Historical information

This bottle of liquid floor polish was manufactured before 1960(taken over by Wattyl) in a period when most of the floors in high traffic areas were covered in linoleum. Most of the floors using this product during this period would have been kitchens and laundries. During this period the cleanliness of the kitchen, hallways and eateries had to appear clean (cleanliness was a sign of a bacteria free area). This was a priority for kitchens, mess areas(SEC Hydro Scheme facilities) and connecting walkways. The cleanliness attitude was enhanced in the rural areas due to the "dirty" farm work not impinging upon the residential home.When Mount Beauty was first inhabited all the residential and worker's facilities were a prime area for linoleum floor surfaces. The liquid floor polish was in great demand, "a polished floor is a clean floor".

Significance

This bottle of liquid floor polish is very significant to the Kiewa Valley, not only that it covers the floors of every home and residential barracks of the first major development of a "town" now known as Mount Beauty but also it demonstrates that the "cleanliness" approach of early Australians living areas in the rural regions was "on par" with its city cousins. It is the smaller types of mores that underlie the "mushrooming" cultural and psyche "wholeness" of an ever expanding Australian culture.

Physical description

This brown opaque glass bottle with an oblong shape has a blue coloured "screw on" cap. It has a "wrap around" label glued firmly on the bottle and covers the front and sides.

Inscriptions & markings

On the front main label under a red line, "SPARTAN" underneath in smaller print "For use on" below this, "LINOLEUM, RUBBER, COMPOSITION AND HARDWOOD FLOORS" besides this is an encircled Trade Mark of a "Spartan Warrior holding a spear and shield" these word follow the curviture of the circle and are below it "TRADE MARK REGISTERED" Below this are "SUPER FLOOR GLOSS" to the left in very small print "Nett Contents 16 Fluid Ounces". Below this on a blue background and in white print"LIQUID FLOOR WAX WATER REPELLENT". On the bottom of the label "Made under licence by HARDIE TRADING LIMITED for SPARTAN PAINTS PTY, LIMITED" below this in small print "Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Launceston, Geelong. Embossed on the bootm of the glass is" G/M