Adonis –  a handsome youth, in Greek mythology, loved by Aphrodite, goddess of love. He is also associated with myths of death and regeneration, which is interesting in the context of some of the themes in Death of a Salesman.

 

American cheese – the whipped cheese that Linda is talking about is hard to pin down exactly, but it could actually refer to something like "Cheez Whiz," which was introduced by Kraft in 1953 - a little bit after the play. The first processed cheese ("American") was invented in 1916 and Velveeta in 1928 - both Kraft products. They also came up with the first packaged macaroni and cheese dinner in 1937.

 

B.F. Goodrich – the tire company founded in 1870 in Akron Ohio by Benjamin Franklin Goodrich

 

Bulova – founded as a jewelry company in 1875 in New York City by Bohemian immigrant Joseph Bulova; started manufacturing pocket watches and small clocks in 1911; manufactures first wrist watches in 1919

 

Ebbets Field – home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, opened April 9, 1913; last game was Sept. 24, 1957; demolished Feb. 23, 1960

 

Filenes – department store in Boston, founded by William Filene in 1881

 

Gene Tunney – American boxer, James Joseph Tunney (1898-1978), heavyweight champion 1926-1928, when he retired undefeated

 

Gold Coast diamond mines – Gold Coast, name of Ghana during the British colonial period. Diamond mines are actually found in South Africa.

 

Hercules – hero in Greek mythology known for his strength, courage, and many legendary exploits

 

J.P. Morgan (1837-1913) – one of the most influential bankers in American history

 

Jack Benny (1894-1974) – an American comedian, vaudeville performer, and radio, television, and film actor, was arguably the biggest star in classic American radio and was also a major television attraction.

 

New York Giants – New York’s professional football team since 1927

 

New York State Regents exams – set of standardized tests given to high school students through the New York State Board of Education, in order that they may receive a special diploma

 

Red Grange (1903-1991) – American football player, known as the “galloping ghost;” major college start as well as professional, mostly Chicago Bears

 

saccharine – artificial sweetener, discovered by accident in 1879

 

simonize – to polish, usually a car or other vehicle, with wax; originally the brand name of the product (like Kleenex, or Xerox)

 

Spaulding – sporting goods company, founded in 1850 by baseball player Albert Spaulding (Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs)

 

Studebaker - Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company was a United States wagon and automobile manufacturer that was incorporated in 1868. The company left the automobile business in 1966.  1953 Studebaker Commander Starliner, showing the streamlined design of the 1950s Studebaker. In the 1980s, a multi-national panel of renowned automobile journalists, voted the 1953 Studebaker Starliner "one of the top ten most beautiful automobiles ever made".

 

Thomas Edison (1847-1931) - was an inventor and businessman who developed many devices which greatly influenced life in the 20th Century; most famous for his improvements on the light bulb

 

West Point – United States Military Academy in West Point, NY, founded in 1802

 

wire recorder  – early type of sound recording on steel piano wire, first developed in 1878, with the first commercially successful ones introduced in 1930; between 1947-1952, wire recorders became popular in America and across Europe.

 

Yonkers – city north of New York city, originally settled by the Dutch

 

     Albany, New York

     Bangor, Maine

     Hackensack, New Jersey

     Hartford, Connecticut

     Ketchikan, Alaska

     Portland, Maine

     Providence, Rhode Island

     Waterbury, Connecticut