kengr

Just yesterday I was reading a nice story when I got jolted by an elementary goof.

It was set in the early 60s (references to Gone With the Wind in the theaters, ticket prices, and a few other things). The writer had a character find out that a restaurant had Pepsi products, so she orders a Sierra Mist.

Instant disconnect. I knew Sierra Mist was a lot newer than that. A quick search revealed that it was introduced in 1999. A bit more digging (my memories of the time made it a bit faster, but it wouldn't have taken much longer without them) revealed that at the time Pepsi's answer to 7Up was Teem. (which, btw is still sold in some countries).

A while later, the time period is tied down to 1960-1963 by references to Jackie Kennedy being the President's wife.

Not long after we have the character being checked out by a doctor because there are indications of something odd internally. So they schedule a *ultrasound*. And it gets done with a handheld unit.

A bit more googling reveals that the first commercial ultrasound units went on sale in 1963 and were fairly large units on a jointed arm assembly (rather like dental X-ray units still are).

Folks, if you are going to write anything set in a period more than a few years in the past *especially* if you weren't an adult during said period, either get someone who *was* an adult to look it over or do a *lot* of research.

I recall having to point out to another writer that their story (also set in the early 60s) had someone using a credit card at a number of different stores. Problem is, back then, while they had "charge plates" (they were metal, not plastic) they were only good at a specific store or chain. You might have one for Sears or Bon Marche, but neither was good at the other.

On top of that they had prices *totally* screwed up. Way high for the period.

Yeah, looking up prices is a pain. Which is why if you aren't going to look it up *don't mention them*.