Our History
Oh.
We've been around.
Back at the dawn of recorded history there were scribblers who made their marks on cave walls. Even back then, when hunter-gathers assembled in their dingy caves to celebrate surviving, the efforts of certain cave painters stood out from the inferior scrawls of their neighbors. Thousands of years later their work still awes. Most have forgotten their names, but we know that among those superior artists, some were called “Simmons”.
Back at the dawn of recorded history there were scribblers who made their marks on cave walls. Even back then, when hunter-gathers assembled in their dingy caves to celebrate surviving, the efforts of certain cave painters stood out from the inferior scrawls of their neighbors. Thousands of years later their work still awes. Most have forgotten their names, but we know that among those superior artists, some were called “Simmons”.
A prehistoric example of Simmons illustration, circa 15,000 BC (Lascaux, France).
Replicated for web viewing with Photoshop.
An ancient Simmons hieroglyph, circa 3,000 BC (Luxor, Egypt). Replicated for web viewing with Photoshop.
Then came agriculture, and mankind was off and running. In times of plenty mankind was less preoccupied with placing food on the table, and with time for leisure the beauty of fine draftsmanship flourished. Depictions of human triumph were no longer hidden underground, but were emblazoned upon the greatest architectural monuments of the day.
Again there were typical scribes, draftsmen,
architects, and painters, and there were those considered exceptional. Members
of the Simmons lineage continued to be in the latter group. Over time theses
artisan intellectuals formed their own secret society, the Illustrati, which commanded
and unified the various skilled trades. Under their guidance accomplishments in
art and science were not only preserved throughout the Middle Ages, but were focused
on maintaining civil order. Some say the Illustrati are still about, still exerting
enormous social clout. We'll never tell.
With the invention of
the printing press the power and impact of graphics took a huge leap forward. Art
on printed stock was suddenly everywhere. The age known as the Renaissance had
begun and the power of illustration reached new heights. Seemingly overnight,
influential diagrams, maps, caricatures, and drawings were published and posted
in all major cities. Ideas were shared at a speed never before witnessed.
At some point during
this excitement a portion of the Simmons clan relocated to the New World. In the
colonial New World graphics were once again employed to motivate the masses.
For example, during the Revolution pamphlets and broadsides, the high tech of
the day, had enormous impact. Then, like now, opinions were formed based on
what people could comprehend, and drawings make ideas easier to comprehend. The
imagery provided by Simmons descendants focused attention and guided the interests of the general public
exactly as our founding fathers intended.
Once liberty was
secured, the family of Simmons craftsman turned to more lucrative pursuits. For
generations they turned out essential illustrations for the growing commerce of
America. Capitalism is dependent on the creation of desire. Desires are fueled
by visions of what can be. It followed logically that economic growth and the
advertising that depicts products went hand in hand. So, as the new nation
prospered, so did the American arm of the Illustrati.
And when the economy soured or the stock market tanked
we didn’t panic. We took Yankee ingenuity to new levels by thinking outside the
box, like we always do, and quietly designed and printed our own money.
Being successful is not all about money. It is about higher ideals and leadership. During the war years we did our part. We conserved ink, we participated in scrap eraser and paperclip drives, and we made artistic ordnance.
Trippy album art of the 60s. And the concept was ahead of its time, dude.
Emerging from the war years victorious and with our mediocrity intact, we joined in the psychedelic explosion that accompanied prosperity. Black lights, fluorescent and day glow colors. Wow, man.
Simmons Illustration
has long been involved in cutting edge government research; from the Gatling
Spray Gun of the Civil War, to the recently de-classified Simmons X-1 Rocket
Pen, the X-2 Skywriter Rocketpack Pen, the X-3 All Terrain Mega Pen, and current
classified projects that cannot yet be mentioned.
To this day, Simmons
Illustration remains working quietly behind the scenes, subconsciously
influencing aesthetics. Our visuals continue to exert a subtle, irresistible
influence on public discourse; inserting memes, directing attention, inspiring,
and deflating as the situation demands. Simmons Illustration; steering society
towards a brighter future! After all, what do you think brought you here?
Really? Think about it.
