Category Archives: History

Kent State sweatshirt Urban Outfitters 2014

Urban Outfitters Makes a Bloody Mistake

File this under bad taste. If one is to believe Urban Outfitters, famous for their controversial items, nothing says vintage-fun like a blood spattered Kent State sweatshirt; a nostalgic reminder of those crazy collegiate antics of the 1970s. The hip

Kent State sweatshirt Urban Outfitters 2014

Urban Outfitters Makes a Bloody Mistake

File this under bad taste. If one is to believe Urban Outfitters, famous for their controversial items, nothing says vintage-fun like a blood spattered Kent State sweatshirt; a nostalgic reminder of those crazy collegiate antics of the 1970s. The hip

Remembering The World Trade Center

News of the 9/11 tragedy found its way to me through the antiquated airwaves of a vintage Bakelite radio. Only days before, I had moved from the New York I loved to one of its  leafy suburbs. Without cable or

Remembering The World Trade Center

News of the 9/11 tragedy found its way to me through the antiquated airwaves of a vintage Bakelite radio. Only days before, I had moved from the New York I loved to one of its  leafy suburbs. Without cable or

Nevada Test Site Postcard

Nuclear Family Vacation in the Nuclear Age

  Vacationing was a real blast in the Atomic Age! For a merry-go-round of real nuclear family fun, no trip out west was truly complete without a visit to the Nevada Test Site for a bird’s-eye view of a genuine

Nevada Test Site Postcard

Nuclear Family Vacation in the Nuclear Age

  Vacationing was a real blast in the Atomic Age! For a merry-go-round of real nuclear family fun, no trip out west was truly complete without a visit to the Nevada Test Site for a bird’s-eye view of a genuine

vintage illustration at the beach 1950s

The Missiles and Sandcastles of Summer

As eyebrows are raised as Russia tests a new ground launched cruise missile, my thoughts drifted to those pre-test treaty times when the sight of a truck toting  a missile was just part of Cold war summer fun. Summer beach

vintage illustration at the beach 1950s

The Missiles and Sandcastles of Summer

As eyebrows are raised as Russia tests a new ground launched cruise missile, my thoughts drifted to those pre-test treaty times when the sight of a truck toting  a missile was just part of Cold war summer fun. Summer beach

An Atomic Fairy Tale

  1950 was Cinderella’s year. My mother Betty knew it was an omen. After 6 long years of waiting, Disney’s much anticipated movie, Cinderella was finally opening and now Betty Joseph’s days of waiting were over too- she was getting

An Atomic Fairy Tale

  1950 was Cinderella’s year. My mother Betty knew it was an omen. After 6 long years of waiting, Disney’s much anticipated movie, Cinderella was finally opening and now Betty Joseph’s days of waiting were over too- she was getting

vintage woman dressed in revolutionary war outfit drumming

Happy July Fourth

  Have a Smokin’ Independence Day!

vintage woman dressed in revolutionary war outfit drumming

Happy July Fourth

  Have a Smokin’ Independence Day!

suburbs barbecue 57

All American Barbecue

The Smell of Democracy in the Air Every July 4th our split level development would be shrouded by the smoke of burning charcoal, the sizzling smell of democracy was in the air. Besides a parade, nothing was more quintessentially American

suburbs barbecue 57

All American Barbecue

The Smell of Democracy in the Air Every July 4th our split level development would be shrouded by the smoke of burning charcoal, the sizzling smell of democracy was in the air. Besides a parade, nothing was more quintessentially American

vintage image men and woman in sunglasses 1960

Celebrating Sunglasses

Break out your Wayfarers…today is National Sunglasses Day! Accustomed to sporting cool shades I have of late been seen skulking about in those oversize, black, wraparound sunglasses so very chic amongst the senior set in Bocca Raton. Though hardly ready

vintage image men and woman in sunglasses 1960

Celebrating Sunglasses

Break out your Wayfarers…today is National Sunglasses Day! Accustomed to sporting cool shades I have of late been seen skulking about in those oversize, black, wraparound sunglasses so very chic amongst the senior set in Bocca Raton. Though hardly ready

painting Paul Cadmus YMCA Locker Room

Locked in The American Dream Closet

In the 1930’s. my bachelor  Uncle Harry was a social realist painter who learned the bitter social realities that surrounded a gay man in early 20th century America. Trained under artist John Sloan, the well known Social Realist  at N.Y.C’s

painting Paul Cadmus YMCA Locker Room

Locked in The American Dream Closet

In the 1930’s. my bachelor  Uncle Harry was a social realist painter who learned the bitter social realities that surrounded a gay man in early 20th century America. Trained under artist John Sloan, the well known Social Realist  at N.Y.C’s

vintage illustration Victory garden

Victory Gardens in WWII

  In urban areas across the country vacant lots are filled with sights of neighbors pulling weeds, planting seeds and tending heirloom tomatoes. Overnight city rooftops have sprouted lush gardens. “Tarbeachs” once reserved for city sunning, now produces organic vegetables

vintage illustration Victory garden

Victory Gardens in WWII

  In urban areas across the country vacant lots are filled with sights of neighbors pulling weeds, planting seeds and tending heirloom tomatoes. Overnight city rooftops have sprouted lush gardens. “Tarbeachs” once reserved for city sunning, now produces organic vegetables