Category Archives: American Way

vintage photo 1930s nightclub

Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer for Hipsters and Hi Society

Who would have guessed Pabst Blue Ribbon that iconic working class beer ironically embraced by hipsters has a pedigree more blue blood than blue-collar. 75 years ago Pabst positioned itself to appeal to the “gay, smart modern set” hoping members

vintage photo 1930s nightclub

Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer for Hipsters and Hi Society

Who would have guessed Pabst Blue Ribbon that iconic working class beer ironically embraced by hipsters has a pedigree more blue blood than blue-collar. 75 years ago Pabst positioned itself to appeal to the “gay, smart modern set” hoping members

vintage illustration army enlistment

Join the Army See the World

No matter the season, mid-century Americans in unprecedented numbers were venturing out into the cold war world traveling abroad as never before spending billions of dollars on fun for all vacations. But tourists weren’t the only ones packing their passports

vintage illustration army enlistment

Join the Army See the World

No matter the season, mid-century Americans in unprecedented numbers were venturing out into the cold war world traveling abroad as never before spending billions of dollars on fun for all vacations. But tourists weren’t the only ones packing their passports

Indian Graphic Milton Glaser 1967

Redskins in Heap Big Trouble

Many are on the warpath over the use of the offensive name Redskins. The debate over the Washington football team Redskins name made national television this past week. Not only did South Park dedicate its season premier to skewering the

Indian Graphic Milton Glaser 1967

Redskins in Heap Big Trouble

Many are on the warpath over the use of the offensive name Redskins. The debate over the Washington football team Redskins name made national television this past week. Not only did South Park dedicate its season premier to skewering the

1960s housewife laundry

Plugged into the American Dream

  In 1956 happy homemaker Helen Watson didn’t give a hoot about leaving carbon footprints; in fact if one were pointed out to her she’d most likely plug-in her powerful Electrolux vacuum and sweep it all away. Was she concerned

1960s housewife laundry

Plugged into the American Dream

  In 1956 happy homemaker Helen Watson didn’t give a hoot about leaving carbon footprints; in fact if one were pointed out to her she’d most likely plug-in her powerful Electrolux vacuum and sweep it all away. Was she concerned

Vintage Packard Car Ad 1937

Envy and the American Dream

Screen Envy Happy days are here again… the new iPhone is out! An uncharacteristic hush descended on my local Starbucks today as a wave of envy swept through the coffee-house. As if in unison, covetous coffee drinkers looked up from

Vintage Packard Car Ad 1937

Envy and the American Dream

Screen Envy Happy days are here again… the new iPhone is out! An uncharacteristic hush descended on my local Starbucks today as a wave of envy swept through the coffee-house. As if in unison, covetous coffee drinkers looked up from

Teddy Roosevelt

Teddy Roosevelt Empire Builder

America has a long history of flexing our formidable global muscles, confident that our take charge performance, and American ways would be gladly received wherever we went. If the American Century began in earnest in post war America it had

Teddy Roosevelt

Teddy Roosevelt Empire Builder

America has a long history of flexing our formidable global muscles, confident that our take charge performance, and American ways would be gladly received wherever we went. If the American Century began in earnest in post war America it had

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

vintage illustration policeman

Our Friend The Policeman

How is our friend the policeman helping to keep the streets safe?

vintage illustration policeman

Our Friend The Policeman

How is our friend the policeman helping to keep the streets safe?

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