Category Archives: Gender

vintage ad to gain weight for women

No Bodies Perfect- Even Barbie

I’m worried about Petite Barbie. Now that America’s ideal beauty standards are evolving as full-figured, voluptuous bodies like Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé have become iconic and widely emulated, newly minted Petite Barbie may suffer the indignity of lingering on the

vintage ad to gain weight for women

No Bodies Perfect- Even Barbie

I’m worried about Petite Barbie. Now that America’s ideal beauty standards are evolving as full-figured, voluptuous bodies like Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé have become iconic and widely emulated, newly minted Petite Barbie may suffer the indignity of lingering on the

chubbettes ad

Barbie’s Body Evolves

News flash: Barbie’s got some junk in her trunk! After nearly 57 years, Barbie is finally packing on some healthy pounds and she’s not rushing to sign up with Jenny Craig to shed them! In fact she’s quite okay with

chubbettes ad

Barbie’s Body Evolves

News flash: Barbie’s got some junk in her trunk! After nearly 57 years, Barbie is finally packing on some healthy pounds and she’s not rushing to sign up with Jenny Craig to shed them! In fact she’s quite okay with

vintage photo pulp fiction woman

Remembering Abortion Before Roe v Wade

Today on the 43rd anniversary of Roe V Wade and with the Supreme Court set to revisit  women’s fundamental right to access abortion in the Whole Woman’s Health v Cole Case, the most serious threat to abortion rights since 1992-

vintage photo pulp fiction woman

Remembering Abortion Before Roe v Wade

Today on the 43rd anniversary of Roe V Wade and with the Supreme Court set to revisit  women’s fundamental right to access abortion in the Whole Woman’s Health v Cole Case, the most serious threat to abortion rights since 1992-

I was Curious vintage Schlitz Beer ad 1946

Test Your Retro Gaydar

I’m curious. How’s your mid-century gaydar? If it doesn’t go off checking out these series of vintage advertisements, it needs some fine tuning. During the same  post war period as the film Carol recreates, Madison Avenue captured that same curious

I was Curious vintage Schlitz Beer ad 1946

Test Your Retro Gaydar

I’m curious. How’s your mid-century gaydar? If it doesn’t go off checking out these series of vintage advertisements, it needs some fine tuning. During the same  post war period as the film Carol recreates, Madison Avenue captured that same curious

vintage illustration man in slimming garment

Mid Section Sag and The Mid Century Man

A perennial favorite for many New Year resolution makers is to lose weight and get in shape. For men a flat belly has always been a manly badge of honor. But why work a sweat to sculpt your abs? For

vintage illustration man in slimming garment

Mid Section Sag and The Mid Century Man

A perennial favorite for many New Year resolution makers is to lose weight and get in shape. For men a flat belly has always been a manly badge of honor. But why work a sweat to sculpt your abs? For

Vintage Illustration Sitting at Paris Cafes

Drawn to Paris

I was a Francophile by the time I was five. Even as a toddler I was drawn to Paris. Literally. From the tender age of three until about seven, I was known as “Pierre the Artist.” More precisely, I insisted

Vintage Illustration Sitting at Paris Cafes

Drawn to Paris

I was a Francophile by the time I was five. Even as a toddler I was drawn to Paris. Literally. From the tender age of three until about seven, I was known as “Pierre the Artist.” More precisely, I insisted

vintage illustration mother daughter walking in gas station rest room

There Are No HERO’s in Houston

Once upon a time the only fear we had about using a public rest room was whether it was clean or not. “Nothing is more welcome to experienced motorists than a Texaco Restroom sign,” begins the copy on this 1941

vintage illustration mother daughter walking in gas station rest room

There Are No HERO’s in Houston

Once upon a time the only fear we had about using a public rest room was whether it was clean or not. “Nothing is more welcome to experienced motorists than a Texaco Restroom sign,” begins the copy on this 1941

vintage cover Cartoon Book Confucius Say

Wise Man Say: Politically Incorrect Comic No Funny

In the joke books we are never going to see again department, an honorary mention goes to this well-worn 1940 book Confucius Say which for a mere 25 cents manages to offend both women and Asian Americans in one fell

vintage cover Cartoon Book Confucius Say

Wise Man Say: Politically Incorrect Comic No Funny

In the joke books we are never going to see again department, an honorary mention goes to this well-worn 1940 book Confucius Say which for a mere 25 cents manages to offend both women and Asian Americans in one fell

vintage sexist Wife Beater Permit

Domestic Violence- No Joke

Who says there’s nothing funny about domestic violence? For some mid-century men, beating your wife was not only condoned, but provided an endless source of  belly laughs and good-natured guffaws. What red-blooded all American man  in 1957 wouldn’t be tickled

vintage sexist Wife Beater Permit

Domestic Violence- No Joke

Who says there’s nothing funny about domestic violence? For some mid-century men, beating your wife was not only condoned, but provided an endless source of  belly laughs and good-natured guffaws. What red-blooded all American man  in 1957 wouldn’t be tickled

vintage illustration woman upset

Controlling Women’s Bodies – Risky Business

If some right-wing fanatics have their way, every day will be Throwback Thursday if they stop government funding of Planned Parenthood. Other than in the retro world of Republicans who seem nostalgic for those pre Roe V Wade days, there

vintage illustration woman upset

Controlling Women’s Bodies – Risky Business

If some right-wing fanatics have their way, every day will be Throwback Thursday if they stop government funding of Planned Parenthood. Other than in the retro world of Republicans who seem nostalgic for those pre Roe V Wade days, there