Category Archives: Middle Class

vintage travel sign polio epidemic 1916

Panic and Prejudice Go Viral Pt III

Americans are suffering from a serious panic attack, as panic itself has gone viral. Ebola hysteria is spreading faster than the virus itself, creating a climate of fear mongering, misinformation and intolerance. Along with frantic calls for travel restrictions and

vintage travel sign polio epidemic 1916

Panic and Prejudice Go Viral Pt III

Americans are suffering from a serious panic attack, as panic itself has gone viral. Ebola hysteria is spreading faster than the virus itself, creating a climate of fear mongering, misinformation and intolerance. Along with frantic calls for travel restrictions and

Man expressing fear

Panic Gone Viral

Scarier by far than any Grimm’s Brothers fairy tale, or even an episode of the Twilight Zone, were the stories my grandmother would tell about the time a virulent polio epidemic swept through NYC in 1916. While  war raged over

Man expressing fear

Panic Gone Viral

Scarier by far than any Grimm’s Brothers fairy tale, or even an episode of the Twilight Zone, were the stories my grandmother would tell about the time a virulent polio epidemic swept through NYC in 1916. While  war raged over

vintage photo of people No One is Safe

A Paralyzing Fear

  A pandemic of panic seems to have swept the nation. Ebola fear has gone viral, spreading faster than the virus itself. Fear-mongering in the face of an unknown epidemic is nothing new. The panic and the rampant distrust, the

vintage photo of people No One is Safe

A Paralyzing Fear

  A pandemic of panic seems to have swept the nation. Ebola fear has gone viral, spreading faster than the virus itself. Fear-mongering in the face of an unknown epidemic is nothing new. The panic and the rampant distrust, the

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

Housewife vacuuming Electrolux 1950s

What Women Want

Happy days are here again… sexism is not in jeopardy! Once upon a time when patriarchy ruled, the American housewife was perceived as the most envied gal in the world and a new vacuum cleaner was enough to send her

Housewife vacuuming Electrolux 1950s

What Women Want

Happy days are here again… sexism is not in jeopardy! Once upon a time when patriarchy ruled, the American housewife was perceived as the most envied gal in the world and a new vacuum cleaner was enough to send her

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

vintage illustration children at shoe store

Back to School Shoes

It was the day before Labor Day 1957 and the countdown had begun for the end of summer and the new school term. From Long Island to Little Rock, crisp black and white marbled composition notebooks were hastily purchased, and

vintage illustration children at shoe store

Back to School Shoes

It was the day before Labor Day 1957 and the countdown had begun for the end of summer and the new school term. From Long Island to Little Rock, crisp black and white marbled composition notebooks were hastily purchased, and

Vintage illustration childrens book

Saying So Long to Summer

Bidding the Beach Club Goodbye Labor Day signaled the last call at my Grandmothers Long Island beach club. Just as white shoes would make their final appearance of the season, so it was time to bid the sandy white beach

Vintage illustration childrens book

Saying So Long to Summer

Bidding the Beach Club Goodbye Labor Day signaled the last call at my Grandmothers Long Island beach club. Just as white shoes would make their final appearance of the season, so it was time to bid the sandy white beach