Category Archives: Suburbia
The Beat of the Suburbs
The suburbs of postwar Long Island silently simmered in a preordained sameness, no more so than in the summer. Summer days were metered out in predictable beats. Smoky backyard barbecues were a ho-hum summer staple of mid-century suburban life, but
The Beat of the Suburbs
The suburbs of postwar Long Island silently simmered in a preordained sameness, no more so than in the summer. Summer days were metered out in predictable beats. Smoky backyard barbecues were a ho-hum summer staple of mid-century suburban life, but
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
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
When Good Humor Ruled the Suburbs
Growing up in mid-century Long Island, no sound was more welcome than the suburban siren call of summer – the seductive jingling bells of the Good Humor truck. Normally at the first ring of that irresistible ding-a-ling-ling, slippery tots would
When Good Humor Ruled the Suburbs
Growing up in mid-century Long Island, no sound was more welcome than the suburban siren call of summer – the seductive jingling bells of the Good Humor truck. Normally at the first ring of that irresistible ding-a-ling-ling, slippery tots would
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
A Wash & Wear Summer
Summertime and the living was easy especially in the post war world of wash n’ wear clothing. Summer and synthetics was a match made in chemical lab heaven. The easy care revolution in textiles was always in full display at
A Wash & Wear Summer
Summertime and the living was easy especially in the post war world of wash n’ wear clothing. Summer and synthetics was a match made in chemical lab heaven. The easy care revolution in textiles was always in full display at
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
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
Kitchen Garden All Year Round
Thanks to war-time research and American know how, growing up in suburban mid-century America I would be the happy recipient of a veritable bushel basket of sun-kissed, vitamin rich fruits and vegetables. No other country we were told “has the
Kitchen Garden All Year Round
Thanks to war-time research and American know how, growing up in suburban mid-century America I would be the happy recipient of a veritable bushel basket of sun-kissed, vitamin rich fruits and vegetables. No other country we were told “has the
A Retro Fathers Day Fit for a King
Once upon a time, but not too long ago, all Dads were king. Not only for a measly third Sunday in June, but to believe the mid-century American advertiser, the head of the household was the sovereign ruler of his
A Retro Fathers Day Fit for a King
Once upon a time, but not too long ago, all Dads were king. Not only for a measly third Sunday in June, but to believe the mid-century American advertiser, the head of the household was the sovereign ruler of his
Selling the Nuclear Family
Has the selling of the 1950’s nuclear family finally reached it’s expiration date? In a consumer culture of unlimited choices, Madison Avenue has long sold only one brand of the American family…and it is now a bit shopworn. Never was
Selling the Nuclear Family
Has the selling of the 1950’s nuclear family finally reached it’s expiration date? In a consumer culture of unlimited choices, Madison Avenue has long sold only one brand of the American family…and it is now a bit shopworn. Never was
Nuclear Family Meltdown
The nuclear family was once as American as the nuclear bomb. But by the end of the 1960’s the nuclear family detonated along with our notion of marriage and motherhood. Parenting and partnering were not a priority for the newly
Nuclear Family Meltdown
The nuclear family was once as American as the nuclear bomb. But by the end of the 1960’s the nuclear family detonated along with our notion of marriage and motherhood. Parenting and partnering were not a priority for the newly
Envisioning The American Dream 