Posts Tagged: history

Pools, Polio and a Mid-Century Miracle

Against the carefree fun of a 1960 summer lingered not-so-old fears of Polio. I would have been very happy spending all day in the turquoise tiled pool at my grandmothers suburban beach club  splashing about till all my digits puckered.

Pools, Polio and a Mid-Century Miracle

Against the carefree fun of a 1960 summer lingered not-so-old fears of Polio. I would have been very happy spending all day in the turquoise tiled pool at my grandmothers suburban beach club  splashing about till all my digits puckered.

How to Keep Your Cool in The Cold War

Hot Summer…Cold War Pt V The first cracks in my mid-century American dream appeared some 50 years ago this summer.  Raising the heat of the Cold War a tense President Kennedy appeared on National television 51 years ago this week

How to Keep Your Cool in The Cold War

Hot Summer…Cold War Pt V The first cracks in my mid-century American dream appeared some 50 years ago this summer.  Raising the heat of the Cold War a tense President Kennedy appeared on National television 51 years ago this week

(L)Vintage Ad Beer belongs 1950s (R) Vintage illustration Atom Bomb blast

Hot Summer Cold War

The steamy summer of 1961 may have been sweltering, but the Cold War had moved into a deep freeze by July putting a glacial chill in the balmy summer air . Hovering right beneath the surface of that sunny glow

(L)Vintage Ad Beer belongs 1950s (R) Vintage illustration Atom Bomb blast

Hot Summer Cold War

The steamy summer of 1961 may have been sweltering, but the Cold War had moved into a deep freeze by July putting a glacial chill in the balmy summer air . Hovering right beneath the surface of that sunny glow

Sun, Sand and JFK

The  Presidential race that dominated the sizzling summer of 1960- a spectacle of pure showmanship filled with hoopla and chutzpah, showboating and glad handling – paled in comparison to my grandmothers beach club, itself crawling with glitter and glamor. In

Sun, Sand and JFK

The  Presidential race that dominated the sizzling summer of 1960- a spectacle of pure showmanship filled with hoopla and chutzpah, showboating and glad handling – paled in comparison to my grandmothers beach club, itself crawling with glitter and glamor. In

Rosie The Riveter’s Swimsuit Romance

It was a sweltering summer in 1943 and along with most war-weary Americans, Rosie the Riveter needed a day off. In the heat and stickiness of summer everybody was tired, dog tired, completely fed up with neckties, girdles, time clocks,

Rosie The Riveter’s Swimsuit Romance

It was a sweltering summer in 1943 and along with most war-weary Americans, Rosie the Riveter needed a day off. In the heat and stickiness of summer everybody was tired, dog tired, completely fed up with neckties, girdles, time clocks,

1950s face kids smiling

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

1950s face kids smiling

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

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

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 wedding

The Gay Bachelor And The Bride

Next to the waiter passing the champagne, my confirmed bachelor Great Uncle Harry was the most sought after man at a mid-century wedding. Vivacious and gay with wavy hair the color of honey, lush black eyelashes shading come hither eyes,

vintage illustration wedding

The Gay Bachelor And The Bride

Next to the waiter passing the champagne, my confirmed bachelor Great Uncle Harry was the most sought after man at a mid-century wedding. Vivacious and gay with wavy hair the color of honey, lush black eyelashes shading come hither eyes,

GI Joe To Joe College

Once upon a time colleges and home ownership were a privilege reserved for the rich. As the cost of 4 years of college education escalates between $100,00 and $200,000 we  may end up replicating  those pre- WWII times. It was

GI Joe To Joe College

Once upon a time colleges and home ownership were a privilege reserved for the rich. As the cost of 4 years of college education escalates between $100,00 and $200,000 we  may end up replicating  those pre- WWII times. It was

Matriculating Into Mid Century Matrimony

June is the month-long associated with graduates and brides and it wasn’t that long ago that they were often one and the same thing. Most young women in the 1950’s and early 1960’s were convinced that the basic occupation of

Matriculating Into Mid Century Matrimony

June is the month-long associated with graduates and brides and it wasn’t that long ago that they were often one and the same thing. Most young women in the 1950’s and early 1960’s were convinced that the basic occupation of