These images all come from the 1930 University of Texas yearbook. While they reflect some aspects of the culture at the time, you would never know the country was in a depression.
Very little of the yearbook was in color, other than these images. I imagine most students could not afford them at the time, under the circumstances. I know I was never able to afford a university yearbook during my four years.
Here you see a student sweating over his impending exams.
And if you look closely enough at the inside of the yearbook, you can read the date Irene received it!
I present to you the FHA of Italy High School. Not that Italy. The button-nosed one covering up the last syllable of America is so cute, I could eat her up.
Per www.vintagekidstuff.com, both the Future Homemakers of America and the New Homemakers of America (NHA) officially began in June of 1945, working to combine and unify hundreds of home economic clubs in high schools across the US. Boys were allowed to join during the mid-1970s, although why they would want to, I do not know. Perhaps they wanted to promote international good will, as #5 suggests.
But back in 1957, the only purpose a male served was as a manly mascot, the “beau” of the association. I wonder what he did to earn that title?
There he is, jeans cuffed, center stage. Like a shepherd with his sheep. Way to go, Jerry!
If there was an FHA (or even a Home Economics class) in my high school, I was not aware of it. As I only wanted to go to dance clubs and hear trendy tunes, learning to make a home was not my top priority. Little did I know, all I would be making in my 40s was a home. I’ve done dishes, laundry, folding, prescription pick-ups, and bill-paying this morning, and the chicken is defrosting in the sink. And that’s fine. It sure beats working in a fluorescent-lit cubicle.
Among my favorite WWII books that I keep on hand is United We Stand by Richard J. Perry. It’s full of brightly-colored 1940s images, and you know that’s my bag. Unless otherwise noted, all of today’s images come from this book. While I don’t go in for the nudity in many pin-ups, I do appreciate the artistry, skill, and the motive for hanging them–which was to inspire the GIs. (Incidentally, did you know GI stood for “Government Issue”?)
If it were up to me, all pin-ups would keep their clothes on, and wind would not be constantly blowing their skirts up. They might also not look so surprised about the blustery weather. But I admit when I was young, I thought the Vargas girls were just beautiful. I had no idea they served any purpose other than looking pretty.
Upon whichever end of the spectrum you stand, in this world of rampant internet porn and the demise of the iconic Playboy, it’s hard to argue against the fact that pin-up girls made our boys want to stay alive. They helped win the war. Whether it was on the nose or side of the plane……or when they smoked (which was often)…
or on the walls at nightfall…
…these pin-ups reminded our fighting men of home, of their girlfriends, of the home front. Sweet, innocent-looking but scantily clad, hourglass-figured, predominantly wavy-haired young white women. Clean women for dirty thoughts.
I can’t explain it; I’m XX. Women don’t respond to visual stimuli in the manner that men do. We can turn away. We can frankly be bored by it. In fact, I’d wager that if women were doing the fighting, it would be posters of chocolate and wine on the walls. Damn the enemy who takes my freedom to eat dark chocolate pecan delights and sip Riesling! Or maybe the posters would include Matthew McConaughey holding chocolate and wine. But he’d still be wearing pants.
Well, maybe not. In any event, we’d be more realistic about it. We wouldn’t pretend paper boys looked like this. Extra, extra, my clothes are falling off, and I’m in stilettos!
Or that petty officers looked like this.
But if it worked, it worked. Whatever keeps your eye on the prize. Defeat the enemy and come home to touch naked women. Surely the Axis boys had pin-ups, too. Maybe it just came down to which side had the best pin-ups?
Even German hospitals knew what was effective medicine.
The image of Marika Rokk, famed music star in Nazi Germany, may have helped this wounded German soldier heal. But they still lost.
Like it or not, right or wrong, men like attractive naked women. That’s how they’re hardwired, so there’s no point in faulting that. Look at the interior cabin of any semi truck today. By comparison, WWII pin-ups (whether art or photography) would seem tame. I bet it’s pretty raunchy in that cab. It would probably gross me out. But that’s the price of freedom. And thank God for freedom.
In the early 1900s, Dutch schoolchildren covered their hair with bonnets, presumably to keep errant hairs from falling in their Lunchables and Capri Suns come lunchtime. Nobody likes finding hairs in her food, right? Free from the burden of maintaining stylish locks, they could focus on their studies, rather than their appearance. See how carefree and joyful they look?
The Way We Lived-Reader’s Digest
These peaked and winged caps often brought out the mischievous nature of the wearer, especially in combination with the bib known as the kraplap (in case crap falls in your lap?).
As the century progressed, sassy youngsters tilted their hats back to showcase a good bang day (which this girl clearly was not having, but she’s selling it, so props).
In modern times, tradition has not faded, as evidenced by this ruddy-cheeked girl from Volendam, North Holland in the Netherlands. It’s so high, it could conceal a rooster’s comb.
Not your cup of tea? Well, I wouldn’t let the Dutch know, as they are the tallest people on the planet, and could probably pummel you. On average, its women stand 5.6 feet tall, and its men over six feet. Add the bonnet, and they’re giants.
No, this isn’t the Marvelettes, singing that 1962 hit, but I hope it becomes an earworm for you today. 🎶 🎼 🎧 🎤 These images are courtesy of 1930, when talking on the phone required two hands. Multi-tasking be darned!
Do any of you remember the days of five-digit phone numbers (or less), before the seven-digit system?
Fourteen points! Can you imagine buying meat with points? War changed life on the homefront.
Down at Helin’s Grocery, you could take your pick of produce without using your blue ration coupons. That’s a good way to get folks to eat their greens.
Able-bodied men who were not overseas were able to advise ladies on fruit purchases.
But who wants cheap fruit when there’s a bakery nearby?
Smack-dab in the middle of WWII, life went on in small town America.
The Rocket 1943
Fortunately, that wasn’t the only place to go for a Coke date. Baker Pharmacy was also well-stocked.
Aware that their future likely held military enlistment, teen boys from Northeast High School enjoyed the luxury of hometown life, hot food, and picture shows such as World At War.
In the late 1970s, the powers that be decided that foreheads were only useful as a canvas to showcase bangs, and forehead skin should be hidden altogether. By the fall of 1979, most hip teens had followed suit and were ready freddy for school picture day.
Even Caucasion afros came forward. Baby, you make my love come down.
Often, blond boys were indistinguishable from blond girls.
Then there’s this style, which would later morph into the “He wants you, too, Malachi” style from Children of the Corn.
Fashion’s dictates did not exclude any creed nor color. Rules is rules.
This girl missed the memo. She thought Marcia Brady was still groovy. By January, she was being homeschooled.
Judge Reinhold got the memo, but he got it late. Bless his heart.
Covered foreheads made dudes look hot, like poor men’s Oak Ridge Boys. How did the ladies ever decide upon a suitor?
Coveted styles included The FutureDomestic Violencer, The Camaro On Blocks, and The 7-11 Graveyard Shift.
But if the goal was to entirely cover the forehead, to the extent that one’s eyesight was in peril, then there could only be one victor. Steve Wagner, you were that man.
…or when they smoked (which was often)…
Covered foreheads made dudes look hot, like poor men’s Oak Ridge Boys. How did the ladies ever decide upon a suitor?
I Don't Get It 