Category: History

Time To Consider Astroturf

Although the dirt is red, this ain’t Oklahoma. It’s Ndendé, a town and capital of the Dola Department in southern Gabon. Never heard of the country of Gabon? Don’t feel bad; its entire population is currently about 2 million. Compare that to the city of Houston, Texas, which is 2.3 million. And back in 1964, when this shot was taken, the country had less than half a million citizens.

by James P. Blair @ NGS

Above, we see John F. Murphy coaching the boy who is about to receive the ball (let’s hope he doesn’t fumble). Murphy was in the Peace Corps and helped to clear playing fields and build schools, so that the kids wouldn’t be stuck under crumbling shanties made of wattle and thatch.

Below, he and others nail siding on to a new school that will protect children from the elements.

Murphy was also a captain in the Marine Corps, and is now a whistleblower lawyer in Hartford, Connecticut. He was known by the townspeople he helped as one of “les blancs qui travaillent” (the white people who work). A bulldozer operator for the Public Works Dept stated, “It is not myself who will see the progress. It is too late for me. But my children will go to school, and they will learn what I have never learned.”

 

Literal Overhead Bin

Turn-of-the-century immigrants at Ellis Island: The 20th Century

She seems so nonchalant about all that pressure on her noggin. For me, it wouldn’t just be the pain, but the balancing issue.

This clever but crazy man constantly shifts his balance to support four carry-on bags.

Again, it looks awful painful. Yet, women all over the world spare their biceps and let their heads do all the hard lifting.

http://www.wijzijnvoetbal.nl

Clothes, water, toiletries–these things make sense to transport on your head, if you’re able. But what I don’t get is this one:

Fat chance getting that goat to stay still.

1933 Austin High School Tumbling Team

The AHS girls’ tumbling team consisted of these five ladies: Henderson, Remund, Silberstein, Piper, and McGill. Remund clearly was distracted.

For anyone familiar with Austin, you will recognize the capitol in the background, before the skyline was a jagged, crowded hodgepodge of skyscrapers.

I love the juxtaposition of the upside-down girls against the vintage cars, but it also raises many questions. Personally, I recall the discomfort of doing Jane Fonda aerobics in my high school cafeteria, especially when the boys walked past us during pelvic raises. One can only surmise how many citizens observed these antics as they passed by in the days prior to registered sex offenders, and how vulnerable these gals may have felt, limbs akimbo. Also, it looks quite painful! What are your thoughts?

Mansplaining Whilst Manspreading

The Recall 1942

At least he looks comfortable, no? The other fella seems pure-D zoned out.

Here’s another pic of students sitting near the steps. They have all chosen to keep their knees together, like ladies do.

We jump from 1942 to 1956 to another group of seated students. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Who is to blame?

This last seated guy–tapping away on his typewriter–appears to be getting all the propers, while Sally (far right) looks on. What a headline, Georgie Boy! Fan-tastic!

Yucca 1946

Long Lost Joe Jackson & Holly Hunter Pic

Western Hills High School 1980

Okay, so it doesn’t look like Papa Joe Jackson (RIP), but it absolutely looks like Holly Hunter circa “Raising Arizona” (desperately in need of some sun). However, it’s just teachers chaperoning a high school dance. Thank God THIS teacher put on a happy face for the dance.

Do you remember those AWFUL cheap plastic cups? Yikes.

Take a look at the students. Do these look like the kind of kids that even NEED chaperoning?

Of course they do! Poor Midget…

You won’t find a pay phone in a high school these days.

I think this last one is my favorite.

What a sexy Travolta!

You Really Need To Get Your Schlitztogether

1957

And the award for best illustration of ale with squirrels, accordions, and ascots goes to…

Schlitz! Y’all, this ad did its job. It actually makes me wants Schlitz, despite the fact that I would never order a 4.6% ABV beer because that’s just wasting my time. My mouth tells me to rebuke the “Schlitzness” but my eyes say “Carry on, my wayward daughter.”

Seriously, tell me, doesn’t this look like more fun than a barrel of monkeys?

You Can’t Always Get What You Want

This kiddo wishes he were ANYWHERE but under the tree with these losers. Perhaps he’s upset because he received a Norma pencil.

At least these parents know how to make their daughter’s Christmas a bright one.

I’d think you could use that pram for a real baby, no?

But the best gift by far is always a car.  Especially if it’s a Cadillac.

Just Between Friends

Whether it’s a smile shared at a football game…

or a couple bottles of beer sipped over late afternoon conversation…

or a high school huddle…

or two pensioners out in fall weather, hunting for the perfect pumpkin…

QuotePixel.com

The Final Bell Rings

School is finally out today in central Texas, where we’ve already experienced 100 degree days and no rain in sight. In two months, school will resume, with seven weeks left of summer at that point. Who makes the rules around here?

But 60 years ago, 100 degree days were rare, and I’m told that school actually started in September. In June of 1958, LIFE profiled Hempstead High School in Long Island up until their last day of graduation.

The white graduation gowns give ladies angel wings.

Harry Greene said, “Band and football have been the big things in my life at Hempstead High. Nothing like a tuba for keeping your wind in trim for the Saturday game.” But did he play both on the field AND during halftime?

Of Helen Ignelzi, both the Spanish and French teacher, students said, “A typhoon in the classroom. She had a way of looking at you over the tops of those half-glasses, which kept you on your toes. And she was a fanatic on irregular verbs!”

These students enjoyed the fall weather while cheering on a Tigers touchdown.

At the annual Greek Games, these ladies made fine Athenian horses with their chariot.

On Old Clothes Day, students sported unfashionable outfits. Harriet Hills, on the right, said, “This is the last thing in sacks. They make an hourglass figure look like a Mason jar. I come from Kentucky and always wanted to be a hillbilly.”

And lastly, we have Richard Lane and Mary Lou Albright. Mary Lou declared, “Everyone has her favorite memory of Hempstead. Mine will always be the senior prom where I felt like Cinderella in my pumpkin dress.”

Well, that wraps it up for the 1958 graduating class, who would all be around 78 years old now. Never forget you’re a tiger!