Category: Nostalgia

Pin-Ups Killed Hitler

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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…UnitedWeStand007…or when they smoked (which was often)…

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or on the walls at nightfall…UnitedWeStand003

…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.

http://www.joblo.com/
http://www.joblo.com/

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!

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Or that petty officers looked like this.

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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.

http://www.ww2incolor.com/
http://www.ww2incolor.com/

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.

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Preventing Bad Hair Days In The Netherlands

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
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?).

http://folkcostume.blogspot.com/
http://folkcostume.blogspot.com/

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).

http://www.indochinavoyages.com/where-do-these-hats-come-from/
http://www.indochinavoyages.com/where-do-these-hats-come-from/

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.

http://www.laanyacht.nl/
http://www.laanyacht.nl/

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.

Telephone Types

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“Daddy-yo said nix on the heap…” Not familiar with that jargon? Perhaps you remember shoving into telephone booths as a lark? Jimmy Fallon did a sketch recently with Shaq and Hugh Jackman in phone booths.

Oklahoma Sooners '64
Oklahoma Sooners ’64

Perhaps you recall standing in line at the dorm, just to call your best gal? Come on, Dan. Wrap it up!

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I’m too young to remember any of that. But I do remember my mom’s office desk looked like this in the 70s.

UT 1976
UT 1976

Do you suppose anyone uses a Rolodex these days? I still use my address book, but it’ s only about a year old. Nice and sturdy.

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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?

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Eat Those Leftovers, Dagnabbit

www.buzzfeed.com
http://www.buzzfeed.com

While you are pigging out gluttonously this Black Friday, don’t forget that stars are pigging out, too. They may be purging later, but don’t you make that mistake. Your relatives slaved over those dishes. Speaking of slaving, here’s our favorite pinafored redhead cooking a roast.

www.buzzfeed.com
http://www.buzzfeed.com

Judy Garland may not have been over the rainbow, but I bet she was over the moon about this chicken.
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Marilyn gets some help from a swarthy friend, while donning an inappropriate halter dress. Even Giada wouldn’t wear that in the kitchen.

Marilyn Monroe cooking

Now Giada would wear this. Can any man resist Sophia Loren’s pasta-making skills?

www.buzzfeed.com
http://www.buzzfeed.com

For the ladies, here’s Ol’ Blue Eyes about to dunk his doughnut in 1950.

buzzfeed again, you guys
buzzfeed again, you guys

Rita Hayworth seems to be taking an awfully big bite in that easily-stainable white bikini. And is that a sea monkey at her feet?

pinterest
pinterest

Inside Lincoln, Nebraska 1943, Part III

Rocket 1943 Yearbook

Today we wrap up the series on Lincoln Nebraska during 1943. All of these pics were taken from the Northeast High School Yearbook, otherwise lost to posterity. I’m so glad to preserve these images digitally, and thereby preserve bits of history.

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“Making these for defense?” I don’t know how a hog house aids defense, but there’s a lot I don’t know. Like the words “Modernage” and “dirndl.” Maybe a dirndl dress was a good distraction from the worry of brothers and boyfriends fighting overseas.

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Meanwhile, back at the hatchery…Rocket43-HillHatchery

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Here a woman reviews wallpaper samples at Van Sickle’s Paint Store, and a couple checks out rakes at the hardware store.

Even though life wasn’t “business as usual,” a little butter and rouge could help preserve a lady’s sanity.

Thanks for joining me on this glimpse into Lincoln!

Inside Lincoln, Nebraska 1943, Part II

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Rocket43-Armstrong

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.

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Able-bodied men who were not overseas were able to advise ladies on fruit purchases.

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But who wants cheap fruit when there’s a bakery nearby?

Rocket43--HarmonyBakery
Harmony Bakery

Inside Lincoln, Nebraska 1943, Part I

Smack-dab in the middle of WWII, life went on in small town America.

The Rocket 1943
The Rocket 1943

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Fortunately, that wasn’t the only place to go for a Coke date. Baker Pharmacy was also well-stocked.

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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.

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