Category: Photography

The Look Of Education 1964

All of these images come from the 1964 Western New Mexico University yearbook, but I bet if you’re a Boomer from Anywhere, USA, you can relate.

This is what technology was.

And Physical Science was boring as ever.

Not only were there cigarettes, but cigarette girls who pimped them.

People typed on typewriters, and the carriage return made a sound.

They played pinball.

They helped each other balance their checkbooks over coffee.

Not really.

They resorted to violence to resolve domestic issues.

And they relaxed, listening to The Animals sing “House of the Rising Sun.”

 

Happy Birthday To Chuck Berry

1979 Cactus

Yeah, no.

“Yeah, no” is one of comedian Gary Gulman’s least favorite phrases, but it does fit here. While it is in fact Chuck Berry’s birthday, this is not a birthday cake as it appears at first glance. It’s actually Alpha Phi Alpha frat brothers Calvin, Glenn, and Jimmy examining blood samples collected by this bespectacled lady, performing Sickle Cell Anemia screenings.

Not quite the occasion to celebrate, unless your test results were negative.

And as for Chuck Berry, besotted by sex offender crimes and other legal troubles, the man DID have strong quadriceps.

The Cure’s Robert Smith Leaves Stage To Arrest Disorderly Confederate Soldiers

Cactus 79

At least that’s what it looked like to me.

But upon further inspection, it’s not Smith; it’s a UT campus policeman, arresting one of the Kappa Alphas during their traditional (and illegal) “confederate swim” in Littlefield Fountain. Bet that wouldn’t fly nowadays on any side of the aisle.

Halloween 1978

The original Halloween was released 40 years ago, in 1978.

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It still creeps me out. That mask is terrifying.

But the students at the University of Texas in 1978 were fairly tame by comparison. I’m not even sure what the woman on the left is. A younger girl?

These were “50s be-boppers.”

The large Groucho nose was a big deal in the late 70s. Why did everyone have Raggedy Ann cheeks?

Now this is more like it.

I still can’t figure out what was the deal with clowns. At least there’s a vampire here, although his head looks more like Han Solo. 

The saucy wench looks like she’s having the most fun–and it isn’t even dark yet!

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Why Your Grandma Never Had Hair In Her Eyes

Alpha Delta Pi ladies of Indiana University, 1943

One notices in 1940s hairstyles that the hair just beyond the temples was often smooth or pinned back, making the voluminous curled areas appear ever poofier in contrast. Ever wonder why you don’t see pics of these women with long bangs in their faces (like the umpteen actresses on talk shows who constantly wipe their hair to the side)? There’s no Crystal Gayle or Kim K. hair here. And it wasn’t just fashion.

Able-bodied men were overseas, and women were manning the production lines. Long hair (or even one stray lock) could get caught in machines and not only injure the workers, but put production on hold until she was freed. Even Veronica Lake (of the oft-imitated peekaboo hairstyle) changed her style during the war effort, showing the dangers of untamed, unpinned hair.

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This youtube video explains why safety is of the utmost importance during factory work.

The end result is a new and improved, less seductive 4’11” Veronica, donning the updo called the “Victory Roll.” Sleek = Safe. And as you can see in the video, from behind, her hair makes a dazzling V for victory.

Many stars wore them, including Rita Hayworth.

(Photo by Pictorial Parade/Moviepix/Getty Images)

And Betty Grable.

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Now you know why your vintage pin-ups often wear their hair in an updo, and why the Allies won the war.