Five Memories of Friday

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“My mum always used to buy a record every Friday.”– Elton John

“I’m half Puerto Rican, and every Friday we have rice and beans and chicken in my house – so that’s like a very Latin staple. It’s just so comforting. I look forward to every single Friday because I just can’t wait for my rice and beans and chicken.”–Victoria Justice

“I understand what’s it like to work all week and on Friday night just want to go and leave your brain at the door, buy some popcorn and be thrilled by something.”–Don Cheadle

“Happy Days, which we did for 11 years, we did with three cameras in front of a live audience. Very special. We had a party every Friday night. The boys, Ron, Henry, they grew up on that show.”– Marion Ross

“That smell of freshly cut grass makes me think of Friday night football in high school. The smell of popcorn and cigar smoke reminds me of the stadium. The cutting of the grass reminds me of the August practice.”– Garth Brooks

Fight ‘Em, Then Light ‘Em

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In the fall of 1945, WWII had just ended, and colleges anticipated increased enrollment from students on the G.I. Bill. Soldiers had received free cigarettes while enlisted, so it’s not surprising that the habit remained when they returned home. Tobacco companies had initially targeted the military during WWI through the distribution of cigarettes to servicemen, and by WWII, they were included in rations. The Red Cross even distributed free cigarettes to the troops. 

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Despite mounting evidence in the 1950s of the adverse health effects of smoking and tobacco use, the military continued to include cigarettes in rations until 1975 (wikipedia). Old habits died hard. This image from the fall of 1945 shows a student lighting up before class.

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Swollen enrollment meant swollen ashtrays.

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Pipes were popular, as evidenced by students, as well as advertising.

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I admit it; I enjoy the smell of pipe smoke. KU-Fall45003

Even student protesters paused for a smoke break.

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And as we know, sex sells. Hence, the cigarette girl. She was the Coyote Ugly of cigarettes.

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In the event that some students may have forgotten their ABCs, this strikingly colorful ad on the back cover of this Jayhawker reminded them. Chesterfield=home runs!

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Varga A Little AFreud

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As we’ve seen in prior posts like Steve McQueen, universities back in the day would ask celebrity males to objectify judge the female beauties on campus for fun and entertainment. In this 1943 Jayhawker commencement issue, pin-up artist Alberto Varga did the honors.

Jayhawker43-Commencement004Chris from the muscleheaded blog should appreciate this. A copy of the letter is included:

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And the winner was…Grace McCandless!

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Vulcanizers In The Motor Age, Part II

This 1919 Motor Age magazine is chock full of great images, so make sure you checked out Part I.Motor Age1919011 Perfection Asbestos. Isn’t that redundant? Motor Age1919012But it’s not just ads; Detroit was concerned with safety. Motor Age1919003 And they had plans for the car of the future. Motor Age1919004 One article discussed autogenous welding in automotive repairs. Motor Age1919013And of course, there are the cars themselves, including this bullet-shaped Fiat.

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Thanks for spending some time in the past, in a time before all of us were born.

Vulcanizers In The Motor Age, Part I

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I spent last night, flipping through a 1919 Motor Age, browning and brittling as it nears the century mark. I wish I could post all 150 pages, as interesting as they are, but of course, you would fall asleep by page 20. As I am no Kerbey the Riveter, I know nothing about machines or cars in general, so most of these words my mouth had never spoken. Vulcanizers, carborundum valves, aloxite wheels?

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I don’t know what a “jobber” is, but the magazine is filled with the term. And who’s this Dutch girl?

Motor Age 1919Between the Velie Six and the Cleveland Six, I hadn’t heard of half the automobile manufacturers. See how many of these you recognize.

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Here’s the Cleveland Six. Ain’t she a beaut?

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Check out this handy luggage carrier. So convenient!

Motor Age1919008With “The War” having ended only the year prior, life was getting better and better.

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Stay tuned for Part II, as we discover more of the 95-yr-old Motor Age.