1940's Biker Chicks

Before the 1950's, motorcycles did not have as much of an "outlaw" image as in later years, and they were often just an alternative form of transportation, not a vehicle of rebellion or rich folk's toy.  Here we have a photo, posted on Rivet Head, of two ladies and their Harley Davidsons in the 1940's.

Baby Needs A New Pair Of Shoes! Got A Ration Book?

Sarah Sundin posted this article about shoe rationing during World War II.  The military needed both leather and rubber, so folks on the home front had to make things last, and that included the kids.  No exceptions in shoe rationing was made for children.  In 1943, everyone was limited to three pairs a year, which was reduced to two pairs in 1944, and you needed a stamp from your ration book to buy them. 

Before The Bookmobile, There Was The Bookhorse

In the 1930's, the Works Progress Administration created the Pack Horse Library Initiative to provide reading materials to people living in poor, remote areas of Kentucky.  Posted on History Daily, this article and series of photographs explains the challenges these women, who were paid by the WPA, faced while delivering their literature. 

Period Appropriate Motoring Attire

This post on the Hemmings blog discusses the importance of accessories; specifically - period correct clothing to go with your vintage car.  The post has several references to resources for those interested in vintage clothing, regardless of whether that interest relates to automobiles or not.  One interesting point to me was that the desire for a "complete package" can run both ways.  While many folks may become interested in vintage clothing as an accessory to their vintage car, there are some, like the couple pictured here, who acquired their vintage car as an accessory to their vintage clothes.

Wartime Monopoly

Boing Boing pointed me to this video about a British Monopoly game made during World War II.  As proof of how supply shortages affected almost every aspect of daily life, this set had no dice, no metal trinkets, low quality cards, and even an apology from the manufacturer for such sacrifices due to the war effort.  The video provides a nice little explanation of why such sacrifices were necessary, and how people adapted, as well as a story about how British intelligence used such games to help POWs escape. 

Top Christmas Gifts Of 1948

Vintage Everyday posted this list of the top Christmas gifts sold by Macy's in 1948.  Lots of apparel on the list, including shirts, ties, nylons; as well as items like pearl necklaces, whisky and music.

V-Mail

Sarah Sundin is an author who specializes in World War II-era romance.  I'll freely admit that, when I even have time to read, "romance" is not on my list of genres.  That being said, I do follow her blog, where she posts about events and other interesting facts from WWII.  That is where I saw her post about Victory Mail or V-Mail, the U.S. military's solution to the logistical problem of millions of letters from military personnel to the folks back home.  V-mail was written on pre-printed forms, and then photographed onto microfilm, which was transported to the recipient's overseas theater of operations.  Once there, the V-Mail was reprinted from the microfilm back onto paper at one quarter the size, and then delivered to the recipient.  Never mandatory, it was apparently successful, and the military saved room for around five million tons of cargo using this system. 

V-J Day In Honolulu

Vintage Everyday posted this color film footage from V-J Day, August 14, 1945, in Honolulu, Hawaii.  While I like Jimmy Durante, I would not have minded if they had not put his song over the sounds of the film. 

1949 Japanese Baseball Cards

Just saw this photo, posted on Dull Tool Dim Bulb, of a set of 1949 Japanese baseball cards.  Not much information in the post, and I certainly cannot read Japanese, but some interesting observations are possible.  The first and most obvious item:  the cards are not photographs, but artistic renderings of the players, almost in a comic book style.  I cannot be certain if these were meant to represent specific, individual players, or just generic players for the team indicated.  The fact that the team names are in English (Giants, Tigers, Tokyo) is also interesting. 

Richard Halliburton: Memphis' Own Adventurer

I do not remember how I discovered the writings of Richard Halliburton, but I have read several of his books, and enjoyed them.  Bear in mind, there is little food for deep thought therein.  They are light-hearted, and at some points exaggerated, descriptions of world travels by a colorful and head-strong young man.  I can see why they became popular in their time (1920s-1930s), if not critically acclaimed.  Today, they offer a very interesting glimpse into the past, providing the additional escape of history into what was already escapist literature of its time.  Memphis Magazine posted this article about Memphis' home-grown adventurer. 

Belated Memorial Day Thoughts

I hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day activities, and took a moment to remember the purpose of the day.  Severe storms in Memphis over the weekend left many (including me) without power, which is why my usual Memorial Day post is late.  Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Color Photographs collection.

Gypsy Rose Lee In Memphis, Tennessee

Vintage Everyday posted this series of pictures from Life magazine in 1949 documenting the travelling show troupe of burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee.  In this set of photos, Ms. Lee and her fellow entertainers were in my home town of Memphis, and a few local sites can be identified.  In the photo above, the large building (background right) is the old Ellis Auditorium.  In addition to other old Memphis buildings, the Harahan bridge over the Mississippi River is visible in some shots.  I was not able to determine conclusively what brought Ms. Lee and Company to town, but considering the downtown location, the apparent warm weather, and the carnival-like background, we here at the SSS believe her act was part of the annual Cotton Carnival. 

So Much For So LIttle

Boing Boing posted this 1949 animated short, which at 10 minutes is actually just a little longer than most shorts of the era, made by Warner Bros. for the U.S. Federal Security Agency Public Health Service.  Chuck Jones directed, and Carl Stalling did the music.  It provides an interesting peek into the post-war era.  While its message is very serious, and some of its numbers are sobering, the cartoon is still entertaining while obviously aimed at persuading the public to support public health services.  Here is So Much For So Little.

Flying On A V-Disc

The National World War II Museum posted a nice item on the origin of "V-Discs," the U.S. government issued phonograph recordings made exclusively for the military.  As the posted noted, V-Discs arose at a difficult time in the music industry.

The music industry was actually undergoing a war of its own during WWII. In 1942, two of the most prominent musician unions went on strike against all four recording companies in the U.S.. The strike then caused a shortage of music needed for troop morale. Yet, Lieutenant G. Robert Vincent had a solution to the problem. After approval of the U.S. government, he brokered a deal between the unions, recording companies, and the U.S. government. By agreeing to not distribute any records for commercial use, Vincent was able to get the recording companies to agree to record albums for the troops to listen to while at war. More amazingly, he also convinced top-name musicians in the business to record for the albums despite the strike they were involved in.

Another by-product of this venture was that artists who were under contract with different record labels could record V-Discs together, resulting in collaborations that would not have been possible under their contracts.

The Race Of Gentlemen

I've been meaning to post something about The Race of Gentlemen for some time, and I finally got around to it.  TROG is a live action tribute to the hot rodders of the late 1940's, featuring races on the beach in period correct cars and motorcycles.  It has become a popular event in the auto enthusiast crowd, popping up in Hemmings Motor News, Chasing Classic Cars and Fast & Loud.  From the TROG website:

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, CHILDREN OF ALL AGES…

Join us to experience the greatest race on earth! The Race of Gentlemen is an automotive carnival that celebrates American racing heritage. A true homage to automobile and motorcycle history, hosted by the Oilers CC/MC. Spectators and racers alike will experience a simplier time of when guys were gentlemen and cars were king! Stultz & Green Productions will exhibit their hand-selected group of gentlemen, who will showcase their pre-war machines at the water’s edge on the beach of Wildwood, New Jersey. Commonly referred to as TROG for short, the carefully curated event will give you a history lesson and an unforgettable weekend, all rolled into one.

Race fans, hold onto your seats while vintage motorcycles and automobiles battle it out on the shore against the rising tides for your viewing pleasure. Indian, Harley Davidson, Excelcior, Ford, Dodge Brothers and more! An extraordinary display of why America’s love for vintage automotive will never fade. Do not miss your chance to see these fine men flog their jaw dropping machines on the sand, just like in days gone by. Come one, come all to watch in awe as they roar at the shore!

They are series about being period correct.  Competition cars must have a body that is 1934 or older, and American made.  The engine must be 1948 or older, and run only on gas (no alcohol or nitro).  Transmissions can be up to 1953, but modern disc brakes, alternators, etc.  One of these days, I hope to visit one of these events, and in my wildest dreams, build and race a car there.

How Many Guys Can You Fit In A '32 Ford?

This photo, posted on Rivet Head, reminded me of a scene from All the Cats Join In, a 1946 Disney animated short featuring Benny Goodman and his Orchestra.  Everyone hopped into an overloaded hot rod and rode to the malt shop to listen to the juke box and jitterbug. 

Old Magazine Articles

I found this site some time back, and occasionally have time to browse it.  Old Magazine Articles is a private site with scanned collections of thousands of old periodical articles.  The subjects are indexed, and include cars, movies, radio, history, politics, World Wars I and II, as well as a variety of other topics.