1943 Culture and Trends

 

I received these two publications, both 1943 issues, from a dear friend.

I am so fortunate to have such loyal readers who want to contribute! A resounding Thank You to Mr. QT Pie.

Life Magazine was a very popular, widespread periodical.

Surprisingly, it was a humor magazine from 1883 until 1936. Then it was bought out by the owner of Time simply so he could have rights to the name “Life”. It then became a weekly fixture popular for its stunning photography.

It became a monthly in 1978. By 2000, it choked. Was it because of the internet? Time says it was so more money could be put into their other publications, such as Real Simple (Real Simple Minded, in my book).

The Woman, also known as Women’s Digest, I had never heard of. It mainly consisted of long true stories.

To illustrate how different norms were in 1943, this list that The Woman published shows basic requirements in order to wed in each state.

In Colorado, Mississippi, and Idaho, the minimum age a female was able to become a bride was twelve. We see this information asterisked with an “a”. This is to tell us a parent’s consent was necessary. A little creepier than a twelve year old girl being able to run off with a boyfriend to marry against her parents’ wishes, in my opinion.

The next age for girls to be able to marry in other states jumps to fourteen. In Iowa and Alabama, this could be done whether the parent consents or not.

Interestingly, a man had to be at least twenty to marry in New Hampshire. Now, why would that be?

There was no avoiding the topic of war in either magazine. The United States was in the thick of World War II.

I saw this on one page.

This was on the next.

Best to buy those war bonds.

Also, the government pays you back with interest.

How can you say no to this face?

“I will buy a war bond instead of a Superman Comic this week! Maybe.”

Women were being recruited for work that men had left behind.

“When work is done, sit down and do your nails with Dura-Gloss.

A close-up reveals what some work identifications may have looked like for women working during the war. Lanyards and factory jobs would clash.

Some women chose to be on the front. This being the 1940s and judging from the van in the background with the big cross, this fictional young woman is probably meant to be a medic of some sort.

“Quit babbling on and on about the movie you saw over the weekend. A soldier who is about to deploy wants to talk to his mother!”

I hope no one actually wore these on the factory floor!

If they did, I hope they had lots of these!

I suppose ten cents stores might have been like dollar stores.

Women had other things to worry about besides work, though.

This product encouraged women to cheat just so they would be encouraged to wear their product.

It is horrible “etiquet” to see other men when your sweetheart is away!

Language was a little different. “Hootin’ Nanny Goats” are rarely mentioned these days.

What are we looking at when we are looking at the bugaboo of something?

I looked it up and it was the object of fear or alarm.

Columbia used to make a ski jacket called Bugaboo.

I guess because some people ski down terrifying slopes?

And then this lady, whose friends think she is cutting them dead.

Pardon?

I have never heard this. A little much for simply not being greeted. But I guess it was a time of war and language may have matched the culture.

But this gal should really help herself and get some damn glasses. Why walk around barely being able to see? Sometimes you have to swallow your pride.

Her man convinced her it was okay to get glasses and she wore them down the aisle. She wanted everyone to know she loved her glasses so much, she was also marrying them.

Even 67 years ago, capitalism was as dopey as ever.

Oh no, my blood is more of an orange than red! Give me iron right away!

This just sounds like a product that would tear through your asshole.

Perhaps these will make a comeback in today’s climate of contagion.

All in all, the war was won and everyone tried to get on with life.

Rationing ended.

So did the paranoia, at least for a short time.

And then the baby boom began.

BOOM!

 

 

 

2001 Changes News

This still is from a 1999 broadcast of CNN. Notice anything missing?

After September 11th, 2001, Americans were more hooked to the news than ever. 24 hour news stations like CNN added the ticker tape of current event blurbs so we could stay up to the minute on as much as we could.

The Bush Administration was creating a heavy load of news.

Often there wasn’t much air time for anything else.

Thus, the birth of the ticker tape.

“I’d rather be painting.”

These two cell phone slings served as little pouches some kept mobile devices in during the same era. Today, we do not put down our phone long enough to store them away like this.

Finally, you won’t see any of these out on telephone poles any longer. It is assumed everyone has their own pocket sized mode of emergency contact. These used to be a common sight. Inside was a phone receiver resembling a payphone’s. One could pick up the hand piece and be directly connected with emergency services.

Sunday Funday: Periodicals of the Past 1983

My sister, Jen, found this rare jewel for me at a sale. This is a TV Guide for the Armed Forces Network. This particular variant was for those serving in Germany.

This also happened to be the 40th Anniversary Issue. Everyone was celebrated for all of their hard work.

Most people working on the network wear uniforms.

Some civilians are hired for their special skills. This man is editing footage.

This short article explains who some of the viewers of AFN Networks are. I have never seen “the boonies” on a map.

I looked up “the boonies” and the term was popular among Vietnam soldiers for jungles or swampy areas far from the comforts of civilization (Virginia.edu).

Here is what was airing on a Sunday. Don’t Miss Solid Gold at 16:15.

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trashaddict

1983 was when Silver Spoons was a brand new show.

ebay

Also, Diff’rent Strokes was in its heyday.

Priscilla Barnes gets a shoutout in the AFN TV Guide. Some people, though, will never get over the loss of Suzanne Somers.

An ad for the precursor to Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Light.

While Coke takes the trendy approach, Pepsi tries to go classic.

Obviously, not in the military.

This now discontinued Kelloggs cereal tried ripping off the General Mills Cocoa Puffs bird but it went nowhere.

Why not use this today? I don’t see an expiration date. It looks like you will have to visit the locations specified in the coupon, though.

Looks a little different today.

There were also a few German ads. This was for the German Lottery. “It’s fun being a millionaire”.

Capri Sun, or Capri-Sonne, actually is a German company. Originating in 1969, it has been in the U.S. since 1981. It might be fun to be a millionaire, but it also looks fun being a Capri-Sonne drinker.

Kool cigarettes thought they were clever by trying to recruit smokers through music. Peaches and Herb signed on for five shows under the guise of honoring the military.

Johnson and Johnson wanted Black Military Personnel to be all that they could be and thought hair products could help with that.

A 1983 concept car from GM.

A beautiful still life of Phillips products.

Sound Burger record player with folding headphones.

You can still shop at Sears while stationed in Germany via the trusty Sears Catalogue.

The whole world has this today with the World Wide Web.