Category Archives: history

A Century of Hard Hats

Posted on 2019-10-02 by Jonathan

An interesting article appeared in the New York Times today about the history of hard hats. Here is a synopsis: When Edward W. Bullard returned home to the U.S. after serving in France during World War 1, he suggested that … Continue reading →

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1893 Watch Camera

Posted on 2019-10-01 by Jonathan

This ‘spy camera’ is likely similar or even the same model used by 19 year old Carl Stormer when he took these round shaped photos in the 1890s in Oslo, Norway.

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Fashion in the 1990s – posted on 19/9/9!

Posted on 2019-09-09 by Jonathan

I found links to three fascinating hour long documentaries that look at the creative fashions and fashion industry of the 1990s. The first film done in 1992 is by Henry Stein and looks at the origins of an avant-garde fashion … Continue reading →

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Fashion in Song – Why Do You Bob Your Hair Girls? (1927)

Posted on 2019-08-30 by Jonathan

This Appalachian tune that pleads for women not to bob their hair was written and performed by Blind Alfred Reed in 1927. There are two different versions of the lyrics by Blind Alfred Reed, as well as later recordings done … Continue reading →

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Fashion in Song – Alice Blue Gown (1919)

Posted on 2019-08-15 by Jonathan

The song was written in 1919 by Harry Tierney with words by Joseph McCarthy for the Broadway musical Irene. Edith Day, the start of the Broadway musical, first recorded the song in 1920. Alice Blue is an icy white blue … Continue reading →

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Fashion in Song – Shine On Your Shoes (1932…)

Posted on 2019-08-05 by Jonathan

Originally from the 1932 Broadway Musical “Flying Colors”, written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz, the song has had many covers: Jerry Lewis, Mel Tormé, Mandy Patinkin, Tony Bennett and even Liza Minnelli. Here is Fred Astaire with his version … Continue reading →

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Fashion in Song – Sweater Girl (1949)

Posted on 2019-07-17 by Jonathan

Written and performed by Ruth Wallis, a cabaret singer who produced her own record label for her songs because they were too risque for most record companies! Loretta’s a sweater girl now,Loretta’s a better girl now,How did she steal away, … Continue reading →

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Patent Fashions – Cantilevered Soles

Posted on 2019-07-10 by Jonathan

The heeless pump style were invented by Romeo Griffi in 1958. That same year Griffi filed patents in Italy, England and the U.S. for his cantilevered sole idea. The style was designed to relieve the normal shock to the leg … Continue reading →

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Fashion in Song – Yankee Doodle Dandy c. 1760

Posted on 2019-04-14 by Jonathan

Yankee Doodle Dandy was originally sung by British soldiers during the French Indian wars (1754-1763) in mockery of unsophisticated colonials. There were many verses and different versions of lyrics over the next few decades, but the one that stuck was … Continue reading →

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Hanger Games — Louis M. Marble

Posted on 2019-04-08 by Jonathan

I found this hanger in an antique mall today (I have a growing personal collection of early hangers…) but the label was very worn, and it was difficult to make out what any of the words were. However, I was … Continue reading →

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