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Written by Robert Coven
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Ten-pin bowling is a relatively recent form of recreation that can trace its history to similar games played, according to some authors, as early as 3200 BCE--under the (possibly apocryphal) Egyptian Pharoh, Narmer. Others suggest the point of origin to be Germany, around 300 CE. The form shown here was popularized in the United States prior to the Civil War. Bowling reached its zenith in the middle part of the twentieth century. The importance of bowling, and particularly league play, was remarked upon by Robert Putnam in his book, Bowling Alone. In his study, Putnam uses the decline of league play as a metaphor for the collapse of community in America.
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Written by Robert Coven
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The slide rule is a mechanical calculation aid. The device makes use of logarithims to provide an easy method for multiplication, division, roots, powers, and other mathematical operations common to science and engineering. The slide rule, like the pocket protector, became a cultural icon often used to caricature "nerds." The device was driven into obsolescence and extinction with the advent of cheap, electronic calculators (now, themselves obsolete with the advent of smart phones and other, more versatile personal electronic devices).
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Written by Robert Coven
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Sperry & Hutchinson (S & H) Green Stamps were an important part of retail commerce in the mid-twentieth century. Although these shopper premiums were first offered in 1896, they became widespread in the late 1930s. Participating retailers gave shoppers stamps when they made purchases--usually a certain number of stamps per dollar spent. Consumers could then redeem the stamps for products offered in the S & H catalog or in special Green Stamp redemption centers. A wide variety of household products could be obtained. While the stamps have fallen out of favor--though some retailers still offer them, and there is an online redemption site--consumers still expect stores to offer special bargains and incentives.
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Written by Kristen Hales
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This Remington Razor ad dates to the early 1940s, when the United States was in the middle of WWII. The stereotypical American housewife greets her husband, home from war, in this classic ad painting a picture of serene home life. What more could a triumphant warrior desire than a Remington Razor from the love of his life? |
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Written by Kristen Hales
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Another World War I era cartoon, this also features Kaiser Wilhelm perched atop a German U-Boat, the first viable submarine used in naval warfare (there were other submarines before World War I, as we know, but those unfortunately ended up on the bottom with their occupants quite dead). This article was posted after the Lusitania incident and in response to American outrage over the sinking of a passenger ship (although it was transporting weapons to our allies in Europe). The four ships represent the issues that Americans were most angry about during this point in time. Many Americans saw this as a blatant challenge to our growing nation. |
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Written by Kristen Hales
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This magazine article from a November 1944 issue of Modern Woman Magazine, features tips for the military bride. During this particular point in American history, many young couples were marrying due to one party, or both parties, going off to war. The woman in the picture is a Woman Army Corps member (also know as a WAC) and her new husband is a member of the Air Corps. Preserving the sanctity of marriage despite desperate times, this scene is most likely one seen before every major military conflict in history. |
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Written by Kristen Hales
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This cartoon, published soon after the discovery of the Zimmerman telegram, features a very stylized Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany (helmet, cape, exaggerated nose) and a very stylized (sombrero, poncho, etc.,) Mexican government representative being tempted by the "devil" so to speak, in an effort to get Mexico to join Germany against the United States in World War I. If a teacher wanted to use this cartoon in their classroom, it could be a good warm up activity. Place it on the overhead or smartboard and let your students try to interpret what it means prior to or after your World War I unit in World/US History. |
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Written by Kristen Hales
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This Cold War era propaganda poster is an advertisement placed strategically by the United States government in rural areas warning of the negative effects of radioactive fallout should a nuclear arms altercation occur between the United States and the Soviet Union. It was printed in the late 1950s and distributed in various rural locations throughout that time. |
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Written by Kristen Hales
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This advertisement, featured in a July, 1955 newspaper, features a product that will assist Radio Free Europe. Radio Free Europe is a U.S. funded radio broadcast that still exists today. Its duty is to provide "free media to unfree societies," where media may be supressed. Today, Radio Free Europe (also known as Radio Liberty) broadcasts from Prague and reaches almost the entire European continent and parts of Africa.
In the 1950s, Radio Free Europe was considered a predominantly anti-communist organization, as evidenced by this ad. Today, Radio Liberty fights againts opression by continuing to provide an alternative to state run media. |
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Written by Kristen Hales
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Many thank yous to Collectorsquest.com for posting this article from Modern Woman Magazine, Volume 12, No. 2, 1942. This article is a short and quick piece on how women can help from home to further the United States' war effort. Stockings were used to create powder packages and ammunition packages for large guns. Stuffing the powder and ammunition in silk stockings kept the guns from jamming during heavy firefights. Women were regularly encouraged by magazines such as this one to donate their used stockings with runs in them to help keep their men supplied with safe munitions during battle. |
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Written by Kristen Hales
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"Who's been here since Ise been gone?"
This political cartoon ran in a newspaper during the late 1860s, It clearly refers to the solider, on the right, returning home from war to find his wife has been keeping herself warm at night with another man. Although it may be hard to tell due to the quality of the image, the artist is implying that the missus is very pregnant, much to the surprise of her absent husband.
A hero's welcome indeed.
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