Loveliest of all, the magic of this Bungalow shall remain in your heart for all the days of your life..1930s Glamour intermingled with 1940s Homefront Attitude and Style! Hubba, Hubba!
Pin Up Girls Adore Quite The Stir Bungalow!
Quite The Stir Bungalow, Gettysburg, PA
Ahh...you've happened across Quite The Stir Bungalow Blog quite unexpectedly right?
Need a break from rushing full tilt down busy city streets where all eyes are focused on the day ahead and the persons' back in front of them? Transport yourselves into history with overnight accommodations at an historical small town all-American '30s and '40s Bungalow where everyone looks you in the eyes, gives you a hearty fare-thee-well and always knows your name.
Be our guests through this Blog, as we share the attitude and style of the 1930s through the 1940s,and yes...glamour of Quite The Stir Bungalow!
So...dear, darling, dahlinks...there are changes afoot for Quite The Stir Bungalow and the ever vigilant Innkeeper (suddenly I feel like a song is coming on....) Ohhhhhhhhhh, and how!
Wrong song. Sooooooooooo sorry, I do get carried away! But then, afterall, what more would you expect from a hopeless, hapless romantic gone afoul of the law of gravity?
Back to the changes blowing in the wind...let's say...Well, for now,...I'll keep the change a little teensy weensy polka dot pikeensy (made that up) secret. Stay tuned, won't you?
Meanwhile, get set for another 'ride' with yours truly (below) and for your information (MYSTERY Delicious Blog Commenter)...I am coming out from hiding, from behind the cloak of mystery, books and whatnots (which are actually hard to find now adays) and checking out the aerodynamics and Wind Resistance of changes that are to come.
So, my lovelies....and good Samaritans who shop regularly at Woolworths (don't you adore the revolving doors and the little ringing bells that call for price checks?) recently, the Bungalow kitchen floor received a little shaking out for Spring! (And, whooooooooooo can't do without that in the Springtime, I ask you? Hmmmm...)
After trying in vain to replicate the original marbled green and gold linoleum flooring...and realizing that the original wood flooring was buried beneath years of this and that...we've stripped down to the bare essentials (And, whoooo doesn't love to do that, too?) sanded, painted, stenciled, and finished and voila! What to my roving eyes and your wandering hands appeared? There I go again....
And...in the beginning...
Darlings...there was more work to the entire process of reflooring, and if you wish to hear more, step by step, please comment here or send me an email ( innkeeper@quitethestir.com )....otherwise, I shall quite spare you the deets. In fact, truth to tell...I'd rather go shopping, or spend the day down at the Salon chatting with Ruth and the girls about the latest goings on at the USO dance.
Thank kew dahlinks...see you again not soon enough!
Shivers! SHIVERS! The Haunt for Halloween begins at Gettysburg,PA's Quite The Stir Bungalow! Can you imagine? Let me ask this again, quite another way...CAN YOU IMAGINE?!
We'll be culling through the treasures at our deliciously charming Bungalow for Halloween haunts! That's right! We'll peek into closets that likely creak in the nights that are filled to the brim with the harvest moon! Yet, further... we shall sniff out the nooks and crannies that have been here and there and an important part of the Bungalow since 1931! I kid you not my fair maidens and gendarmes!
Did you enjoy that little video? Of course you did! Silly me! What ever is there nawt to enjoy?
We'll look into the closet in the Bugle Boy Room where, don't you believe firmly,...that there Halloween could possibly, even remotely, exist? Certainly the charming and very vintage pink bed jacket could hold a bit of Halloween sparkles at least?
Second thought? What say you if we retire momentarily to snoop about in the pint size, but oh so alluring Study, for the mysteries of Halloween? Perhaps on Halloween Eve, the Remington's old keys begin to clickety clack, just thinking of the impending Trick or Treaters that are about to make their stealthy descent on the quiet street in Gettysburg AND knock on the Bungalow's doors?!!! Oh, but, I must stop for now and again another moment as my unladylike, (ahem, who me?) jitters are beginning to get the better of me, too!!!! Note to self...eat Good 'n Plenty and adorable Whoppers as seen in the picture immediately (if not moments before immediately!)
GASP! I soo know what! Let's trip the light fantastic and venture into the front and second bedroom of the Bungalow,...that would be the Jitter Bug bedroom to you and I! You see how nicely I sequed from the Jitters to the Jitter Bug bedroom, now don't you? I've always been quite clever that way, you know?
Now surely, surely, surely...here within this room, there's a bit of magic blurring somewhere along the lines of memories and joy, but be it Halloween, I'm not too sure at'al! Why, just look at the glorious sunshine bouncing off that delicious queen bed that has played host to tons of guests over the past 7 years since Quite The Stir has been, afterall, a guest house! Hmmm...
Oh, do look! I think I've found something, translation: I'm on to something...but, no 'tisn't Halloween at all but a mere reflection of life taken from a LIFE magazine (now that sounds a bit suspicious and mabe even a tad horrific doesn't it?) No? Anyway, a bit of gossip which I will never repeat twice,... I do believe that's Marlene Dietrich on the cover. You know Marlene? A bosom friend of mine (in my dreams).
Hmmmm...can you hear the sounds of tap, tap, tapping from my stilhetto slippers with the fluffy pompom, that I scrimped and saved for weeks to buy from my night job at Woolthworths as a shoe sampler? Yes, at night I was paid to live my dream! Trying on a myriad of simply wonderful shoes, handmade by the top designers of the day, JUST to ensure their comfortability and elegance of which I am an expert on! Back to the tap, tap, tapping...that's me as I trip into the parlor (filled with all sortsof vintage pleasures from the era!) Halloween has simply got to be here, for sure?! Would you just simply look at the pin up artwork pictures (painted on THE original Elvgren easel, I may add and I just did!) glowing from the gleam of the Halloween lanterns! Alright, alright I have gone amuck and awry AGAIN. There are no Halloween lanterns in this room, but if I so deem, it's highly possible and doable.
Really,...I've tired of the hunt for Halloween. NOT SO FAST DAHLINKS! I've tired for the time being ONLY...But I shall be on the sleuthing trail soon! For now....I bid you a fond adieu whilst I find my pleasures with bon bons, and another bit of LIFE.
Hello again, dahlinks! Have you missed me? Of course you havvvvve, as I've missed everyone of you terribly. But, a girl has to do what she has to do, AND it was long past time to visit the furrier and have my minks fluffed and what not! Then, of course, I really had to have my 1939 Chevy completely overhauled (that's a story you'll need to hear all about!) I also needed a new onion mincer, the type with the wooden green handles, because after all who is a girl without a proper onion mincer? I mean really, I shan't begin to even tell you! I also traveled into Macy's to ride the escalator. Gliding up into the clouds and peering down amidst all of the hubub, hats and shopping bags made my heart sing! I nearly swam next door afterwards where I truly enjoyed a wonderful sundae (strawberry and marshmellow at McCrorys.
Well, back to my announcement...
It's nearly that time again (I whispered softly into the wind that wafted past the Bungalow located at the corner of 500 West Middle Street and Howard Avenue in Gettysburg, PA!) ...yes, it's that time when we'll transform Quite The Stir Bungalow guest house to a part time vintage 1930s, 1940s tea time kind 'o place. Our first tea of the season will be....
Young Ladies Accompanied by Mothers Or Grandmothers = Tea Party Time at Quite The Stir Bungalow. Join us for "Once Upon A Tea Time" where young ladies' will chill with Modernaire Jolene on the art of graceful tea etiquette, refinement, whimsy, and other useful lady 'like-it-teas'. Customized especially for young ladies between the ages of 2-6 and 7-12, party tea goers will sample teas and culinary delights, practice proper tea table manners, enjoy 'repartea' aka tea time conversation, and momentarily lose themselves in a charming story time. While party dress is not required (though appreciated)...Quite The Stir Bungalow does ask that you wear your fascinator or tiara, and gloves. We will supply the pearls and memories. Tea Times (to be announced) are by reservation only/Seating limited. Note: We now send customized Tea Party Invitations to your tea guests directly from Quite The Stir Bungalow in Gettysburg, Pa. Contact us for the details.
Next tea intervention: The Working Womans' Tea- Featuring Giggle Water
Well, hellooooo my fine and gentle readers! How are you dahlings?
Do you know what? Do you?
I could barely, BARELY wait to share the news that
Quite The Stir Bungalow at 500 West Middle Street in historic Gettysburg, PA is now ready to once again serve up delicious and delicate teas on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, by reservation!
Mmmmm...Yes, that's absolutely right!
You see...
as the lodging season right here in Gettysburg, PA begins a slow, but very lovely descent into a slumbering winter, Quite The Stir Bungalow ascends from full time guest lodging into Bungalow Tea Time!
Now,
the secret to making reservations for a Bungalow Tea is rather simple!
Merely lift up the old tele handset and rotary dial (717) 416-0025
after all, the Bungalow stands ever so stalwart in the 1930s and 1940s!)
Now, I ask you, gentle readers, could making reservations be any easier?
Served upon tier upon tier of trays and the most delicate of bone and fine china...Oh, the tea delicacies we offer! They are delicious and ever, EVER so very scrumptious, with each morsel to die for! Depending on your choices, we've the catered traditional scones and darling crumpets, tea breads, sweet breads, creme puffs, eclairs, quiche, devonshire creme, assorted tea sandwiches, to include (another oh!) the favorite cucumber petite sandwiches,...a crowd pleasing favorite to be most certain, seasonal fruits, tasty hor dourves, a selection of cheeses and, let us not forget
a remarkable and delicate salad, some with slivers of almonds, some with shards of oranges, but
then, allow me to assure you gentle readers, the options are many.
Finally, the Bungalow presents the most incredible cream based vegetable or yes, fruit based soups in vessels or demitasse cups (as to your pleasure, of course!) .
They soups may be hot or cold, gentle readers!
Isn't that quixotic, tho?
Ohhhh, and did I mention the (whisper in hushed awe with me now?) THE TEA, the teaaaaa....
oh my, but mother of all teas compete with warming cozys and personal tea pots!
Oh, (another Oh) but do excuse my extreme pleasure and excitement!
I must say, the Bungalow does have most every tea available from
Assam and Ceylon to Darjeeling, Green, Oolongs, and then some!
Of course, too, we have our
perennial continental favorites available to those of us who simply adore regularity and familiarity, ahem!
I do positively rage on from time to time don't I dahlings?
Nevertheless, I must digress! After all, what's a girl to do?
I must share with all of you our tea selections from which to choose!
Let's seeeeeee now, tap, tap, tap (of my delicate and strappy little high heeled numbers)
...ahem,....the Bungalow offers
The Bombardiers Tea (for the gents too!)
USO Ladies Tea
BUY Bonds Tea
Scuttlebutt and Crew Tea (for the gents too!)
High Tea "A Culinary Delight" From The 1940's
Rosie the Riveter Tea
But there's more!
Alright now, dahlings, let's picture this...
it's early morning or perhaps, a golden afternoon at the Bungalow. A charming white gloved butler in bow tie and or gracious (primping) hostess and even more lovely servers appear to elegantly and graciously serve up your delicious tea selection, carrying a single rose and an antique silver service with china!
All of this against the background sounds of Big Band purring...
What could be more wonderful... such a dream to slip away to.
You may feel as tho you're in the British "colonies" (say what?) while in the marvelous US of A.
Our specialty,...
From time and then again more time, Quite The Stir Bungalow invites special hostesses to share instructional tips and the ever so importance of genteel etiquette from the era of the 1930s and 1940s, and share the Golden Age of Hollywood history to Stars and Glamour tips! Now, I ask you yet again,...how simply exquisite is this?
One more thing...during your tea experience at Quite The Stir Bungalow, you may just meet up with a 1940s Rosie The Riveter, the ever beloved Pin Up, an Iconic Spy once from as close as Baltimore, MD or a WWII Flygirl!
We also offer educational teas for young ladies and gentlemen among us and adore providing services for intimate memorable events.
Well, dahlings, sigh,...I can't believe how the time has flown, and I'm totally about through blithering on and on now. (One never knows...)
Really, why you'd think I invented tea, when really I believe the charming and distinctive Mr. Bigelow, my good friend, just may have, or hmmm, did he? Of course, then, there's Sir Lipton and Mr. Tetley...I adored playing tennis with them, what teases! But, then again, I do evah evah EVAH so prefer loose teas. Don't you think most everything in life that's loose is... well, most everything that's loose is wonderfully incredible??????????
It's important to keep in deep consideration of mind,
that our fine Bungalow is historically accurate to the glamour of the 1930s and attitude of the 1940s...including floor space.
We are a mere 1,400 square foot, with rather a tons of yesterdays and in other words,
our reservation availabilities are limited
and exclusive as to numbers we may serve at any given time.
Parking may be at premium, so do ask us upon your reservation as to the possibilities available?
WHAT SAY YOU?
DOESN'T THIS SOUND DREAMY?
So, now then,...I am quite done...but before I make my dramatic departure into yesterday (don't get too thrilled, gentle readers, I shall return in less than a fortnight)
I shall leave you with an utmost personal message and video from yours most truly and the Innkeeper, otherwise known under many nom de plumes, some of which include, Starlight Reporter, Ms. Tattle Tales, Miss Flirtzalot, Dragstrip Scooter Girl and Illegally Blondella.
Allow me to invite you to
join a plethora of remarkable dahlings (with a bit of me and whipped creme on the side) for
an upcoming vintage gathering with none other than the incredible and remarkable
It's going to be beautiful today in many places across the USA. AND, I most certainly AM traveling everywhere in my Mercury!
Why not take advantage of the gorgeous weather, I asked myself?
Get outdoors, slip into something more comfortable... a delicate silken blouse and 'nipped at the waist' cotton skirt with a draped overskirt...for effect.
Then to put the convertible top down and take a delicious wild ride in the Big M...my Mercury.
Make no mistake my Gentle Readers! I shall positively, endlessly enjoy my Merc-O-Therm ventilating and more comfort, better than ever...in every way during my thrill ride!
'Better in styling, better in comfort, better in performance and as owners report, better in economy!'
Now, I do hear that my Mercury was introduced to the public in 1939, the Mercury car was the brainchild of Edsel Ford, (I think I would have adored Edsel) son of Henry Ford.
The car, in the making for four years, was to be the best available from Ford and all that a luxury Lincoln could offer.
The 1939 Mercury packed a whalloping 95 horsepower flathead V8 motor with total performance that was excelsior from day one, easily reaching speeds up to 100 mph. Unique to the car, was a transmission gearshift located on the steering column, rather than on the floor. This automobile most certainly took on the halo of a winner. Ecstasy!
Now, about a Woody! (one of my favorites absolutely ... oh but there is the sweet little T-Bird)
During 1946, the Wood side body Sportsman Convertibles were introduced. The public was further thrilled beyond measure with the 1949 post war Mercury 8, offering a larger V8 motor and inverted bathtub styling. This car heralded in a true American classic, and frankly, became a hot rodder and street rodder's dream.
Gloriosky! In 1950, the Millionth Mercury was produced. The Mercury car had become so edgy (and I so doooo adore edgy) that even the legendary heart throbalicious James Dean, playing a rebellious teen, drove a black Mercury coupe in the 1955 film 'Rebel Without a Cause.' I so know the feeling!
Now, tho this is going beyond my passion for the era of the 1940s, I'll have to shed a bit more light on behalf of the Mercury honor...
Among the classic Mercurys of the fifties, the Mercury Turnpike Cruiser could arguably outshine them all!
Standard features included an electric drop down reverse slanted back window, a skylight dual curved windshield, and our favorite standard feature, the Seat-O-Matic. This seat had the abilities to adjust to 49 different positions, and quite possibly send you into obit. Ahem, not that I'm hinting at anything inappropriate!A computer clock inside this dream car calculated average trip speeds, and quite uncommonly, this car was equipped with an odometer. A Merc-O-Matic transmission keyboard control was standard, with power steering and brakes. Fully loaded!
Mercury's of the sixties continued with excellence in speed and performance. Among the models available were Meteors, Cyclones, Marauders and the introduction of the Mercury Cougar.
Ford discontinued selling Mercury models in the fall of 2010, thereby ending production of a seventy one year old timeless brand that once stood for 'more of everything you want'...from innovation to speed.
The merger of two entrepreneurs' dreams became one of the largest snack food companies in the United States. In fact some reports say this snack food accounts for 59% of the U.S. snack chip industry! Were talking Frito-Lay!
Who knew and you want to hear more?
Back in 1932, C.E. Doolin, happened into a San Antonio cafe, and bought a bag of corn chips. That's when and where the crispy history of these chips began. Liking the chips so much, Mr. Doolin discovered that the manufacturer of the snack chips was in the market to sell his business. Mr. Doolin knew a good thing when he tasted it, so he purchased the recipe, and began to sell FRITOS® Corn Chips from his Henry Ford Model T Ford.
During the same year FRITOS® was pounding the pavement and rolling on wheels with Mr. Doolin another icon was in the making!
There was?! Another icon?
Herman W. Lay had begun a potato chip business in Nashville by delivering snack foods. 'Bet you can't eat just one'... this was the H.W. Lay & Company.
Fast forward, through the grease, sweat and tears to 1961, where these two delicious snack foods would join. That's right, the Frito Company and the H.W. Lay company merged to become Frito-Lay, Inc.
Perhaps in their dreams, but not their wildest expectations, Did Mr. Doolin or Mr. Lay expect their products would be America's favorite snack food company? We didn't BUT we're glad it happened!
Today, Frito Lay goodness continues to be produced by more than 45,000 Frito-Lay employees in the United States and Canada. They make it, sell it and bring smiles and yards of edible delights and a variety of other fun too!
Mmmmmm.....the 1940s had it good, thanks to the 30s Snack Kings!
This is entertainment . . . coming to our readers and listeners soon. . .through Vintage Allies (VAV!) web pages and via a brick and mortar homefront radio broadcasting station. Coast to Coast, Vintage Allies will be bringing live and pre-recorded broadcasts, interviews, reviews and commercials to the listening audience.
It is time again, for those lazy days by the pool with the family, for those evenings up at the lake to reminisce about how simple life was and still can be. Prepare for all that reminds us of simpler choices and values--values we can recapture.
Timeless, wholesome, constantly entertaining, and produced to entertain an entire Vintage Allies (VAV!) family of readers and listeners through sound and imagination alone is what you'll find through our vintage broadcast.
At Vintage Allies we respect both the periods we celebrate and the wealth of historic, cultural and social messages. American history has been unique in a period of disaster, both financial and geo-political. But it was also a period of unprecedented hope and recovery--both economically and spiritually.
"The spirit of a great Nation is no where better preserved than through virtually every recording produced during the Golden Age of Radio--both here and abroad." ~ Dennis Nyhagen of The Digital Deli On-Line
If you would like to download or contribute to The Digital Deli On-Line, a large contributor to Vintage Allies radio resources, we offer the following facts and statistics from their web pages:
"Virtually all of the Internet's most prominent commercial Golden Age Radio vendors have built as much as 50% of their collections from The Digital Deli's Golden Age Radio Holdings. Indeed, if you've been downloading or purchasing .mp3 recordings from virtually any popular Internet Source for the past 9 years, there's a 30% - 40% chance you've been downloading Digital Deli Online recordings right along. Since we're a not for profit service, we don't compete with these vendors. But note that these successful Golden Age Radio vendors continue to trust The Digital Deli Online's holdings to build their offerings from our extensive, diverse, quality holdings.
Two worldwide, ongoing research efforts have collectively downloaded in excess of 38,000 and 163,000 files from The Digital Deli's FTP Holdings, with the goal of building two of the most completely documented collections of Golden Age Radio Episodes and Shows yet attempted.
If you have an ongoing Golden Age Radio preservation or research effort underway, we're prepared to help you--at no cost or nominal cost, with any of our resources. Feel free to contact us with your proposals. Simply click the 'Comments Please!' button on any page, and we'll work with you in any way practical."
The O.W.I.'s famous Poster No. 20, A Homemaker's War Guide. The Office of War Information enlisted the support of all major Radio networks to devote hundreds of hours of broadcast time each week to inspirational, informative and patriotic messages and updates on the status of the troops. The OWI also produced thousands of patriotic and informative posters throughout the period.
January 2, 1941, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" was recorded by The Andrews Sisters in Los Angeles, CA. The song was heard in the movie, "Buck Privates", starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello.
These vivacious sibling talents will forever be associated with their very active patriotic entertainment duty during World War II and the culture of the era. During the 1940s, the Andrew sisters found themselves in quite the demand earning $20,000 a week.
Born in Minnesota, LaVerne, the oldest sister, Maxene the middle sister and Patty the youngest sister all found a keen love for music at an early age. They were inspired by greats such as the Boswell Sisters, Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Torme.
The Andrews Sisters became America's most popular female singing group with their first major success "Bei Mir" selling 350,000 copies. The song held the Billboard Number one slot for five weeks. This incredible achievement established The Andrews Sisters as successful recording artists and celebrities. The first all-female group to have a record go platinum, these sisters earned nine gold records, recorded over 700 songs and sold over 90 million records.
If these accomplishments aren't enough to have Vintage Allies (VAV!) listeners and readers doing the Jitterbug, there's more. The Andrew Sisters were one of the first vocal groups inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, they had over 100 songs on top 30 Billboard charts and 46 songs reached the top 10 on the Billboard charts. Yes, these sisters were also established radio personalities, and all totaled had made appearances in 17 Hollywood movies.
Some of the sisters hits in the early to mid forties include; “Rum and Coca Cola” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” and “I’ll be with you in Apple Blossom Time.”
The Office of War Information enlisted the support of all major Radio networks to devote hundreds of hours of broadcast time each week to inspirational, informative and patriotic messages and updates on the status of the troops. The OWI also produced thousands of patriotic and informative posters throughout the period. One of its most famous posters, the O.W.I. commissioned Norman Rockwell to create O.W.I Poster No. 47, celebrating the Four Freedoms set down by President Roosevelt in his famous 'Four Freedoms' speech.
Geraldine Doyle, the woman featured in the iconic WWII-era "Rosie the Riveter" poster above, has died at age 86. This image would eventually become the central face of Rosies everywhere and serve as the rallying cry for an entire social movement."
Rosie the Riveter was one of the most widely known personas of the 1940s. With her hair in a polka dot kerchief, sleeves rolled up, and a positive set to her jaw and eyes, Rosie could never be taken for granted. She had a can do attitude, feminity, beauty and yes, sex appeal.
This Rosie the Riveter poster model was never named Rosie, nor was she a riveter. Rosie was actually Mrs. Doyle who worked at a metal factory.
Why a Rosie the Riveter Poster?
At the government's request, The Ad Council, created the legendary iconic Rosie the Riveter to encourage women to serve America at work during WWII, not as nurses or secretaries, but in factories. As the War progressed, more and more planes and artillery became increasingly in demand. Manufacturers' buildings became munitions factories for producing weapons of war. Men, who had performed in the factories making munitions were now serving on the front battle lines and in short supply on the Homefront. How could the war be won without weapons?
Women were the key answer to step in to fill men's traditional roles in the factories. However, before women could begin their very important work in the factories, they had to be convinced of the importance of such an undertaking. The campaign to encourage women to take on traditionally male jobs focused on the main theme of patriotic duty. The campaign message was clear: you can work a man's job, and keep your femininity. Rosie the Riveter posters soon followed. "We Can Do It" blazoned alongside other war slogans, such as "We Can't Win the War Without Them," and paid tribute to women giving due honor for working on the home front.
The ad campaign proved convincingly seductive to American women. Women were impassioned by the call of their country. They were compelled to support their American men who lay their lives down for peace against the atrocities of war. Answering the call with no faint heart, women proved themselves capable with astounding vigor and stamina. They fulfilled the call to work, not only in factories, but in vacant occupations, traditionally male oriented.
Rosie represented the newfound strength of the 18 million American women who worked during the war and afterward became a figure of the female contributions and power with a can do attitude. Rosie the Riveters across the nation answered the call to serve their country, flawlessly, capably and even against all difficult and dangerous circumstances. In many cases the female workers supassed expectations, particularly, when the job demanded dexterity, detail, or persistence.
Vintage Allies (VAV!) adds a caveat to this story. Rosie was not the only working girl to benefit from her status as factory worker. Photographs of women engaged in their duty serving the country, posing diligently aside machines, were published in newspapers and magazines. This unfailing loyalty and bravado was sent to the boys on the warfront boosting their morale, and showing them what they were fighting for~ Family, Freedom, and Truth which is the American victory cry, in the greater part.
Every woman, on the Homefront, who was or wasn't represented in print as Rosie The Riveter wins the hearts of Americans everywhere. We thank Rosie The Riveters today for their extraordinary service and will forever and a day remember these women in the American book of Unforgettable Heroines.
In the span of those tumultuous few short years during WWII, Rosie The Riveter was never needed more. She is a venerated, war hero. Please know that she served her duty well and returned home with an honorable discharge. Today, we honor those Rosie the Riveters for their vast contributions to the war and for blazing new trails in gaining respect and opportunities for women. For more on WWII Front to Homefront, Gettysburgs' Greatest Generation is a non-profit foundation offering a valuable and reliable source of information.
What kind of woman are you when it comes to living life to the fullest?
Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb wrote a "Rosie the Riveter" song in 1942:
She's making history,
Working for victory,
Rosie the Riveter.
Keeps a sharp lookout for sabotage,
Sitting up there on the fuselage.
That little girl will do more than a male will do"
On May 29, 1943, Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post cover was his version of Rosie. Please note the patriotic theme and background, the attributes of strength and feminity. You'll see Rosies' penny loafers rest casually on a copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, a magazine article.
In 1937, the Lincoln Tunnel in New York opened to traffic, passing 1.5 miles under the Hudson River and connecting Weehawken, N.J., and Manhattan in New York City. The Tunnel was designed by Othmar H. Ammann, designer of many of the 20th century's greatest bridges including several in New York.
Construction on the Tunnel, which runs under the Hudson River and connects New York's Manhattan with New Jersey's Weehawken, began in 1934 and cost $75,000,000. In its first year of service the Tunnel didn't experience a great deal of use, and just 1.8 million cars passed through the 8,200-foot Tunnel or 3.5 cars per minute. An explanation for this fact was certainly that there weren't nearly as many cars in the 1930s, and the arrival of the Second World War, limited resources and a rationing cut into the overall traffic, as well.
The case is altogether different today with Tunnel traffic. Two more lanes were opened in 1945, with another two built and pressed into service a dozen years later. As part of I-495, the Lincoln Tunnel regularly sees more than 120,000 cars pass through each day or 83.3 cars per minute.
A second tube of the Lincoln Tunnel to the north of the first was opened on 1 Feb 1945, and a third tube was added south of the first on 25 May 1957, making it the world's only three-tube underwater tunnel for vehicles.
There are few identifiable toys that have transcended beyond the passage of time, and are able to retain notoriety despite all the other competitive products to contend with today. The Frisbee is one such product that is both incredibly simple, and a great deal of fun to play.
The Frisbee has origins with William Russel Frisbie who founded the "Frisbie Pie Company" in 1895 at Bridgeport Connecticut. The pie tins were imprinted with the name, Frisbie.
Round about 1948 an innovator and building inspector, Fred Morrison, created a refined plastic version of the frisbie when he viewed hungry college students throwing and tossing the Frisbie Pie Company empty pie tins and enjoying endless hours of game and sport. Interesting side note: Vintage Allies (VAV!) has secured an insiders' illuminating scoop that inventions were prolific in the Morrison family. Morrison's father, also an inventor, invented the automotive sealed-beam headlight.
The first concept of Fred Morrison's flying disc, which he named the "Whirlo-Way, was a tribute to the 1941 Triple Crown winning race horse, Whirlway.
The Frisbee was an "aerodynamic toy to be thrown through the air ... in throwing games." Described as a saucer shaped throwing implement with a series of concentric discontinuities adjacent the rim on its convex side. These molded rings were designed to provide "an interfering effect on the airflow over the implement and create a turbulent unseparated boundary layer over the top of the implement reducing aerodynamic drag." Translation: Vintage fun.
Morrison then sold his product to WHAM-O® in 1955 where it was introduced to the consumer market in 1957 as the Pluto Platter™ (the name inspired by the country's obsession with Unidentified Flying Objects). The Pluto Platter was modified in 1958 and renamed the FRISBEE® disc. In 1964, the first professional model went on sale. Wham-O sold over one hundred million units before the selling the toy to Mattel in the 1990s
A milestone in Frisbee history was made December 26, 1967, when a group of high school students in Maplewood, New Jersey, invented the 'Ultimate Frisbee', a new sport blending football, soccer and basketball .
The U.S. Navy spent almost $400,000 in 1968 to study Frisbees in wind tunnels, tracking their flights with computers and cameras, and building a special Frisbee-launching machine on top of a Utah cliff to test a prototype flare launcher.
Through the decades, the Frisbee has become an American icon.
Note: Whatever happened to the grand and original Frisbie Pie Company? They closed their doors in 1958. Stall Count!
