|
Sure, we look back with nostalgia at the past, but that’s only because we’re accustomed to the things that would mystify our great-grandparents. And, also, air conditioning.
Not to worry, even today we can go back in time. Here are three more pictures from the 1939 World’s Fair guide book. We’re just getting started, if you’re behind. The series begins here.
Before I fall asleep, which will happen any minute now, there are four new installments in the Black and White section. That link starts you at the beginning. If, by some miracle of amusement or pity on your part you’ve been following along, you can see the latest starting here.
New on the site: The 1939 World’s Fair Guide Book project is underway. Four entries today, we’ll see a small handful a week until around Thanksgiving. This isn’t a comprehensive look at the guide, or the fair.
This is a focal point for a lot of people online — it was the first fair that looked at the future, a future that was interrupted or ended because of the war. I’m no expert on the fair or the period — I’m surprised fair organizers didn’t just send the guide to visitors’ iPods — but the text is at times entertaining and the art and models are amusing. You and I will just look at the most interesting ones together.
Here’s your first random tidbit. The models were popular images in the book because they gave visitors a certain since of scale about the place. They just look like models today, though, and would never be acceptable for a modern publication.
That was the afternoon. A threat of meteorological drama which pittered and flittered into nothing. But for a while it looked as if something was about to descend from the clouds.
But that was just part of the day. There was scanning. And scanning! And also I reproduced a digital representation of some real-world items into my computer. Finally, I placed things on a glass that covers a light, pressed a button and watch the light move in a predetermined back and forth fashion.
Took The Yankee out to dinner at the local First Date Place. Haven’t been there in maybe 12 years. (I’ve had dates since then, but just not there.) Provino’s has moved since my last visit. The new place though manages to retain much of the look of the old location. The restaurant was a little cleaner and brighter than my memory — but my recollections can be dusty and dim.
It was good back then and Provino’s was good tonight, too. The garlic rolls still come out in a pool of melted garlic. The salad is cheesy and … well, it is a salad, OK? She had the chicken francese, I had something that was acceptable, but wouldn’t be my regular dish.
Before we ordered The Yankee said “Maybe it will be like Rome.” And then the waitress walks up and says “My name is Amy Leigh and — ”
Yes, exactly like Rome.
Random things: Noted the Eight Commandments of the gas pump. There were more, but they didn’t focus group well. The second one is well written. I do not follow the one about cell phones, because I am not orthodox. I had a picture re-published on The War Eagle Reader. And, tomorrow, it is back to class; so tonight it is back to ironing.
I returned to the Black and White section of the site.
Since no one remembers this — it has been a while — I occasionally pick up random photos and try to figure out their context, or create one of my own. I have tons of these waiting to be scanned. Click the previous link to start at the beginning. Go here to see today’s four photographs. I’ll try to make this a weekly exercise once again.
