Tuesday, June 04, 2013

New York City In 1939, What A Difference

Here's a short film made by a French tourist of the streets of New York City in 1939, unique for its use of color film.



It's really not that long ago, but the differences between today are striking. Some of our observations:
  • People didn't have the weight problems they do today. There were some stockier builds but not the type of obesity you see today.
  • Women's fashions were more formal and seemed to be almost exclusively long, full skirts.
  • Businessmen still dress almost exactly the same.
  • People wore hats, both men and women. And they got quite fancy.
  • There was a lot more smog!
  • People didn't carry much. Today there are giant handbags, backpacks, laptop cases, briefcases, fanny packs, and the bags to hold all the little things like phones, tablets, wallets, keys.
  • Not much air conditioning. Cars and buses had open windows.

Do you notice anything?
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