Gorgeous images from Shorpy.
Washington, D.C. July 26, 1919. "Bathing beach parade at Tidal Basin." National Photo Company Collection glass negative.
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "National Radio School."
August 9, 1938. Washington, D.C. "Air conditioned hen house is latest. Biddy increases the production of eggs in an air-conditioned hen house, U.S. Department of Agriculture experts have discovered after extensive experiments. The first temperature controlled maternity ward for hens has just been put into operation at the governmental experimental farm here. The hens have voiced their approval by laying more frequently; also a more uniform egg. R.B. Nestler, poultry expert, is pictured as he removes the eggs from the automatic chute in the new room. Note the air conditioning apparatus on the ceiling." So this poultry man with the wonderful name of Nestler is, contrary to USDA Best Practices, putting all his eggs in one basket. Harris & Ewing glass negative.
Washington, D.C., circa 1938. "Patrick Brennan, son of the Minister of Ireland, and Mrs. Brennan." Or something like that. One of a series of photographs depicting children of various diplomats speaking from their homes to a radio audience. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative.
All images from LIFE Magazine.
Town on the Move
Heimann worked on Los Angeles, Portrait of a City for two years, poring over images in collections housed in California, New York, Philadelphia , and London, as well as his own celebrated, private collection of ephemera. Pictured: The intersection of Spring and First Streets looking south, c. 1902.
Cable Railroad
The opening of the Downey Avenue Cable Railroad, at present day Broadway near Second Street, June 2, 1889.
Dapper in San Pedro
A San Pedro bar, c. 1905.
Fading Grandeur
Pictured: La Fiesta de Las Flores parade on First Street, 1903. In the 1870s, Mexicans — who had been so dominant, or at least had played a central role, in building Los Angeles — became a minority in the general population. “Development,” Heimann points out, “was a magnet for people from, say, the Midwest. The sort of parade seen here was, by the early 20th century, an Anglo attempt to celebrate the city’s deeply Hispanic past with a a faux Mexican Spanish fiesta. The message was, pay tribute, but don’t mingle.”
Orson Welles on the Air
Before the television became a fixture in every home, Americans gathered ’round the radio for their entertainment, to hear thrilling stories and wacky jokes and toe-tapping tunes. Among the best radio entertainers of his time was actor Orson Welles, who was so convincing during his stylized 1938 reading of H.G. Wells’ aliens-on-Earth story The War of the Worlds that his rapt, terrified audience believed the fiction to be true. No other star caused such hysteria, of course, but everyone who was someone in the ’30s, ’40s, and early ’50s spent a little time in a radio booth…
Frank Sinatra Gets Comfortable
The Chairman of the Board hangs his blazer on the mike stand.
Lucille Ball on CBS’ Radio Show ‘Suspense’
Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn on the Air
Julie Andrews, Age 14, on BBC Radio
Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby Duet
Harry Belafonte Sings ‘Close Your Eyes’
Dean Martin Croons
Jane Wyman and Jimmy Stewart Have Chemistry
They’re With the Band
Comedian Jack Benny, director/actor Dick Powell, comedian Ken Murray, Bing Crosby (on the drums), bandleader Tommy Dorsey, and actress Shirley Ross treat listeners to a jam session.
