Women formed a large and increasing part of the new novel-reading public. The traditional discrepancy between male and female literacy rates was narrowed, and finally eliminated by the end of the 19th century. The gap had always been the widest at the lowest end of the social scale. Perhaps more women than we realize couldContinue reading “40 Wonderful Portrait Photos of Women Posing With Their Books From the Mid-19th Century”
Author Archives: Yesterday Today
50 Amazing Vintage Photos From the 1920s Volume 2
Winter, Fifth Avenue (1893)
Winter, Fifth Avenue is a black and white photograph taken by Alfred Stieglitz in 1893. The photograph was made at the corner of the Fifth Avenue and the 35th Street in New York. It was one of the first pictures that Stieglitz took using a more practical hand camera after his return from Europe.
Animals in Daguerreotypes in the Early Years of Photography
Daguerreotypes, the first commercial form of photography, appeared in America around the year 1839. These were produced by first sensitizing a polished silvered copper plate with iodine vapor, and then exposing the plate to light. The image was developed over hot mercury, fixed, and rinsed. This was a direct positive process, meaning that no negativesContinue reading “Animals in Daguerreotypes in the Early Years of Photography”
35 Stunning Photos of Actress Allison Hayes during the 1950s
Born 1930 in Charleston, West Virginia, American actress and model Allison Hayes made her film debut in the 1954 comedy Francis Joins the WACS. Her second film, Sign of the Pagan, provided her with an important role in a relatively minor film. Released from her contract, she was signed by Columbia Pictures in 1955. ChicagoContinue reading “35 Stunning Photos of Actress Allison Hayes during the 1950s”
Calamity Jane Mugging at Wild Bill Hickok’s Grave, 1903
A historic photo of Martha Jane Cannary, better known as Calamity Jane, mugging at the grave of James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok in Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Deadwood, South Dakota, ca. 1903.
40 Amazing Color Photos Showing Life in the U.S. during the Late 1940s
Following World War II, the United States emerged as one of the two dominant superpowers, turning away from its traditional isolationism and toward increased international involvement. The United States became a global influence in economic, political, military, cultural, and technological affairs. The unprecedented growth of the U.S. economy translated into prosperity that resulted in millionsContinue reading “40 Amazing Color Photos Showing Life in the U.S. during the Late 1940s”
Mabel Love: One of the Great Stage Beauties in Late Victorian and Edwardian Eras
Mabel Love (16 October 1874 – 15 May 1953), was a British dancer and stage actress. She was considered to be one of the great stage beauties of her age, and her career spanned the late Victorian era and the Edwardian period. In 1894, Winston Churchill wrote to her asking for a signed photograph. AmongContinue reading “Mabel Love: One of the Great Stage Beauties in Late Victorian and Edwardian Eras”
Street Life of Shanghai in 1947
“A great, wicked and quite extraordinary city” was how, in 1947, LIFE described Shanghai. In 1947, four million people had made the City their residence (today, that number is 26 million). It seemed that at any one time, a very substantial proportion of the population was on the Shanghai streets. “The traffic has become aContinue reading “Street Life of Shanghai in 1947”
Cool Photos Show What House Parties Looked Like in the 1960s
The 1960s were the time of the hippies, “Make love, not war”, The Beatles and Woodstock. It brings images of cultural revolution, peace symbols, flower power, beach culture, short skirts, flares and lots of hair. Girls looked like Twiggy or Lulu. The decade finishes with the opening of the musical Hair and its shocking (forContinue reading “Cool Photos Show What House Parties Looked Like in the 1960s”
