1956: Are you in the know?

I've been meaning to share this with you for some time, and finally had a moment to spare to scan in some photos that I know you'll just love. A little pamphlet titled Are you in the know? was given to me by my sweetie a few months back. Here's how part of the introduction reads:

"Want to make a fast exit from the department of utter confusion -- about fashions, grooming, etiquette -- poise and boys? That's why this booklet was born. To help you over the hump -- to that super-smooth dream cloud reserved for schoolebrities in the know."

Kimberly-Clark Corporation, of Kleenex and Kotex fame, were the publishers of this handy gem. The booklet accompanied an ad campaign, which is described over at the Museum of Menstruation.

For your giggling pleasure, I've scanned a few favorite pages in... click on them for a larger image.



If you like this, you'll enjoy my friend Lynn Peril's essay from years ago called Growing Up and Liking It, also posted at the MUM site.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

1952: Are You Ready for a Hike?

Well, we're certainly in the thick of summer, as is apparent here in very steamy District of Columbia Metropolitan area. And I'm sure everyone trying to figure out what to do to keep cool yet get out of the house, to enjoy a bit of nature. As Evelyn Millis Duvall writes in Love and the Facts of Life (which can be taken to heart by courting fools as well as groups of singles and married folk, I'd say) "some of the most enjoyable dates are those spent at picnics, around barbeque fires, swimming, skating, singing, playing folk games, and other such informal outings."

But such fun, informal outings aren't without danger, as William A. Evans warns us in Everyday Safety. He's a bit less cavalier than Ms. Duvall, and in addition to safety tips about swimming, boating, and building a fire, he provides these helpful hints on hiking through the woods.

~~
Hiking through the fields and woods is great fun. To enjoy a good hike it is important that you be properly dressed for the occasion. Good heavy-soled shoes are the first thing needed if you plan to walk very far. Girls should wear low-heeled shoes; to have a good time one must be comfortable, and there is less danger of turning one's ankle if low-heeled shoes are worn. Full-length trousers, slacks, or heavy stockings should be worn in order to protect the legs. The other clothing should be comfortably loose and not too heavy because the exercise keeps one warm. It is a good plan to wear a jacket or shirt with full-length sleeves in order to protect the arms.

One of the things which most frequently spoils the fun of being out in the woods or fields is infection from poison ivy, poison oak, sumac, or other kinds of weeds. Some persons seem to be immune from such poisoning while others are poisoned even by wild daisies, ragweeds, or smart weeds. There is also the danger of infection from scratches caused by briars, thorns, burrs, and splinters.
~~

If that quote didn't depress you enough, you might be interested in another from this book, on Carelessness. And if you're thinking ahead to winter, here's another from killjoy Evans.

On that note, I hope you are having a fun summer. But not too much fun! Be careful out there!

1953: On Catching a Wealthy Sponsor

I know I said a few months back that Miss Abigail was livin' the single life, but things have changed due to a night with the gals drinking a few margaritas and crafting and posting our profiles on an online dating site. Well, lo and behold, I snatched me a man a month later! So far things are great - Denis doesn't mind my crazy dogs or my book obsession (heck, he once owned a copy of Live Alone and Like It). Kindrid spirits, I tell you. I thought it would be fitting for his "coming out on the Abiblog" to talk about an upcoming gig of the band he's in -- Boister does original scores for Buster Keaton films, among other things. Their next performance, set for this Sunday at 2pm at the AFI Silver in Silver Spring, Maryland, is actually quite relevant for readers of this blog. Filmed in 1925, Seven Chances is all about a man who, if he can find a bride and marry her in time, will inherit millions. I haven't seen it yet, but apparently there's a great chase scene, with tons of young, hopeful brides running down the streets of L.A. hoping to catch him.

In keeping with the storyline of the movie, the new squeeze and I did a little research and came up with this quote, from a chapter in The Unfair Sex called "On Catching a Weathly Sponsor." I bet this would have come in handy for the brides in this movie. Too bad it was written in 1953!

~~
It is far more difficult to acquire a Sponsor than to catch a husband. To begin with, only three per cent of the male population is wealthy enough to qualify. Just think how many women are trying for each member of that select group. After you eliminate the unattractive women, the inexperienced, and the inadequate, the competition is still too much for any but the most gifted.

Even girls who are both talented and diligent frequently fail. For Luck plays an important role. So much depends on getting the breaks, on having the right contacts, on the accident of proper timing.

True, on rare occasions a novice who has none of the qualifications for success (and often no ambition) will by some quirk of chance be precipitated into a brilliant alliance with a rich man. Reports of this kind of accidental success give many naive girls a false perspective on the Weathly Sponsor situation, and they promptly fling themselves into the contest with great expectations and childish fancies. I sincerely hope you willl not be one of those who rush in where angels fear to tread.
~~

1956: Why Do I Love You?

In preparation for my Valentine's Day talk at the Library of Congress (see the press release for more information), I've started to research exerpts of advice about love. I've posted quite a bit over the years on the topic, but hope to find some fresh material for the talk.

To whet your appetite (it is a talk focusing on love and food, after all), here's a little something from Evelyn Millis Duvall's Facts of Life and Love for Teen-Agers from 1956:

~~
Lovers frequently wonder why they love each other. The strange power of love baffles them. They ask each other, "Why do I love you?" This is a good question and it can be answered, at least in part. There are real reasons that one person loves another. As these reasons are understood, the love quite often grows stronger still. Only if the attraction is not love at all but merely a passing fancy, will it weaken as it is understood.

We love each other oftentimes because we meet each other's needs. Janice is effervescent and flighty. She loves Dan partly because he is always so calm and stable. He loves her partly because she is so peppy and full of life. They are good for each other, in that each meets some real need in the other.

As we satisfy each other's need for response and belongingness, we give our love a chance to grow stronger still. W all need to feel that we are wanted, that we are desirable, and that other people like to have us around. When two persons give each other this sense of being someone special, then each strengthens the love feeling in the other.
~~

Aww, how sweet!