It's St. Patrick's Day today and in New York, where I live, everybody is smiling and wearing green. Since I'm a Finnegan, I'm smiling too. But President Harry S. Truman wasn't smiling on March 17, 1948, when he spoke before a hastily convened Joint Session of Congress. (The Truman Presidential Library has a copy of the speech. You can read it here.) In his speech, Truman … [Read More...]
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The American Way of Life: Splitnik vs. Sputnik
A display celebrating The American Way of Life opened at the American National Exhibition in Moscow in the late summer of 1959, giving Russians their first real … [Read More...]
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Dr. Seuss and the Cold War
Do you know that today is a special day? I didn't. But then my granddaughters sent selfies of the Dr. Seuss costumes they're wearing to school this morning. So I … [Read More...]
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The Nylon War: Soft Power in Action
Earlier this month we celebrated Valentine’s Day, a holiday when "love is in the air,” spurring spending binges and rampant consumerism. But if you’re on a budget, tough love might actually carry the day. What does this have to do with the Cold War, you … [Read More...]
The Rise of Fast Fashion: Globalization and Waste
Now that Labor Day is over, the “fall fashion” season is in full swing. And in today's world, most of that buying will center on "Fast Fashion" -- trendy, inexpensive garments produced in large amounts and manufactured speedily in subcontracted factories … [Read More...]
COLD WAR FASHION: THE EARLY YEARS (1950s – 1960s)
The Cold War spurred two parallel contests: the arms race and the space race. These stand-offs raised tensions worldwide and gave rise to a sense of anxiety that permeated all aspects of daily life. In the West, even fashion reflected an on-going fear of … [Read More...]
