MetaFilter posts tagged with vintage and 50s

Another Stupid Newsreel! I Hate The News.

The Whelk — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:50:10 -0800

We visited Weirdo Video back in 07 for propaganda films, but the YouTube channel has been steadily updating with yesterday's ephemera. Why not enjoy some vintage newsreels about STRIKES! SULTANS! SUEZ! SAN FRANSISCO! or some FITNESS FADS!

Spoiler alert: there is a red shirt.

1f2frfbf — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:22:56 -0800

Jeff Altman has posted several stunning examples of his grandfather's Kodachrome 40 8mm home movies.

Previously with less, but now with more!! Also worth seeing: 1922 Kodachrome Film Test, with more info and previously, too.

Two bits of wood bolted together

madamjujujive — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:38:37 -0800

Fender Factory Tour 1959 - Leo Fender in the second shot. Freddie Tavares at 7:26. A day when "everything was done by hand... It is amazing to realize that every guitar made that year is now worth a small fortune." The 1959-63 era Stratocaster is called one of the 50 guitars to play before you die. (via the q-ster)

Vintage household hacks

madamjujujive — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 20:07:28 -0800

Home Kinks, part 1 and part 2 - for years, Popular Mechanics Press published a series of tips, many from readers, in a special edition format they called "Household Kinks." Scanning Around With Gene has posted a collection from 1940s and '50s editions.

Look at (Vintage London) Life

madamjujujive — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 18:41:58 -0800

IN Gear, swinging London of 1960s and SOHO bohemian Coffee Bars of London, 1959. These are a few of the 500+ vintage documentary shorts called "Look at Life" that ran at the Odeon and Gaumont cinemas during the 50s and 60s. (via Dangerous Minds) Market Place - 1950s - from "old school" London markets to the introduction of the supermarket. Scooter Commuter, 1962 - a gathering at London's Crystal Palace for a mass scooter rally featuring a grand parade of all the scooters. Also a brief history of the scooter, including a small WWII version that was used by paratroopers; and a look at scooter manufacture and proving grounds. Fire over London, 1966 - The centenary of the London Fire Brigade, and the London Salvage Corps, their history, and a "modern" look at operations. Members Only, 1965 - A look at the "private clubs" of London. From the famous political clubs of the 18th century to the gambling clubs and the bohemian night clubs of the West End. Eating High, 1966 - a look at the 60's European trend of top-of-skyscraper revolving restaurants, including a close look at the challenges of running the restaurant at the top of London's Post Office Tower. Down London River, 1959 - vintage footage of Parliament, Big Ben, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, Port of London, Cleopatra's Needle and more. Goodbye, Piccadilly. 1967 - A pre-modernization look at both the above- and the under- ground Piccadilly Circus.

vintage cutaway illustrations

madamjujujive — Sun, 03 May 2009 17:55:29 -0800

Frank Soltesz was a master of fascinating cutaway illustrations depicting "modern businesses" in the '40s and '50s - from hotels and hospitals to breweries, grocery stores, and more. (via Telstar Logistics Blog) See also: Frank Soltesz - Storyteller and a biographical site by his son, which includes examples of his other styles of illustration, too.

Retro space cowboys

madamjujujive — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 11:20:53 -0800

For many kids, the space age made its TV debut years before Sputnik with 1950's TV space serials.
1950 - Space Patrol - The Hidden Treasure of Mars. (Part two)
1954 - Rocky Jones' Space, Space Ranger - Rocky's Odyssey. (Chapters two, three)
1954 - Flash Gordon - Deadline at Noon and Akim the Terrible. More about:

Space Oddity

madamjujujive — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 22:22:40 -0800

Mars and Beyond - 50 years ago, this animated episode of Tomorrowland aired on Disneyland a few months after the launch of Sputnik - an entertaining melange of astronomy, sci-fi, pop culture, science, speculation, and surreality. Walt himself and Wernher von Braun make guest appearances and clip 5 is particularly trippy. (Parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)