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May 31, 2016

21 Interesting Black and White Photographs Document Female Pilots Trained for Duty in Sweetwater, Texas during WWII

In 1943, LIFE Magazine devoted a cover story to the Women Airforce Service Pilots training in Sweetwater, Texas.

July 19, 1943 cover of LIFE magazine.

Looking at the images from this 1943 LIFE cover story about their training, it’s easy to see why the women of the WASP program fought for that recognition. Though the “girl pilots” seemed to be enjoying themselves during their training in Sweetwater, Texas7, they were devoted to their physical and classroom training, and able to meet the challenges the Army sent their way—including planes not designed for shorter pilots.

Hair streams in breeze as fledgling girl pilot solos her trainer in a primary practice flight.

Sunburned nose and forehead are daubed with protective cream by Rebecca Edwards of Yazoo City, Miss., 22-year-old widow whose husband was killed during duty with the Army Air Forces. Standing next to Rebecca and leaning against the corner of the primary hangar from which both of the girls fly is Lorena Daly of Bakersfield, Calif. They each have on the G.I. coveralls, called "zoot suits" in Avenger Field lingo, that are regulation uniform for all working hours. Though suits are not very glamorous, the girls like their comfort and freedom.

Marching around wishing well at Avenger Field, girls toss coins for luck if they're due for a flight with an Army pilot. Always the trainees march in formation to the "Hup, two, three, four!" of their section leader, going to mess, ground school or flight line.

Jacqueline Cochran, glamorous speed flier who developed Women's Flying Training Detachment, is center of this group of protogees in flight-line ready room. While girls wait their turn to fly, they question Miss Cochran on her trip to England and other experiences.

In ground school subjects the girls study more diligently than the aviation cadets who preceded them at Avenger Field, according to the instructors. If marks are low students have extra study halls in the evening to catch up. Trainees above are in meteorology class, learning to read symbols and weather maps of the sort that they will use as ferry pilots.

'It's Debbie, not Blondie!' – Rising Star a Natural in Front of the Camera in 1979

It was September 1979 and photographer Anthony Barboza was shooting Deborah Harry of the band Blondie at his studio on 10 West 18th St. in New York City. The shoot was for Crawdaddy magazine.

Harry walked into the studio with an air of effervescence, bubbly and bouncy, a cute little girl with short blond hair. She was wearing a black T-shirt with "Blondie" scrawled across it.

At this point, Harry was a rising star in the growing New York punk/New Wave music scene and was on the verge of going worldwide. The band was gaining attention for their performances at the famed CBGB club on the Lower East Side of New York, which a decade later would help Madonna rise to fame.

"She was different from many young stars I had worked with in the past, very sweet and down to earth," Barboza recalled.

"To begin with, I put up a red enamel paint background. She was terrific — a natural — moving all sorts of different ways, constantly in motion. Eventually I changed the backdrop to pink vinyl and readjusted the lighting. During the shoot she would tug on the shirt as well as using it to cover her mouth and make different facial expressions. At times she would throw her head back and laugh."

"Some people feel insecure when they're being shot and don't know what to do, but she was unbelievable in her poses. She was very animated and had a lot of charisma."

"The shoot lasted about three hours. She seemed to really enjoy it. By the end of the day I was very pleased and surprised with the way things developed. It was a memorable afternoon."






May 30, 2016

20 Fascinating Black and White Photographs Portray Images of Japanese Children After World War II

This was a period of remarkable fortunes for Japan, spanning the Sino-Japanese War, the Second World War and Japan's ultimate defeat, a period of recovery and reconstruction from the ravages of war, through to the country's period of rapid economic growth. It was an unprecedented period in which even the children were caught up in the dramatic changes in living environments and values.

No matter how difficult things are, the smiling faces of the children never fail to fill us with strength and hope. Although many were poor, it was a time when children gathered in back alleys and in streets to play, and helped their parents as much as they could. The photos of the children of the Showa period depict both their bright and sunny demeanors and the toughness and resilience they displayed in the face of poverty and adversity.






Wonderful Pictures of Buses in England From Between the 1970s and '80s

Buses play a major role in the public transport of the United Kingdom, as well as seeing extensive private use. Images of buses also have a distinctive look here.

The following pictures of buses in England from between 1970s-80s that were taken by English photographer Kevin Lane will show you this.






Losing Weight in Heels at Rose Dor Farm, an Exercise and Weight Loss Getaway in New York in 1938

Now women whom the pace of modern life requires to look their best are turning increasingly to “milk farms” where strict diet and regular scientific exercise takes pounds off oversize figures.

Typical of these in Rose Dor Farm up the Hudson River from New York where the setup is that of a swank country club and where regulation ten-day course includes three days of nothing but fruit and vegetable juices, a week of cultured milk and vegetables.

Run by a young man called Bob Taplinger and his sisters, Rosalie and Doris, for whom the farm is named, Rose Dor Farms attracts not only stylish stouts but many a young girl who wants work off a few pounds to get that modelling job.






May 29, 2016

From Pleats to Parasols to Ponytails – See the Best Fashions of the 1950s Through LIFE Magazine Covers

Even as designers look to the future, it’s worth remembering that today’s fashions are never truly divorced from those of the past. With that in mind, take a look back at the fashions of the 1950s, as shown on the cover of LIFE Magazine.

Throughout the decade, the magazine traced the evolution of fashion from demure tailored shirts and classic beach looks to casual college trends and elegant evening wear. For those whose preferred looks are less sci-fi and more retro, the photographs can be a trove of inspiration.

January 23, 1950 cover of LIFE magazine. (Gordon Parks)

March 13, 1950 cover of LIFE magazine. (Gjon Mili)

April 24, 1950 cover of LIFE magazine. (Milton H. Greene)

May 15, 1950 cover of LIFE magazine. (Nina Leen)

September 11, 1950 cover of LIFE magazine. (Nina Leen)

Intimate Pictures of a Young Starlet Audrey Hepburn at Home in Beverly Hills, 1953

Audrey Hepburn had only had one major film role—in 1953’s Roman Holiday—when photographer Mark Shaw spent a day with the star. She was a 24-year-old waif who had made a good impression in Hollywood and on the stage but had yet to solidify her fame.

As for the question of whether Hepburn would be more than a one-hit wonder, the years have provided an unassailable answer. In the decades that followed the release of Sabrina, Hepburn become one of the 20th century’s most iconic stars, and it was just as photographer Shaw predicted.

These intimate photographs below, which were taken by Shaw provide some hint of what made Hepburn different: rather than trailing her at parties or even in front of the camera, the photographer focused on her workaday life. She got up early for work, went to the studio, got ready to film Sabrina, practiced ballet and got ready for another day of work.









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