In 1948, Mr. Cig, the Mascot, Handed Out Free Cigarettes to Patients at Hospitals in England

In the 1940s, a promotional campaign featured a human-sized cigarette mascot known as “Mr. Cig” or “Mr. Cigarette” who visited hospital patients. During this era, tobacco companies, including Philip Morris and Camel, distributed free cigarettes and promotional materials to patients in an effort to normalize smoking and associate it with positive concepts like glamour and recovery. These visits occurred when smoking was widely accepted and even seen as a way to calm nerves or help with stress, long before the link between smoking and health issues was fully understood and publicized.

This practice declined after the 1960s as scientific evidence mounted, showing the harmful effects of smoking, leading to major public health campaigns against smoking and its ban in many places.

Regine Jaffry: Muse of 1970s Fashion

Regine Jaffry was a prominent figure in the dynamic world of high fashion and photography during the 1970s, known primarily as the muse and wife of influential fashion photographer Chris von Wangenheim. She was a frequent model in his striking and often provocative editorial work, appearing regularly in major magazines like Vogue. Their professional and personal lives were intrinsically linked, with von Wangenheim’s work reportedly “centered around the photography.”

Jaffry was frequently credited for contributing to his aesthetic vision, offering opinions that he took seriously on set. Her distinct look and sophisticated presence were also captured by other renowned photographers, including Francesco Scavullo, cementing her image as a defining model of the era’s glamorous and experimental style.

Take a look at these glamorous photos to see portraits of fashion model Regine Jaffry in the 1970s.

Regine Jaffry in black and white shirts from Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, silver ring and earrings by Donald Stannard, photo by Kourken Pakchanian, 1972

Regine Jaffry in black wool-silk one shoulder dress by Adolfo, photo by Gianni Penati, Vogue, Februaury 1972

Regine Jaffry in button-down terrycloth robe by John Kloss with grosgrain edging. photo by Alexis Waldeck, Vogue, 1972

Regine Jaffry in cotton poplin trenchcoat by Cortefiel de Espana, photo by Gianni Penati, Vogue, February 1972

Regine Jaffry in Missoni's knit print tank top, turtleneck and matching long pleated skirt, photo by Alexis Waldeck, Vogue, 1972

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35 Beautiful Color Photos Show What Life Looked Like in 1950s America

The 1950s in the United States is often characterized as a period of unprecedented economic prosperity and social stability following World War II. Fueled by the G.I. Bill and a booming industrial sector, millions of middle-class families migrated from cities to newly developed suburban communities like Levittown, cementing the importance of the nuclear family and car ownership.

This era saw the rapid expansion of consumer culture, driven by television advertising and the accessibility of appliances and modern conveniences. While the surface image was one of cheerful conformity, with rigid social roles for men and women, the decade also contained undercurrents of dissent.

The decade marked the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement and the emergence of early rock-and-roll music, which challenged established norms and hinted at the revolutionary social changes that would follow in the 1960s. These beautiful color photos by Oscar Sosa show what life in a 1950s American family looked like.

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David Bowie and Kate Moss Photographed by Ellen von Unwerth for Q Magazine, 2003

These photos are part of an iconic series the famous contemporary photographer Ellen von Unwerth created in 2003 for Q Magazine. The photographs were commissioned for the October 2003 cover and inside pages of the British music magazine. The shoot combines two legends, Kate Moss and David Bowie, who shaped the Western pop culture of the late 20th century. It was notable as the pair had not met before. The session occurred in New York City in a setting featuring midcentury modern furniture, including a couch and a fluffy carpet.

Von Unwerth based the photoshoot on the 1960s film Blow-Up, with Bowie playing a character similar to the photographer in the movie and Moss acting as the model character. The two legends had never met before, and von Unwerth noted that Bowie was immediately protective and warm toward Moss during the spontaneous session.

The resulting images, including the black and white prints, are known for their blend of coolness, elegance, and intimate energy. The images from this series have become iconic and are often featured in exhibitions of Ellen von Unwerth’s work.

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That Time Leonard Nimoy Met Jimi Hendrix in Cleveland, Ohio, 1968

The iconic meeting between Leonard Nimoy and Jimi Hendrix occurred on March 25, 1968, in Cleveland, Ohio, at a nightclub called Otto’s Grotto in the Statler-Hilton Hotel. The encounter was photographed by Jim Marshall and happened by chance, as both men were staying at the same hotel for separate professional engagements.

Leonard Nimoy, famous for his role as Mr. Spock on Star Trek, was in Cleveland to promote his second album, Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy, which featured covers of folk-rock and country songs. He was attending a dinner in honor of the album's release.

Jimi Hendrix and his band, The Experience, were in town to perform a concert the following day, March 26, as part of their 1968 tour. Earlier that evening, Hendrix had been jamming with a local band called Good Earth at the same hotel.

During Nimoy’s dinner, someone informed him that Jimi Hendrix was in the next room and wished to meet him. Nimoy, a fan of Hendrix’s work, agreed immediately. He later recalled the moment: “I thought about it for a nanosecond, and I said ‘bring him in.’”

The two cultural icons hit it off, chatting for hours. Hendrix was a devoted science fiction enthusiast and a fan of Star Trek, while Nimoy was a great admirer of Hendrix’s musical talent. Nimoy described Hendrix as“"charming,” “very nice,” and a “great, great artist.”

According to Noel Redding, The Experience’s bassist who was also present, Nimoy later joined the band in their hotel room to “smoke a joint and commiserate over the utter boredom generated by press affairs.” The conversation reportedly continued until the early hours of the morning.

Hollywood Pin-Up Queen: Stunning Color Photos of 1940s Icon Betty Grable

Betty Grable (1916–1973) was an American actress, dancer, and singer whose exceptional popularity made her one of the highest-paid stars in Hollywood during the 1940s. Known for her infectious blonde glamour and radiant screen presence, she became the number-one box-office attraction for several years, primarily starring in lavish 20th Century Fox musical comedies.

Grable’s most enduring legacy, however, is her status as the quintessential World War II pin-up girl; her famous back-facing photo in a white swimsuit was the most reproduced image of its kind and became a powerful morale booster for millions of Allied servicemen. She was famously insured for a million dollars by the studio for her legs alone.

Grable symbolized the cheerful optimism and glamour of wartime America, cementing her place as a true Hollywood icon. Take a look at these stunning color photos to see the beauty of young Betty Grable in the 1940s.

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33 Amazing Photos From the Set of “Subway” (1985)

The 1985 French film Subway, directed by Luc Besson, gained its behind the scenes notoriety from being shot almost entirely in real locations across the Paris Métro system, often in a run-and-go fashion, using the actual stations and tunnels as the backdrop for its surreal, character-driven story.

The production filmed in active parts of the Paris subway, which was a challenging logistical feat at the time. The low-budget, independent nature of the production meant the crew frequently moved gear in and out of stations and had to work around the operational schedule of the metro. This contributed to a very demanding physical shoot for cast and crew alike.

Director Luc Besson and his team aimed to capture the authentic, raw atmosphere of the real metro, from the noise of the trains to the lighting of the platforms, rather than building studio sets. This approach leant a genuine feel to the film's “slice-of-life” portrayal of the underground community.

Subway is considered a key film in the French “cinéma du look” movement, which prioritized strong, stylized visuals and a focus on characters and style over deep, conventional plot.

A memorable scene features the character “Le Roller,” played by Jean-Hugues Anglade, roller-skating at high speed through the tunnels and down escalators. The stunts for this were performed by the French roller-skating champion of the time.

Despite its unconventional style and challenging filming environment, Subway was a huge box-office success in France and garnered critical acclaim, winning three César Awards. The film’s unique setting, character portrayals by now-famous actors like Christopher Lambert, Isabelle Adjani, and Jean Reno, and its distinct 1980s aesthetic solidified its status as a cult classic.

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