General Motors was a pioneer exhibitor back in the mid-century often with the technical assistance of Walt Disney's Imagineers. Futarama was a ride at the New York World's Fair in 1939 and was updated for the 1964 fair which offered its riders a glimpse into what life in the year 2024 would be like. This promotional film by General Motors follows a young boy as he explores a lunar base of operation, an Antarctic weather forecasting center, undersea exploration and the typical positive 1960s thinking about the future of American design and living. The ride itself was one of the most popular attractions at the fair with over 25 million passengers during the 6 months it was open and the building which housed it was one of the largest buildings ever built for a World's Fair. You can ride Futarama too, complete with astonishing music after the jump.
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This is Los Angeles International Airport (Jetport), it was built in the late 1950s and was at the time one of the biggest airports in America. They first envisioned it to be even bigger in the anticipation of the "jet age" with lots of terminals and buildings connected through a huge steel-and-glass dome building but the plan was deemed unrealistic and scrapped. Instead the famous LAX landmark "Theme Building" was built. It was designed by architecture firm Pereira & Luckman who made it resemble a UFO that had landed in the middle of the parking lot. The building still stands there today and with its Googie designed look it should attract anyone with a interest in retro futuristic design. It also features a restaurant called "Encounter" which opened in 1997. At one time the roof of the building was open for spectators but it was closed due to security concerns after the 9/11 attacks. More postcards after the jump.
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Do you know who Tom Collins is? Ever tried a Old Fashioned? Here are a couple of ideas for drinks that will make sure that your next retro themed Mad Men cocktail party is one for the books. Which is your favorite retro cocktail? Bottoms up from Ultra Swank.
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Mr. Lucky was a relatively short-lived (34 episodes) 1959-1960 television series. It starred actors John Vivyan as the suave professional gambler, "Mr. Lucky", and Ross Martin as his sidekick, Andamo. Most of the action in this crime drama took place on or around Mr. Lucky’s floating casino/pad called "The Fortuna". Possibly the most memorable thing about the show was the cool, jazzy theme and background music which was composed and conducted by Henry Mancini. The original LP cover looks great framed and hanging in any swank bachelor’s (or bachelorette’s) pad.
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Don't know who i am referring to? Well you might know her better under her nickname "Twiggy" (from twig – tree). Twiggy was born September 19, 1949 in Neasden, London. She became famous in the swingin' 60s as a model icon and revolutionized the fashion world with her slim and boyish figure, short hair and big eyes that set trends all over the world. From then on every girl and young woman wanted to look like Twiggy. Now for her 60th birthday, the National Portrait Gallery in London is showing a exhibition in her name and launching a new photographic biography book of her life. The event Twiggy: A Life in Photographs will be on display from September 19th, 2009 until March 21st, 2010. You could also easily run in to her at the book -signing event today Friday 18th September between 1pm and 2pm. Happy Birthday Twiggy!
If you ever wondered how it was like living in the old communist eastern Europe but were unable to do so before the wall fell? Here is your chance. In the heart of the former eastern side of Berlin lies a quite ordinary looking concrete apartment building that once was home to dozens of people, but today houses the quite unusual DDR-designed and inspired hostel (Ostel). Once inside, you have a selection that ranges from tastefully designed single or double rooms that let you travel back in time to relive the style of the 1960s and 1970s in Europe. If you are traveling in a bigger group you can get your own apartment that houses up to six people. Prices start at a very reasonable 9 euros per night and if you are traveling without a set of wheels, the Ostel also offers bicycle renting – and wireless Internet access for all of you who are not quite ready to let go. For more information and bookings, visit the Ostel website.
You love stewardesses don't you? So do I. Flying today is not the way it was used to be, so to remind you all of how elegant, exciting and swank traveling by airplane used to be here are a bunch of photos taken from the golden years of flying circa 1950s to the 1970s. For a real life story on how flying used to be, check out the story I did with former Pan Am stewardess Valerie Waterman. Which is your favorite still in operation airline? (Via) [Thanks Chester]
Images via Vacations.com
Film noir was used to describe a particular type of Hollywood crime movies that was made popular in the 1940s and 1950s. It usually centered around murders, damsels in distress and private investigators and set in a heavy black and white contrast – creating the famous visual style with long shadows and very little light. The term Film noir (dark film) was actually first used in 1946 when a French critic applied to it to describe the movies in America at that time. A guy that goes under the mysterious name Doctor Macro has scanned and retouched a huge bunch of posters and photographs of celebrities of the time and is presenting them in high resolution downloads on his website – so for more 'femme fatales' and mysterious men in hats, head over there straight away.
