Category: vintage

Time Stopped

Photographer Unknown, (Time Stopped: A Fraction of a Second Until 10:10)

“The main thing you remember is the noise. All that water cascading around you sounds kind of brutal, kind of dangerous, but time has stopped, so all you do is try to hang on and hope that nature, the ocean, treats you well. I just recall seeing another surfer way down the beach, and then it was all over and I was out, and safe, going wow, wow, that was a gift from nature.”
― Robert Black

An Era Gone By

Photographer Unknown, (An Era Gone By: Jones Sewing Machine)

The Jones Sewing Machine Company was a British manufacturer of sweing machines founded in 1860 by William Jones and Thomas Chadwick under the name ‘Chadwick and Jones’ that later become known as the Jones Sewing Machine Company. The Jones patent for his popular Serpent Neck model appeared in 1879. These were manufactured until 1909. The machine pictured employ a transverse boat shuttle mechanism forming a lock stitch. Many of the Jones machines displayed very ornamental decoration ensuring that they were kept in good condition as decorative items in the household.

Guy Jones, “1911: A Trip Through New York City”: Film History Series

Guy Jones, “1911: A Trip Through New York City”

Videographer Guy Jones edited century-old film to more accurately match the video standards of the present day. For the black and white clip of New York City in 1911 shown above, Jones slowed down the film’s original speed and added ambient sound to match the activity seen on the city’s streets. The subtle additions allow for a more engaging experience when viewing of the 20th-century footage, and presents the urban milieu in a more realistic light.

This particular film print was created by the Swedish company Svenska Biografteatern company during a trip to America, and remains in mint condition.

The Cowboy

Photographer Unknown, Vintage Photo of Cowboy, 1890

“Up to a point a man’s life is shaped by environment, heredity, and movements and changes in the world about him; then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes to be. Only the weak blame parents, their race, their times, lack of good fortune, or the quirks of fate. Everyone has it within his power to say, this I am today, that I shall be tomorrow. The wish, however, must be implemented by deeds.”
― Louis L’Amour, The Walking Drum

Wrigley’s Gum

In 1892, Wrigley Jr. began packaging chewing gum with each can of baking powder. The chewing gum eventually became more popular than the baking powder and Wrigley’s reoriented the company to produce the gum.

Wrigley began using twins to market the classic Spearmint chewing gum in 1939, playing off the idea that you should “Double your pleasure, double your fun, with Doublemint Gum.” Since 1960, the commercials have featured twins (even some famous ones) chewing along to the upbeat Doublemint tune.