Grad student lives 1950s lifestyle for project

Newhouse News ^ | 2/21/2007 | Tracy Davis

[Wolfie]

And now we know the value of a Master's Degree from her school.

[RockinRight]

Perhaps most surprising is that there have been so many happy ones. For example, Wall estimates she'll save up to $400 this month because it feels more "real'' to spend cash than to use an ATM card.

If I did that I probably wouldn't spend a dime. I'm never off work when the banks are open to take out money.

[RockinRight]

Does she get to pay 1950 prices too?

[Ax]

My brother works for the Post Office. He WISHES that I'd write him letters. He refuses to use email since he feels he's cutting his own throat. He retires at the end of this year and maybe he'll join the rest of us in the 21st Century.

I used to pride myself on my penmanship. Those nuns at All Saints would be proud of me. But in the last ten years, it has deteriorated significantly since I rarely write anything anymore beyond signing the odd check; I pay almost all my bills on line.

[Gothmog]

Don't know why all the cranky naysayers on this thread.

You can get a lot of old radio shows on tape/CD/whatever and they're great to listen to w/out video (using your imagination? How dare!)

Some of the old newsreels are hillarious. I remember one from the 1930s touting the wonderful development of all those 'new fascists' growing up in Italy, ha ha ha. 'What a fine group of young fascists' it proclaimed as young men did military exercise regimens. Something to emulate!

I would give her a bye to use new technology to really re-create the news/entertainment atmosphere.

I think it's interesting she has explored 'new' ways of living, like reading and actually speaking to people. Anyways, just my 2 cents.

[PUGACHEV]

My Dad had a TV from the 40's that I inherited. With a massive cabinet and a small round screen, it must have been one of the first TVs you could buy. I remember my Dad telling me that the Dumont Network broadcast a big band concert from the top of the Shorham Hotel in Washington D.C., and that was about the only thing on back then.

[Marie2]

Why would she need birth control?

[RockinRight]

In Ann Arbor there was no TV in 1950. The Detroit stations were up and running but IIRC, the signals much weaker than today, making reception with an indoor antenna (which is what most middle class people had, at best) quite difficult.

[rightinthemiddle]

"Sounds good to me."

[RockinRight]

Wasn't there a movie about this?

;-)

[P-40]

Why would she need birth control?

To not get pregnant is the usual reason. :)

[Menehune56]

Interesting article. She's kind of cute too and has a good attitude.

[COBOL2Java]

The house was built in 1962, and my wife and I are planning to decorate it in the styles of the late 50s to early 60s.

Don't forget the pipe!

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Or an even better question, has she been dressing in proper period attire?

[Gator101]

I don't think I could go so far as to relinquish all of the technology we have in our home.

They make some pretty cool "retro" electronics that look old but still perform like a modern pieces of equipment (For example a multiple cd player inside a wood-style radio housing) It sounds like a fun project..best of luck. Don't forget a bomb shelter in the backyard!

[reagan_fanatic]

I can remember hearing the National Anthem before the stations closed for the night.

Wow - thanks for reminding me of that. It's easy to forget stuff like that with stations broadcasting 24 hr a day now.

I also remember the indian-head test pattern that my local station used to put on when they first signed on. How politically incorrect was that?

[DustyMoment]

I know Civil War reenactors who live in the 19th Century.

I know an entire political party that lives there with them!! LOL!!!

[DustyMoment]

It's a silly project lacking in any real scholarly merit.

That's what I was thinking, too. What's the point??

[polymuser]

Should've picked 1940 instead -- no penicillin.
Wonder if she'll re-institute the smoking lounge?
She can't have non-seasonal fruit and veggies in winter, either, just canned.
She can only listen to am radio and records.

[Lijahsbubbe]

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