In 1925, a Brooklyn photographer asked kids what they wanted to be when they grew up. Their answers reveal class, gender, race, and the future of work.
1920’s
Ethel Hays and the Cartoon Style Wars of the 1920s
In 1925, cartoonist Ethel Hays mocked outdated art styles in “Styles Don’t Fit The Age As They Used To.” Here’s what the cartoon meant and why it still matters.
The 1925 Kansas College Dog Collar Protest
In 1925, Kansas college women wore dog collars to say “We wear no man’s collar.” Male students locked them on. Here’s what happened and why it mattered.
After-School Life in 1925: 5 Things Kids Really Did
What did kids do after school in 1925? From chores and jobs to street games and radio, here are 5 real parts of American childhood between the bells.
5 Things a 1925 Name Survey Reveals About Identity
In May 1925, a New York newspaper asked people if they liked their own names. Here are 5 surprising things that simple question reveals about identity and change.
What If 1920s Men Had Married Earlier?
A 1925 New York photo feature asked single men why they weren’t married yet. What if their answers had changed? How different would marriage, money, and gender roles look today?
“Which Is The Ideal Girl?”: 5 Things 1925 Got Wrong
In 1925, newspapers asked readers to pick the ‘ideal girl.’ Here are 5 things that quiz reveals about beauty standards, sexism, and modern dating culture.
What If 1920s America Took Marital Abuse Seriously?
In 1925 a New York photo feature treated “rough” husbands as a joke. What if that culture had condemned marital abuse instead? Three grounded what-if scenarios.
9 Fascinating Facts About the Glamorous Zelda Fitzgerald
You’re probably familiar with Zelda Fitzgerald as being one of the first flappers. She was a … 9 Fascinating Facts About the Glamorous Zelda FitzgeraldRead more
The Roaring Twenties (Part 1)
Terms like “mass culture” and “consumer society,” help define the United States population during the 1920’s. … The Roaring Twenties (Part 1)Read more