Is it Còke or Coca Cola? 1950
After the Allied victory in World War II, Coca-Cola decided to bring its carbonated drink to France. The fizzy drink had been available well before the 1950s, and while the rest of the world was enjoying it for decades, France was left in the dark. People received it with skepticism at first, but it soon became a bubbly celebration. The men in the photo here are clearly eyeing the unknown substance with suspicion.
Coca-Cola introduced itself to France with the slogan “Drink Fresh,” touring the streets, handing out free samples in what Coke now calls “La Rèvolution du Froid” or “The Cold Revolution.” In 1945, a clever ad campaign played on the sentimentality of the French, with salesmen wearing plain boiler suits designed to remind Parisians of the Americans liberating Europeans at the end of the war.
Veronica Lake and Her Famous Golden Locks
One of Hollywood’s most famous blonde bombshells (and we ain’t talking about Marilyn Monroe) is the gorgeous Veronica Lake. However, her real name was Constance Frances Marie Ockelman. Quite a mouthful, right? Throughout the 1940s, Lake experienced great success owing to her great talent, garnering both popular and critical acclaim for her various film roles.
Her famous “Golden Locks” or ‘peek-a-boo’ hairstyle became something of a trademark. However, all that glitters is not gold, and unfortunately, Lake had a drinking problem which led to something a lot direr. In some ways, the iconic actress is often forgotten behind the scandal and great beauty of Monroe, but we know that Lake was a driving force behind the leading ladies of Hollywood, and no discussion of the Golden Age is complete without mentioning Lake!
A War Vet to the Rescue
U.S. Marine Frank Praytor probably had no idea of the reception this photograph would have back home while he was serving as a combat correspondent in Korea. Shown here nursing a kitten, he took it upon himself to take a couple of newborn kittens under his care. In a time of war and chaos, it would’ve given him that morale boost to get him through.
Photographers were always on the lookout for images that would be favorable back home to show the kind side of a war that was undoubtedly horrific. This image appeared in over 1,700 newspapers and definitely pulled on the heartstrings of the public, not to mention the ladies! Women from all over the United States actually sent love letters, asking to marry him!
The Kennedy Wedding, 1953
At just 24 years old, Jacqueline Bouvier wedded the future President of the U.S., John F. Kennedy. Bouvier was 12 years his junior! Around 2,000 fans stood outside the church, while 800 attended the beautiful reception at Hammersmith Farm — a 300-acre farm owned by the family of Jackie’s stepfather. No doubt it was a fancy, elegant affair, and why not? Bouvier was a socialite in her own right, and Kennedy had just been elected to represent Massachusetts.
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy was a woman of grace and great beauty, and she had a wedding to match. Her stepfather, Hugh Auchincloss, gave her away in an ivory silk dress with a stunning portrait neckline and bouffant skirt. The happy couple left shortly after the wedding reception for their honeymoon in Acapulco, Mexico. We love the mirth and glee on the couple’s faces. Unfortunately, however, this was to last only ten years before the famous tragedy hit Jacqueline and the US.
Consumer Society
Mass consumerism and resultant excess are trends that don’t seem to know how to slow down in our modern world. Andreas Gursky’s century-turning photo encapsulates these feelings and ideas perfectly. Aptly named '99 Cents,' this image of 1001 consumer products paradoxically became the most expensive contemporary photo purchased at one point in time.
The photograph is a collage of sorts, consisting of multiple images taken in a discount “99 Cents only” store in Los Angeles and meshed together using graphic design software. If you really concentrate on the photo, it turns into an illusion of sorts. The endless hypnotic rows of merchandise with consumers poking their heads among the shelves become a colorful mixture of reality and fiction—the image sold for a record-breaking $2.3 million at auction.