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Washington, D.C., circa 1925. "Holy Name office group." An impressive array of Jazz Age office equipment and hairstyles. National Photo Co. View full size.
I wonder why it took so many years from the invention of the typewriter (1870) before they were manufactured with cases that enclosed the mechanicals? Certainly a case would cut down on the noise the machine made, and would prevent (especially) dirt and dust from gumming up the works.
Next I'm going to ponder why all women's shoes of the 1920s had straps.
Many of the photographs on Shorpy, from much earlier times, show the clothing of the period, but especially the respect that office workers, and others had for their job, etc. Another aspect of many photographs is that they show such wonderful woodworking and respective detail. More modern times, as well as current construction, exhibits a variety of detail taken from many periods in history. New ideas and designs can provide a fresh look at the use of wood and other materials.
Let me get my leisure suit, disco ball and sideburns -- oops, wrong decade!
Terrific picture. It makes me thankful that I have my own desk and office!
Is that a dog's water bowl on the floor to the left?
Even in so mundane a setting as that, beautiful penmanship seems to have been part and parcel of everyone's existence! The artistic flourish in that capital "A" is worthy of framing!
Must be a busy place, four supervisors for six clerks and a sign extolling the employees to work faster! I wonder what it was really like?
I believe the "Red Wheel Taxi Company" ad to the left shows an artist's rendering of John Russell Pope's Theodore Roosevelt Memorial design of 1925. This memorial was never funded by Congress and Pope went on to design the Jefferson Memorial in the same location years later. It would be interesting to find the original design of the TR Memorial and compare.
[The taxi ad shows Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery. - Dave]
I stand corrected. I was looking for something close to the heart of DC and should have "crossed the river" during my search before posting. Thank you for the info.
just got a humorous email from woman third from left. LOL.
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