The 1940’s:

1. The 1940’s:

2. Fads Welcome to the 1940’s!!!! The 40’s gave way to the invention and reinvention of a few classic items: ~Marbles and the Yo-yo can be Seen in history as early as 500BC but both made a come back in the 40’s. ~The bikini, named after an island in the South Pacific, was invented but didn’t receive much acclaim until a little later in it’s history. ~The erector set, although invented in 1911, became very popular in the 1940’s. ~Levittown, also known as suburban living, became very popular when William Levitt invented a very simple and affordable home for families.

3. Fashion Nylon Riot!!! Fashion in the 1940’s was limited by what was availible during the war. The Zoot Suit became popular for men as you can see in the middle top picture. The nylon stocking was introduced in 1940 and was a huge success, but it was taken off shelves because nylon supplies were needed for military use.

4. Music & movies “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Casablanca, 1943 Best Picture Winners 1940-49 1940-Rebecca 1945-The Lost Weekend 1941-How Green Was My Valley 1946-The Best Years of Our Lives 1942-Mrs. Miniver 1947-Gentlemen’s Agreement 1943-Casablanca 1948-Hamlet 1944- Going My Way 1949-All The King’s Men “Don’t believe everything you hear on the radio.” Citizen Cane, 1941 Hits of the 40’s Sentimental Journey Les Brown & His Orchestra, Doris Day You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It) Harry James & His Orchestra Some Enchanted Evening Ezio Pinza I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm Les Brown & His Orchestra “Look ,Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.” It’s a Wonderful Life, 1946

5. During the 1940s the sporting world was changed by the events that engaged and shaped the entire world. Sports During World War II in the United States Heavyweight Boxing Champion Joe Louis and numerous stars and performers from American baseball and other sports served in the armed forces until the end of the war. Among the baseball players who served during World War II were Moe Berg, Joe Dimaggio, Bob Feller, Hank Greenberg, and Ted Williams. With America's entry into World War II, several major league baseball executives started a new professional league with women players in order to maintain baseball in the public eye while the majority of able men were away. Initial tryouts were held at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The 1940 and1944 Olympic Games were cancelled because of World War II. The Summer Olympics were resumed in 1948 in London and the Winter games were held that year in St. Moritz Switzerland.

6. Literature Edith Hamilton was an American educator was had A love for the Greek classics. She published Mythology in 1942. It retells stories of Greek, Roman and Norse Mythology. Hamilton helped Show the importance of classic literature in today’s World. This book is still the primary introductory text on myths. Animal Farm was written by George Orwell and was published in 1945. Orwell was well known for his controversial books. This book as well as Nineteen Eighty-Four were on a forbidden list of books. Many of the topics and scenes in Animal Farm represent actual events that took Place during WWII. Death of a Salesman was written by Arthur Miller and was Introduced on stage in 1949. It ran for 745 performances And won both a Tony and the Pulitzer Prize. For Whom the Bell Tolls was written by Ernest Hemingway and was published in 1940. Ernest Hemingway was different and a bit controversial for a couple reasons. He Wrote most of his books in a language that mixed contemporary English and old English. He also freely used foul language in his writing. However, he lived in Havana were such language was Frequently used in Spanish. The Diary of a Young Girl was written by Anne Frank While she and her family were in hiding during WWII. It tells what she and her family had to go through and What happened to many of her friends and family. It Was recovered and published by Anne’s father, the only Surviving family member.