The Q at Parkside

(for those for whom the Parkside Q is their hometrain)

News and Nonsense from the Brooklyn neighborhood of Lefferts and environs, or more specifically a neighborhood once known as Melrose Park. Sometimes called Lefferts Gardens. Or Prospect-Lefferts Gardens. Or PLG. Or North Flatbush. Or Caledonia (west of Ocean). Or West Pigtown. Across From Park Slope. Under Crown Heights. Near Drummer's Grove. The Side of the Park With the McDonalds. Jackie Robinson Town. Home of Lefferts Manor. West Wingate. Near Kings County Hospital. Or if you're coming from the airport in taxi, maybe just Flatbush is best.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Don't Believe in Miracles? How about...AC?

This just in from the Saturday Evening Post, er, 60 years ago - soon, man will have vanquished summer.

Please relish with me nearly any quote from the below brilliant snapshot of a nation about to forever change the locations of our national urbanity (Phoenix, anyone?) and the very climate itself (global weirding). I mean, how amazing is air conditioning? And how seductively destructive?

Yes, there was a time not so very long ago, when, during heat waves, there was no cool air to be found...anywhere. Even refrigeration was new to in mid-20th century (my dad grew up with an actual icebox). Those with even a little bit of money literally headed for the hills - the Catskills was all about escaping the City heat. Oh, and wee bit of Dirty Dancing of course!

For those of you like me who are just plain curious about what life was REALLY like in the 40's, 50's and 60's, there's no better read that the Saturday Evening Post. I'm thrilled that the old archives are now available on the online. Enjoy!


2 comments:

Bergen Refrigeration said...

Innovation and technology makes our life so much easier, can`t think of today`s without refrigeration.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm. African Americans had so much more to worry about at that time. I just cannot relate to the article.