It's time once again for my annual #treebybike post. This is the December 19, 1942 cover of The New Yorker, so one full year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This would be the first real Christmas alone, or without a family member, for millions. Gas and tire rationing had begun that year. #bikesky - ThreadSky

jameslonghurst.bsky.social • 85 days ago

It's time once again for my annual #treebybike post. This is the December 19, 1942 cover of The New Yorker, so one full year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This would be the first real Christmas alone, or without a family member, for millions. Gas and tire rationing had begun that year. #bikesky

Comments

judgingcat.bsky.social•84 days ago

We need to revitalize transport alternatives everywhere. Car centric infrastructure is a boon to the fossil fuel/automotive industries and a great social separator. We are disconnected and antisocial nowadays, cars are a huge contributing factor. Fight for public transport and non-Euclidean zoning!

revenend.bsky.social•85 days ago

I feel this, being the first Christmas without a family member.

pettine4hair.bsky.social•85 days ago

It seems the younger generation s have no appreciation for the sacrifices made by so many in our history. Not sure if it’s the fault of schools families or both.

plowandstars.bsky.social•85 days ago

My father always felt bad he had gas coupons during the war. He was responsible for manufacturing nearly all of the sterile surgical gloves, inflatable survival vests, and other medical items required to save lives.

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

absolute wartime essentials; deserving of a C rationing sticker for critical usage. X stickers were for politicians and generals.

lindae42.bsky.social•84 days ago

My dad would soon be in the Pacific serving in the U.S.N. I would turn 1 year old on Jan 1, 1943. He would be gone for the next 3+ years. It would just be my mom, a 4th grade teacher, and me On the Home Front. (I am sick to my stomach that we have chosen to kill the country they loved.)

mybestfriendkevin.bsky.social•85 days ago

This is from about 15 years ago. Borrowed a utility trailer and got it done!

carolinenb.bsky.social•85 days ago

You don't have Dutch ancestors by any chance, do you? #nederland #fietsen

mybestfriendkevin.bsky.social•85 days ago

Norwegian by way of Denmark and then the US.

barb-t.bsky.social•70 days ago

Same here!
G-grandparents. Norway to Denmark-lived in an area absorbed into Germany. Did not want to be conscripted into their army-immigrated to the U.S.!

carolinenb.bsky.social•85 days ago

Ah, okay. But you got the Bike Gene anyway. Dutch people move *house* on their bikes, without trailer.

mybestfriendkevin.bsky.social•85 days ago

As do Americans. That trailer has moved lots of people :)

carolinenb.bsky.social•85 days ago

Aaaah, good on ya.

rubygirl11.bsky.social•85 days ago

This is available in 1,000 piece puzzle too.

birdsinmyattic.bsky.social•85 days ago

Very cool ahh nostalgia even if it's sad .

karensclark.bsky.social•85 days ago

My mother was one that helped the war by working making bullets. Out of the house and into a factory. Women are strong and resilient creatures.

wreathb.bsky.social•84 days ago

And some Americans complain about the price of eggs…

gaylordthek9.bsky.social•85 days ago

Thank you!

jazzrat2000.bsky.social•84 days ago

The New Yorker has always been hip. the New York Times used to be sort of hip but now it's unhipped completely

arzt-paul.bsky.social•84 days ago

Great! If everything else fails the bike is our most reliable transportation

gscl.bsky.social•83 days ago

📌

shenison.bsky.social•84 days ago

So much captured in that image. Thank you for putting it in perspective.

dkamboh.bsky.social•84 days ago

Nice! Pls fb

whit1234.bsky.social•70 days ago

My parents were 8 years old that year and my grandparents were 29 and 34 years old.

johnmcnair.bsky.social•84 days ago

I like how you've framed this is what was the bigger picture at the time. Labour difficulties too, as well as supply issues for some commodities. America desperately trying to build up its armed forces. Reverses or set-backs on nearly every front the Allies were engaged in. A grim time in many ways.

azdotconnector.bsky.social•85 days ago

I which that generation could talk to the Maga folks….they would “straighten them out” Pronto.

resistor1212.bsky.social•85 days ago

My father enlisted in the US Army at this time, following his old brother into service, who was US Navy. My mother’s twin was a Marine, youngest brother Navy & her eldest sister a WAC. Back when Americans fought against fascists pigs. I carry their torches.

emilyinthelibrary.bsky.social•85 days ago

Thank you for this. A good reminder of carrying on in the face of hard times.

michaeljjohnson.bsky.social•84 days ago

Beautiful reminder

Of what our antifa parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles…endured.

ilikethis94392.bsky.social•85 days ago

Man I wish I can read that book

pej9.bsky.social•85 days ago

An indomitable spirit conquers all.

wnyeml.bsky.social•85 days ago

I've Carried both tree(not x-mas) and or a chainsaw on my bike. The chainsaw was way harder to deal with😂😂

laurascalzo.bsky.social•85 days ago

I love this. Thank you.

justinferriman.bsky.social•85 days ago

Wow. Festive, yet powerful undertones.

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

yes, exactly. I'm really fascinated how the 2016 Talbots cover strips out the reality of Christmas 1942; 1942 was a year of just terrible war news, which would be how the audience would view the New Yorker original. The woman on '42 cover might even have been a widow, in the minds of some viewers.

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

The same thing happens with the Rosie poster, of course. In modern reincarnations, it is stripped of wartime sacrifice and conflict and becomes a symbol of feminine independence, strength and self-determination.

drawgrahamly.bsky.social•85 days ago

Thanks for the context, this image is great.

julita81.bsky.social•85 days ago

Thanks for posting this. It is good to be reminded of how much things have changed and yet still remain the same in important ways. I love that it's a woman bringing home the tree!

mmcarthur.bsky.social•85 days ago

I feel ya. I've been alone for the past 7 years. Sister is in Germany, just lost one of my brothers a month ago, and my other brother is in Cali along with the rest of my fam.

kspi.bsky.social•85 days ago

Love The New Yorker covers. Thanks for sharing this!

shanghaiog.bsky.social•85 days ago

There is a 1944 New Yorker piece in which all the captured Axis cities and battlefields are offered as Christmas presents to the American people. I'll have to dig around for it.

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

What an odd sentiment. I’d be interested to read it.

Reminds me a bit of the closing minutes of the very weird (to our eyes) movie “Mission to Moscow” (1943)

springtime7.bsky.social•84 days ago

And yet, the cover is calming and sweet.

thebear81.bsky.social•84 days ago

Enjoyed your post very much and thank you for sharing this with us all.

ftwaygal.bsky.social•85 days ago

That’s a wonderful image

shakaroniatekeni.bsky.social•85 days ago

Father in law (Iowa store owner) told me trousers had no pockets to save cloth for war effort.

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

yes, also narrow lapels, short waists for men's suits. The Office of Price Administration, which administered the Victory Bike rationing program, also administered food, clothing, gas rationing. Leon Henderson (guy in suit on the bike in above photo) was New Deal administrator of wartime rationing.

shakaroniatekeni.bsky.social•85 days ago

He lived in Omaha and served setting up radio air traffic control
Instantly on captured island after island in Pacific - he said while the fighting was still a mile away to get US aircraft established.

pthorwartl.bsky.social•85 days ago

Weihnachten '42 und "Gas". Da schüttelt's einen Deutschsprachigen.

ungatru.bsky.social•85 days ago

@coolbikeart1.bsky.social

tanissue.bsky.social•85 days ago

I’m just imagining MAGA being told they need to ration anything for the greater good of all. 😂

eileenmont.bsky.social•85 days ago

Imagine how Americans would respond today to rationing let alone buying bonds themselves to help support their troops.

goodgreatokayish.bsky.social•84 days ago

📌

dkennedy1.bsky.social•84 days ago

Kind of like today with World War III looming in the background. My mother keeps telling me, “Stock up on dry goods and beans. War is coming.” I usually by that anyway to last a few days. However, regarding the political climate and breakout of wars. I find myself buying a little more.

jakenewborn.bsky.social•85 days ago

Continuing the tradition here in Milwaukee!

mishagriffith.bsky.social•85 days ago

My grandmother was a florist during WW2 and she had a C ration sticker.

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

Strategically important flower deliveries.

mishagriffith.bsky.social•85 days ago

Yes. We even have letters from service men --no return address -- ordering corsages for their mothers on Mother's Day.

cdp4nature.bsky.social•85 days ago

Thanks.

ladydye7.bsky.social•85 days ago

Perfect example of we will be okay. This isn't our first rodeo. Knowledge of history is vital!

phoophie.bsky.social•84 days ago

Not the first year of that war for canada ,uk and other allies tho . This was three years in

sheilanj.bsky.social•84 days ago

Thank you for sharing the picture and history behind it.

always4bangtan.bsky.social•85 days ago

📌

fdr1.bsky.social•85 days ago

Sad thing is we would be fighting on the wrong side if it were to happen again.

rachelherrera11.bsky.social•84 days ago

I always wondered what it was like for my grandparents during that time. I know my grandmother and great aunt worked at Boeing during ww2

rachelherrera11.bsky.social•84 days ago

At least there is a dog !

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•84 days ago

She has a scottie dog or Scotch Terrier, which might also have a political resonance for the audience of this cover; the breed would have been popular or immediately recognizable in 1942 because of President FDR's ever-present and well-known dog, Fala.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6728526

eleasa.bsky.social•85 days ago

My very elderly aunt tells me about the coupons and rationing.

dalebritt.bsky.social•84 days ago

Excellent history lesson. Thank you for sharing this.

kristiedee.bsky.social•85 days ago

Beautiful. Love the meaning.

slashlos.bsky.social•84 days ago

Yeah it has gone up a bit, favor print and $1 an issue offers can be had; I hope they continue.

timbasuino.bsky.social•85 days ago

Love this! Using one's bike instead of a car would go a long way to re-establishing communities across the great land, even in suburban/rural areas. No need to take your f-ing metal deathbox everywhere.

rasputinforever.bsky.social•85 days ago

I did this puzzle and it was challenging but rewarding.

artieoz.bsky.social•85 days ago

And people think they’re doing it tough. No comparison

maggicarter.bsky.social•85 days ago

It appears we didn't learn anything from WW2 - Gaza is wondering why the US is supporting a violent, racist ethno-state carrying out genocide...

brianlokker.bsky.social•85 days ago

That’s a great cover.

classicnal.bsky.social•85 days ago

Just lovely. ❤️

doraexploradora.bsky.social•85 days ago

Thank you for sharing. Very interesting. 🚲

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

Facing rationing, feds had promoted the idea of controlled production and distribution of adult bicycles to fill in for lost automobility. So adult cycling was a sign of patriotic sacrifice for the war effort. The Victory Bike program was more symbol than reality.

https://bikebattles.net/2020/03/reconsidering-the-victory-bike-in-wwii/

billjank.bsky.social•85 days ago

That bike is awesome.

othagreat.bsky.social•84 days ago

I'll bet u ANY amount of $ tht African-Americans WEREN'T able 2 get those Bikes!!

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

The Victory Bike program is fondly remembered (esp by cyclists) but it was more facade than reality; early promises of production were eventually reduced and zeroed out by the end of the war. I wrote about this in Bike Battles then followed up with more in TRR.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0361198118794288

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

But the memory of the Victory Bike program, and the imagery of women on the homefront bravely independent in wartime work on bicycles, persists in spirit. This 2016 Talbots catalog cover re-creates the 1942 New Yorker #treebybike cover quite faithfully, down to the dog and the farmhouse and layout.

glocke.bsky.social•85 days ago

Wow Talbots. That’s great.

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

It's important that the figure on the 42 New Yorker cover is a woman. Men had departed that year for wartime service, and women were left on the homefront alone. The press was filled with stories of women making do without either men or cars; brave patriotic sacrifice was the theme, not suffering.

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

Also, to analyze the '42 New Yorker cover: the woman in the image isn't lonely; she's stylish, in bright colors, celebrating the holiday with her scottie dog at her side. Her independence does not come at the expensive of her femininity. It's an aspirational image of independence and self-reliance.

annehawley.bsky.social•85 days ago

I love the clear description of practical clothes for cycling in cold weather.

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

As a policy historian, my conclusion from the Victory Bike program is that it *could* have lived up to its 1941-2 rhetoric of fed program assisting alternate mobility in the face of wartime rationing, but ultimately did not because of complicated and somewhat unrelated strategic materials decisions.

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

But the strategic choice to limit rather than expand adult bike production in wartime strangled the industry and market at the end of the war. The US *could* have exited wartime with a broad commitment to different transportation modes, but ultimately did not, and that was a choice, not inevitable.

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

And choices can be made and re-made. Our transportation systems and cities can be made into what we want by decisions we make now, because they were made by decisions in the past. We can decide the future of our cities by what we do now, because we are the future's past.

huesopedroso.bsky.social•85 days ago

Preciosa portada.

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

El libro también está disponible en traducción: Las Batallas de la Bici.

https://katakrak.net/cas/editorial/libro/las-batallas-de-la-bici

slatslindley.bsky.social•85 days ago

I love the New Yorker

bevimac.bsky.social•85 days ago

Wicked Cool. Very Rockwellesque

outerbongolia.bsky.social•85 days ago

The sad thing is:
This picture feels progressive in United States, 2024

trasnitfanla.bsky.social•85 days ago

really fascinating!

rogerjacucci.bsky.social•85 days ago

47 years, 10 months, and 9 days before #Belgian band #Technotronic released their anthem, "Pump up the Jam."

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5MHj3OKC594pU87Wj5H5Fn?si=0SS1f-rZQD6bDkg17VeneQ&pi=CjqWN0uAT0-98

krish12.bsky.social•85 days ago

wantedno1.bsky.social•85 days ago

A good book about those times is The Beatown Girls by Jane Healy. She writes good Historical novels.

moincolumbusoh.bsky.social•85 days ago

Great cover! I just listened to The Home Front: Life in America During World War II. My mother had talked about being a child during WW II.

wecandohardthings.bsky.social•85 days ago

Items various friends have sclepped by bike: a bass + amp; a kayak; the deer they’d shot and hauled out of the woods on their back. Only the musician lacked a car.

claudiamw.bsky.social•84 days ago

Imagine trying to ration gas and tires for THIS crop of Americans.

Republicans would surrender our country to Hitler before they'd comply.

jacekmara2n1.bsky.social•85 days ago

And the fourth in my country

jdegracia.bsky.social•85 days ago

😢

lowbasshum.bsky.social•85 days ago

That supplemental info really makes the picture a powerful image! Thanks for sharing

ericeatspickles.bsky.social•85 days ago

It's such a thing, this page is all about it - & even includes your 1st image! If I was in the market for a tree I'd hope to get it home by bike as well.
https://thisebikelife.com/christmas-tree-by-bike/

mattotcha.bsky.social•85 days ago

And yet, somehow prescient.

reinemargaux.bsky.social•85 days ago

I was thinking today, as I was stuck in traffic, that it truly is an odd tradition to cut down a live tree & bring it into your home.

1fish42fish.bsky.social•85 days ago

They make it look effortless

ricknbacker.bsky.social•84 days ago

By the time Christmas 1940, two years before this magazine was published, had rolled around my dad and his mates had spent several months digging people - alive and dead - out of bombed homes in London. Lots of people here saw out that festive season alone. Including my old man.

wingedhussar.bsky.social•84 days ago

US isolationism didn't help anyone then and it's not going to help anyone now.

grandrevans.bsky.social•85 days ago

I'm genuinely impressed she's balancing the tree on the handlebars!

justicelovr.bsky.social•70 days ago

I know of several well heeled personages who would not have survived the 30's -40's in this world.😏

desiderata3.bsky.social•85 days ago

History, always giving perspective 😅

zacenergy.thekeew.com•85 days ago

How big of a tree do you think you could get home on a bike practically?

carolannesundahl.bsky.social•85 days ago

Artist: Garrett Price
https://condenaststore.com/featured/new-yorker-december-19-1942-garrett-price.html

jameslonghurst.bsky.social•85 days ago

Oh thank you.

carolannesundahl.bsky.social•85 days ago

You're welcome.

racy-tracy.bsky.social•85 days ago

That'd make a great puzzle

joie2024.bsky.social•85 days ago

Wow. Nice cover art.

nickvincent.bsky.social•85 days ago

I love this!

jiscavandijk.bsky.social•53 days ago

did it some years ago -
transporting an x-mas tree from the other side of my town on my bicycle .....
had quite interested people in cars waatching me
This year I erected this one again

beenthruthewars.bsky.social•85 days ago

Great cover! Fellow cyclist, I see! 27 years of commuting daily via bike for this kid! Starting 1989 thru 2000, as a bike messenger in Seattle, thru to 2018 (broken neck) ridden through Europe twice to meet up with buddies on 7/11 & then Motorola. Cycling instructor both road & in the mountains!

humandotai.bsky.social•85 days ago

amazing

rajeenaik.bsky.social•84 days ago

This is so lovely — I think they should come up with a Christmas card with this print - I would buy them.

rom12v21.bsky.social•85 days ago

1942. When the USA used to fight fascists.

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