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- Details, Details
- What's that building to the left of the tower?
- Coal Barges
- Bromo-Seltzer
- Inner harbor
- The Basin
- What a headache!
- Giant stepladder?
- Baldwin 62303
- Baldwin VO-1000
- Cold
- No expense spared
- Tough Guys
- Lost in Toyland
- And without gloves
- If I were a blindfolded time traveler
- Smoke Consumer Also Cooks
- Oh that stove!
- Possibly still there?
- What?!?
- $100 Reward
- Freeze Frame
- Texas Flyer wanted
- Just a Year Too Soon
- WWII -- Replacing men with women at the railroad crossing.
- Yes, Icing
- You kids drive me nuts!
- NOT An Easy Job
- I wonder
- Just add window boxes
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Swim Meet: 1919
July 13, 1919. Washington, D.C. "Bathing Beauties -- ladies' swimming meet at Tidal Basin bathing beach." 4x6 inch glass negative, National Photo Company Collection. View full size.
Medal-Some Mermaid
Ethel Bilson, the "proficient water nymph", traveled from Chicago to be at this swimming meet, so it must have had some importance. Begin reading at the first full paragraph:
What a Difference a Century Makes
Today if a bathing suit contest is announced all of the contestants will usually be young ladies 18-25 with pretty faces, enhanced bosoms, slim waists and hips to match the bosoms and waist. Blondes will be at least 50%, perfect teeth as well as small noses at 100%. All the ladies who do not meet the criteria mentioned would sit on the sidelines and cheer on the ladies with the perfect bodies.
Back last century since there was no body slamming internet spots, no swiping right/left apps and myriad magazines with color photos touting perfect shapes and telling the readers how to attain them. The ladies of that time all seem to have self confidence in their looks and are not put off by any competitor. The picture shows many versions of the ladies and I'm for it since variety is truly the spice of life.
[The contest here was more athletic than aesthetic. - Dave]
Looks like a lot of drag to me
Those swimsuits are not conducive to winning a swim competition. Neither is long hair tucked under a cloth cap. And for the women wearing boots -- forget it.
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