Nacelle Belles: 1942

I echo Joe on this one.I might add as a nurse I see fewer and fewer of these fine people.

As a man who grew up in the 1940s and 1950s, there is an almost overwhelming nostalgia that I feel when I look at these idealized photos of young women from that period. No doubt, many men my age might be longing for the days when women were much more unequal, usually stayed at home, and slaved over the stove to cook memorable meals for their families. But I don't think that is what attracts me to these photos of women who are fashionable, yet ordinary, not glamorous. These women remind me of my mother. Most people who grew up in this era have lost their parents by now, and the missing of one's mother never ends. My mother and father were both modest people, especially my mother, and I don't think modesty is as common now, nor is it as valued - not by a long shot.

The brooch that woman is wearing makes her look like an usherette at Disney's Enchanted Tiki room.

In Shorpyland, everyone is fit and attractive.

I WANT TO LIVE THERE!

is oh so cute. Sigh.

No matter how many times I look at these Kodachrome photographs I never get tired of them, I always find myself transported back in time to the 1940s, just seeing how colourful the young girls dress up even for just going to work in an aircraft factory is a stark contrast to the black and white movies of the day. I've always had a feeling for the US during this period even today I love watching "On the Town" (sad I know) with Gene Kelly just to see some of the colour footage of New York in the 40s.

These women are amazing - maintaining their glamour while working and supporting the war effort. Really fantastic. Thanks for this Shorpy - I dress 40's style and these pictures are a tremendous resource in color!

We've seen the lady on the right previously:
http://www.shorpy.com/node/2592

Maybe she started the fashion?
http://www.shorpy.com/node/2595

I know that the majority of these women were actual workers, but how many were just models that they brought in for these photo shoots?

[These photos are not "staged," they're posed. Using actual employees. - Dave]

...when you walk by me,..." I can hear Tony Bennett now with that appropriate song for this alluring photo. The one sitting down has a pencil tucked behind her right ear. Years ago anyone having to do paperwork often stored their always-needed pencil behind their ear, don't see that much anymore. Last but not least, my father who was born in 1909 enjoyed wearing red socks which made him a little different and quirky, even in the olden days. He was a fun guy (not the mushroom kind), very intelligent and sociable. This picture really captures a day on the homefront in WW2.

Look at the pitiful shoes they're wearing. My mother was a 23-year-old bookkeeper then, and she remembers the sacrifices that were gladly made for the war effort. She says that because so many materials were scarce, the only shoes she could buy were made from substandard material, and quickly fell apart. Also, silk and nylon were unavailable, so the only stockings she could get were rayon, which were horrible.

Once again the OWI photographers chose attractive women to include in their pictures. I guess they were trying to boost wartime morale and have a little fun themselves. Beats photographing the machinery.

Ooh, look at those lunchboxes!! The one I had growing up was NEVER this cool.

In addition to being an excellent photographer, Alfred Palmer sure knew how to pick his subjects. Hubba-hubba.