Firemen and volunteers cling to the back of the Larkspur Fire Department's 1946 American-LaFrance engine as it roars down Magnolia Ave. on the way to a call one late afternoon in 1963. These days we're used to seeing firemen suited up like they were about to take a moon walk; check out the casual attire here. Only one guy even has his fireman's hat on; two of the volunteers are sporting baseball caps. Everybody else is in shirtsleeves, even the full-time guy at the wheel (although it's his official blue uniform shirt). That's our house at the very top of the frame.

The fire department had been a governmental entity only 6 years. Up until 1957, it was privately operated by the volunteers, completely funded by dances held at The Rose Bowl, an outdoor dance floor under the redwoods that featured name bands and drew crowds from all over the Bay Area each Saturday during the summer months. My Kodachrome slide.

March 1920. Liberty National Bank at the intersection of I and 15th N.W. in Washington. View full size. National Photo Company Collection glass negative.

Washington, D.C., circa 1919. "Firestone 3,000-mile tires." Presumably after those grueling 3K miles. View full size. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. I like the shadows and detail here. Old-school photography combined with digital processing can produce some striking results.

More classic cars in their natural habitat. The AC building at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo campus, June 1957. Highlights: choice 1956 Mercury convertible; nice shine on the 1955 Ford Customline V8 two-tone. Somebody please identify the nicely-preserved black sedan in front of the Merc. Bonus: 1950s college professor in characteristic native garb. Ektachrome slide shot by my brother. View full size.

Not as many this time, but a couple of obsolete models, such as the first design of a Kaiser or Frazer, and an early Nash Rambler. Also a good representation of vintage Cal Poly color scheme. Same period, around 1956, this time on Anscochrome. View full size.

Another view of that 1921 car wreck at the intersection of 10th and R streets N.W. in Washington, D.C. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size.

1921. "Auto wreck." Vehicular mishap on a wintry day on the streets (and sidewalks) of Washington, D.C. View full size. National Photo Company.

Washington, D.C., 1920. "Donnie Moore in Duesenberg." View full size. National Photo Company Collection glass negative, Library of Congress.

Washington, D.C., 1921. "Whistle car." A truck filled with Whistle, the "beverage wrapped in bottles." National Photo Company glass negative. View full size.

"Washington, D.C., Industrial Exposition 1926. Hopkins Titanafram." Here's a fascinating glimpse back to a time when titanaframs were the size of sombreros. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., 1926. "Maytag Co. display at Industrial Exposition." 8x10 glass negative, National Photo Company Collection. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1917. The National Photo Company office at 815 H Street N.W. View full size. National Photo Company Collection glass negative.

Back in October 1956, my brother shot this Ektachrome slide to show the construction of the new Engineering Building at Cal Poly, and a student parking lot just happened to be in the foreground. Today it looks like a vintage car rally. For extra points: spot the Corvette. View full size.

Washington, D.C., 1925. "Ford Motor Co." A delivery truck for Hugh Reilly Paint and Glass. View full size. National Photo Company Collection glass negative.

Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Grove Lime & Coal Co." Our latest entry in the Shorpy parade of Stone Age delivery trucks. View full size. National Photo Co.