What is Digg?73 Comments
- jboitnott, on 11/12/2008, -3/+43New York in the 1930's may have actually been more impressive for its time than the city is now. Back then, it was like a kind of Dubai, with its monolithic, otherworldly cityscapes.
- whatimbipolar, on 11/13/2008, -2/+27That first picture looked like it was from an old SimCity game.
- youngdb, on 11/13/2008, -0/+21New York was one of the most impressive cities in the world probably. I forgot the 30s had airplanes. I mean in that time there were still no Interstates, my father remembers in his town not having phones or electricity even in the 40s.
Cities were literally oasis of technology compared to most of the rest of the country. It is no wonder that the people in cities today are a bit more cultured than people in rural areas, they have been experiencing diversity for awhile. - antler, on 11/13/2008, -0/+10For those interested, historical urban photos like these can be combined Photosynth-style to reconstruct 3D models of cities as they change over time. The 4D Cities project at Georgia Tech has done this for Atlanta back to 1864, but hopefully we'll have New York soon as well. Java applet here:
http://4d-cities.cc.gatech.edu/atlanta/ - Rev0lver, on 11/13/2008, -0/+9I love this ***** city.
- marstune89, on 11/13/2008, -0/+6The photo of the beach is ridiculously crowded and everyone looks like they're wearing the same swimsuit
- stevenr21, on 11/13/2008, -2/+8history is cool
- Mujokan, on 11/13/2008, -1/+6Art Deco, Modernism, Functionalism, were pretty cool. They had so much faith in the future, and so much energy. But in some ways Fascism was also part of the same modern revolution.
One funny aspect of life back then was how many rules there were for fashion, especially for men. You had to have the right hat, the right cigarette case, the right cuff-links; and all the old design styles were suddenly outdated. No more flowers, just geometric abstract patterns. If the Prince of Wales changed the cut of his suit coat, you had to go buy a new one.
Modernism comes in waves, it seems. There was modernism in the Fifties, and again in the Eighties to a lesser extent. I wonder if the Obama presidency could revive the hopeful modernist attitude, but maybe we are too cynical for that now. If some amazing new field of technology was also invented that changed everyone's lives for the better, that might do it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Deco http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futurism_(art) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modernism - crowbarred, on 11/13/2008, -0/+5black and white still speaks a millions colurs
- aznpwnzor, on 11/13/2008, -2/+6finally the 30s contribute something
- ZombieSociety, on 11/13/2008, -0/+4So, what, nobody lives past 70? Damn, don't tell any of my grandparents.
- calebian, on 11/13/2008, -0/+3Fascinating. I felt like I was studying up on how to survive a great depression.
My favorite shots were of the Macy's Parade. Those hot air balloon characters looked awesome. - TheMandibleClaw, on 11/13/2008, -0/+3In March 1965, the Port Authority began acquiring property at the World Trade Center site.[32] Demolition work began on March 21, 1966 to clear thirteen square blocks of low rise buildings in Radio Row for construction of the World Trade Center.[33] Groundbreaking for the construction of the World Trade Center took place on August 5, 1966.[34]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Center - Mujokan, on 11/13/2008, -1/+4That great period from industrialization to the Cold War when everyone loved America, and Americans loved the rest of the world! America taught everyone how to run a modern democracy right. Hope it wasn't the peak of an arc.
- Mujokan, on 11/13/2008, -0/+3Not just airplanes. They used to moor airships to the top of the Empire State Building. However, it was too dangerous to walk from the blimp into the building due to the high winds, so they stopped doing it after a while. I would have loved to see that, or better yet, arrive there that way.
- whatimbipolar, on 11/13/2008, -0/+3Notice the time on that post and on mine
- jaypooner, on 11/13/2008, -0/+2if only the LA skyline looked like this...
- casbar, on 11/13/2008, -0/+2That was awesome! Thanks!
- johanneshint, on 11/13/2008, -0/+2Am I the only one who feels like playing Mafia?
- inactive, on 11/13/2008, -0/+2Whenever I see those iron worker pic's I shudder.
- Mpwns, on 11/13/2008, -0/+2i noticed people went outside back then.
- QueensGangsta, on 11/13/2008, -0/+2life was great back in the day.
- TheMandibleClaw, on 11/13/2008, -0/+2They weren't built yet ....
- Rev0lver, on 11/13/2008, -0/+2Easily one of the greatest, most underrated games ever. The story and atmosphere puts every GTA to shame.
- Dhalamar, on 11/13/2008, -1/+3Everything about New York in the 30's I learned from King Kong (the original, not the bastardized 1970's version or the one that Jack Black ruined), so these are welcome photos. :)
- emkaysmith, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1Architecturally, the 1930s were certainly a lot more interesting than the "glass box" era of the '60s & '70s. Now a lot of those boring office buildings are getting old and trashy as well. Time to start tearing down and replacing. Maybe the next period will be "Nouveau Deco."
- xtraa, on 11/14/2008, -0/+1Yep,
there also used to be a station for immigrants at the top of the empire state (it has never been used). I wonder if it is still there. Would be a dream for sites like forbidden-places.net. - alealea, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1Old Rome and New York... No cities in the world history like these 2... Adding ancient Rome link... http://earth.google.com/rome/
- rsbryswrrl, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1I *heart* everything art deco. New York City in the 30's is my absolute favorite city/time period. It must have been amazing to live there during that time, with all the beauty and futurism...
- Maxwell1234, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1Actually I think Peter Jackson ruined it. But point taken.
- ucccft, on 11/13/2008, -1/+2WOW Outstanding! 1930 America, 200 years ahead of any other country.
- Mujokan, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1That was a great game. Hard to fault in any respect from atmosphere to design to controls. I lucked out and got past the race in about 6 tries, and didn't quite know what the fuss was about.
- h1lle, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1Great photos.
If they ever where to make a time machine. This is definitively the time and place I would have gone to. - stevenr21, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1i've got to agree with Rev0lver. One of the best games I've played... it took me forever to get past the race..
- betheturtle, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1Back in the days of BW monitors.
- myhandleondigg, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1This game upset me within moments when I realized the guy was being a snitch.
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http://hyipnews.freehostia.com/hyip - ucccft, on 11/19/2008, -0/+1Yea thanks to "W" but 2008 America still 200 years ahead of any country in Europe.
Don't believe me, go on, go to Europe and live there, I bet you won't last a week, but
they are ahead in one thing, Health Care, I give them that, but that's it. - smashingmonkey, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1I feel sorry for you.
- qbthemc, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1Reminds me of Simcity. :(
- TheSeeker11, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1Back before teh interwebs.
- NoozeHound, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1Truly amazing is so overused in these parts.
I have never been to New York but these images are so iconic that I see nothing new in them.
NY must be the most photographed city in the world. Retro images of NY and the US in general are so much a part of pop culture that I imagine I just have that level of familiarity with them, therefore not seeing truly amazing, astounding or even unusual. - smashingmonkey, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1I heart NY
- JMellissa, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1Excellent series! The old town sure has changed over the years hasn't it?
- kaosethema, on 11/14/2008, -0/+1...in love with a city for what it was, what it is and what it will always be...
- Maxwell1234, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1I really want to see a "than and now" of each shot. That would be crazy.
- wyrdness, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1They had a lot of style back then - beautiful buildings, beautiful cars and beautiful planes.
I've never been to New York, or even the USA, but these photos are just superb. - crussell96, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1yeah the one thing I love about NYC are the empty streets.
- Patrickdnj, on 11/13/2008, -0/+1/sarcasm?
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