Step back in time to the Roaring Twenties and explore the revolutionary changes in 1920s history and fashion. Dive into the iconic styles of the Jazz Age, from the liberating silhouettes of flapper dresses to the timeless elegance of 1920s wedding gowns. Discover the glamour of Old Hollywood, browse through vintage fashion advertisements, and get a glimpse into everyday life with our collection of historical photographs. We also feature a look at the automotive revolution of the era with classic car ads and more. Whether you’re a history buff, a fashion enthusiast, or simply captivated by the allure of the 1920s, you’ll find a wealth of information and inspiration here.
Ever wondered why some people love thunderstorms while others prefer sunny days? In 1924, character readers believed it was all about “Sublimity”—a brain center that governed our love of majesty, grandeur, and the sublime. Explore this fascinating vintage personality theory featuring silent film star Alice Joyce, complete with practical lifestyle predictions and the pseudoscience that captivated Jazz Age America.
What if your personality were a house—would it pass inspection? In December 1924, psychologist Honore Wright asked this revolutionary question in Character Reading Magazine, creating a metaphor that brilliantly merged America’s construction boom with emerging psychology. Walk through “Personality Town” and discover whether your foundation is crumbling, your lights are flickering, or your heating system needs repair. From calcium-rich diets for building “structural bones” to the wild world of 1920s advertisements promising everything from telepathic powers to “iriological diets” based on eye color, this deep dive reveals how the Roaring Twenties shaped modern self-improvement culture—and why these century-old insights remain surprisingly relevant today.
In 1924, aspiring writers didn’t need talent or practice—just the right bumps on their forehead. This vintage guide from Character Reading magazine claimed phrenology could unlock your hidden literary genius by measuring your skull’s “seven rooms.” Featuring analyses of Charlie Chaplin and bestselling novelist Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, this peculiar slice of Jazz Age pseudoscience reveals how desperately people sought shortcuts to creative success. Could your forehead bumps predict bestseller status? Discover what the phrenologists believed in this fascinating dive into 1920s self-improvement culture.
In December 1924, Character Reading magazine published a revolutionary article that challenged the beauty industry’s anti-wrinkle hysteria. Writer Edna Purdy Walsh argued that facial lines weren’t signs of aging—they were biographical maps revealing your thoughts, character, and life experiences. Discover how this Jazz Age perspective on “good wrinkles” versus “bad wrinkles” offered women permission to age with dignity, what different facial lines meant according to 1920s physiognomy, and why this nearly century-old message about embracing your face’s story resonates more powerfully than ever in our filter-obsessed modern world.
Before “closing techniques” and “sales funnels,” there was geometry. In 1924, aspiring salesmen were advised to check their facial lines, measure their skulls, and project the right “feeling tones.” This article from Character Reading magazine reveals how phrenology, racial pseudoscience, and surprisingly modern psychology collided in Jazz Age business culture—when your head shape could make or break your career.
In 1924, the most successful man in any boardroom wasn’t the quiet genius—he was the “Oxygen Man.” Discover how Roaring Twenties America used pseudoscientific personality theory to define the ultimate business “go-getter,” and why being called a “Babbitt” was the highest compliment of the Jazz Age.
Discover how Americans in 1924 used chemistry—literal test tubes and scientific theories—to find their soulmates. This fascinating dive into Jazz Age dating culture reveals how the revolution in courtship, from parlor visits to automobile romance, sparked a scientific approach to love that mirrors today’s algorithm-driven dating apps. Featuring the “Triangle of Love,” oil-and-water compatibility tests, and warnings about petting parties, this expanded look at vintage relationship advice proves that humans have always sought formulas for lasting love.
Step back into the winter of 1924-25 with a rare copy of Character Reading magazine—a fascinating time capsule of American self-improvement culture during the Jazz Age. This digitized issue reveals how Americans navigated an era of unprecedented change through graphology, personality analysis, and vocational training in the “new tech” industries of electricity and automobiles.
Edited by the remarkable husband-and-wife team of W. Thomas Walsh and Edna Purdy Walsh, this magazine offers a window into an era when handwriting analysis was considered a marketable social skill, when electricians and auto mechanics could earn life-changing wages, and when women were carving out influential roles in publishing and psychology. Discover the origins of American self-help culture and the promises of prosperity that captivated readers 100 years ago.
Here is evidence in pictures of the destruction wrought by the huge tornado that devastated parts of downtown St. Louis on September 29, 1927. These pictures of the tornado damage were taken that day. Edited 6/24/25 with more pics from a now defunct historical source.
Discover a collection of old photos preserved in beautiful vintage cardboard frames. One is stamped April 20, 1930, while others appear to date back to the early 1900s, possibly the 1920s or late 19-teens. Learn about cabinet cards, historical photo preservation, and the subtle clues that help date these timeless portraits.
This old family photo with the art deco border stamped August 20, 1927 on the back, is one of my favorite pictures so far. I wish I knew the story behind it, but I can imagine on the expressions of the people around this old Model T. The old woman...
The young in the black dress looks very uncomfortable, as if her corset has been laced too tight. The young man staring directly into the camera, perfectly exposed and focused, is my favorite of this set. Then, there's a child on a play horse, and...
I shot these photos of my friend Anita, modeling a 1920s wedding dress and veil that were borrowed from the Carondelet Historic Society. This is an ongoing project to visually, digitally, preserve their clothing and accessories collection....
I met Anita thru a guy I met on Twitter. It was pretty random, and I had no idea what she looked like until she showed up. I'd emailed her asking to come prepared to do her makeup in the styles of the 1920s and 1930s. So far, she's the only model...
This is the Thanksgiving December 1922 issue of Apropos Magazine, which was published by the Automobile Club of Missouri. What a fascinating peek into the advertising and luxury culture of the Roaring 20s in the Midwest! The front cover has come...
These hats belonged to the Carondelet Historical Society. The pink dress was from the 1980s and we got it for $2 at the thrift shop next door. The green cloak she’s wearing is from the 1920s.This mixed wardrobe was perfect inspiration for some very emotive, classic, portraits.
Rediscover the timeless elegance of 1920s bridal fashion through this historical wedding dress photoshoot at the Carondelet Historical Society. Featuring a delicate vintage gown and veil that perfectly represent the roaring twenties aesthetic, this shoot captures the defining simplicity, intricate details, and transformative styles of the Jazz Age. Explore the evolution of bridal fashion during this era of liberation and creativity, complemented with era-appropriate hair and makeup for an authentic glimpse into the past.
Step back in time with our scanned pages of 1920s fashion advertisements, highlighted by the exquisite collection from the 1924 St. Louis Fashion Pageant. These pages offer a glimpse into the past, showcasing the fashion trends and advertising styles that captivated a generation.
Here are some ads for long-out of business automobile makers: Wills Saint Claire, Willys Knight, Winton, and Stutz. Stutz produced luxury automobiles, and this ad is clearly aimed towards the Edwardian mother. The Winton ad is from 1915. The Willys Knight ads appear to be from the 1920s, the model 70 was produced in 1927. I am not sure when the Whippet was produced. There are several pages of ads for Willys Knight sedans and autos. The Wills Sainte Claire ad features its Canadian Goose logo and this page contains 2 scanned ads.
Here’s various ads for Studebaker cars from the 1920s, the Pierce-Arrow French Brougham, Rauch & Lang worm drive, and Reo 5th and 6th cars and sedans (from 1913).
I can see why the Studebaker is such a classic. The luxurious illustrated advertisement style is distinct. Well bred dogs to go with a well bred car. Stylish women. These early 1920s Studebaker ads are all about luxury.
Here are 9 Packard car advertisements from the 1920s, including one for “Your 1925 Packard”. Several of these ads contain the slogan, “Ask the Man Who Owns One”.