At the foot of the flatiron building 1903

[Rick Blaine]

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This street level view is of the Broadway side of the Flatiron, or Fuller Building, near the narrow north corner. Filmed on a very windy day, pedestrians of various descriptions are seen passing by the camera, clutching hats and skirts against the wind. According to some New York City historians, this corner was known as the windiest corner of the city, and in the era of the long skirt, standing on it was considered a good vantage point for a glimpse of a lady's ankle. Policemen would chase away such loungers from the 23rd Street corner, giving rise to the expression "twenty-three skidoo."

Lovely hats on display, eh? Originally from the library of Congress's "American Memory" collection. A vast & invaluable collection of Americana!

note: I hope such imbedded video is allowed, barkeeps, I looked in the FAQ for anything, but not exhaustively...

 

[Dinerman]

I liked the light tan one with the Montana peak that blew away.

 

[indycop]

Cool! I like the coppers hats and coats!!

 

[fatwoul]

I liked the light tan one with the Montana peak that blew away.

Haha the guy's expression when that happened was wonderful. And the way he threw his arms up. He didn't even look annoyed so much as a little amused. Looks like a good-humoured sort.

 

[besdor]

It is amazing how many people wore hats back then. I watched that clip three time and I dont think there was a man walking by with his head uncovered.
I wish I had a store back then.



Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Barb]

The women all had lids as well

which all looked like exotic birds' nests to me. I know that was the style, but I think I'd feel weird wearing one of those. I'm glad that there hasn't been a revival of ladies's styles <G>.

It is amazing how many people wore hats back then. I watched that clip three time and I dont think there was a man walking by with his head uncovered.
I wish I had a store back then.



Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Mid-fogey]

Thanks for posting...

...the clip.

I remember a scene from the move The Age of Innocence, where there is a long view of a street scene on a windy day and hundreds of men are walking 90% with bowlers and every man holding down his hat.

You'd think a reasonably fitted bowler wouldn't blow off easily.

 

[duggap]

Fun watching, thanks for posting that Rick. Funny how you see everyone holding onto their hats but you don't see one individual taking off their hat and holding it.[huh]

 

[funneman]

I liked the light tan one with the Montana peak that blew away.

He must have gotten it back, I think that's him and his hat standing by the corner of the store window, looking back at the camera. It's about 1:40 then about 1:30 that looks like him turning and walking away.

 

[Rooster]

I liked the light tan one with the Montana peak that blew away.

Me too! I think if it was that blasted windy and I had far to go I'd just take my hat off and hold it rather than walk around in the permanent salute style. Your arm had to get tired of holding your hat on your head if you were going far.

 

[Feraud]

This must be why they invented the wind trolley.

 

[Tomasso]

Great clip.

Reminds me of Chicago.

 

[Chanfan]

Me too! I think if it was that blasted windy and I had far to go I'd just take my hat off and hold it rather than walk around in the permanent salute style. Your arm had to get tired of holding your hat on your head if you were going far.

Interestingly, when walking about downtown (Seattle) with my hat on some recent very windy days, I did the same thing - ran around with my hand on the brim. Didn't really think about it much at the time. I think partially, it's that if it's that windy, if you run around without your hat on, your hair will be impossibly mussed.

 

[Delthayre]

Styles that span the Atlantic

It's often quite windy here in Albany, so it's not uncommon for my to have a hand perpetually either gently grasping my hat or poised to do so. I find it simpler and more convenient than holding it in my hands.

I was mildly surprised by the abundance of bowler hats in that video. I suppose that I shouldn't be, but I never associate strongly with Americans, even during that era.

 

[bolthead]

This must be why they invented the wind trolley.

I wonder how many of them actualy had and wore them back then?

Great post....:eusa_clap