"Kitchen Appliance." A three-burner Alcohol Utilities stove with griddle and toaster circa 1915. View full size. National Photo Company Collection.

Miami triple exposure. Early 60's Kodachrome. View full size.

Washington circa 1942. "Potomac Electric Power Co. Building. Air raid equipment and personnel." View full size. 8x10 safety negative by Theodor Horydczak.

We tend to think of the 1960s as the dawn of hair, which it was, but the 70s is when it went mainstream. Me and my brother on Sunday November 4, 1973. It was also the decade of alternative pants, you'll notice. Got my trusty camera bag slung on my shoulder. 35mm Kodachrome. View Big Hair.

March 1943. Washington, D.C. Meat rationing at the A&P. "Harold Rowe, Office of Price Administration food rationing chief, sells meat to girl reporter at shopping preview of new program." View full size. Print of a photo by Alfred Palmer, Office of War Information. [Thanks to John D. for this sharp scan. - Dave]

"Santa Baby 1963" now in the early 1970's in Rochester, Indiana. Kodachrome. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1860s. "Old Winder Building, 17th & F. St. NW." Wet plate glass negative. Brady-Handy Collection, Library of Congress. View full size.

Onalaska, Wisconsin, early 1950s, when full service was the rule. View full size.

Washington, D.C., 1925. "Texas Company, James Burke Station." View full size. National Photo Company Collection glass negative, Library of Congress.

First Holy Communion in 1971 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rochester, Indiana, from a 35mm slide. View full size.

February 1942. Akron, Ohio. Another esoteric industrial process involving scary-looking thingamabobs essential to the war effort. Executive summary: Performing a painstakingly choreographed ballet of complicated tasks at precisely timed intervals, Joe Warworker here is doing his part to Speed Victory! View full size. 4x5 nitrate negative by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information.

Christmas 1963 in Rochester, Indiana. From a slide. View full size.

Denishawn dance company founder Ruth St. Denis and husband Ted Shawn with a smattering of vestal virgins circa 1920. View full size. G.G. Bain Collection.

1955. My brother had just gotten his 35mm Lordox and was experimenting. Always ready to be the center of attention, I was glad to supply the subject matter. Another cool shirt. The TV is showing what most people would think is a Cadillac emblem, but I think it's Nash. View full size.

September 1940. St. Mary's County, Maryland. "John and Louise Dyson, aged Farm Security Administration borrowers. Mr. Dyson was born into slavery over eighty years ago. Mrs. Dyson is the mother of fifteen children." Medium format negative by John Vachon for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.