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[SSgtBaloo]

Once upon a time, I wrote a supplement for a WW II era superhero campaign for a now nearly defunct game (you can find the complete document here).

I am in the process of revising it, though to tell the truth, it may be quite a while before I get around to updating the on-line version. I do have a few specific questions, however.

The only radio communication in common civilian use was shortwave (Ham) radio. Thousands of youngsters built their own shortwave sets and got licensed to operate them. Ham radio had the same sort of exotic appeal that “surfing the net” does today.

Okay, it was written quite a while back. “Surfing the net” isn’t very uncommon nowadays. Ham radio was, however, cutting-edge technology for the day, and only the creme de la geeks participated in this hobby to any extent. What modern-day activity can I compare this to?

The BBC broadcast television programming on an irregular basis before the war. In America, television sets were being sold in large metropolitan areas like Chicago and New York City, but this was in advance of any regular broadcasts . When the war began, all TV broadcasts were halted for the duration since television components were vital wartime materials (there were fewer than 20,000 sets in any case). Plans for regular TV broadcasts in the US were postponed for the duration.

When I wrote the above, I believed it to be true, but I can not now find any verification for the above claims. Can anyone recommend a site where I can find out the facts?

Gas mileage hovered around 15 MPG, except for tiny cars like the American Bantam (The American-manufactured version of the Austin Seven, it averaged 30 mpg, and was smaller than a Geo Metro.)

The Geo Metro reference is at least 10 years out of date. What tiny car (available in the U.S.) is about the same size as one o’ dem?

The train was the preferred mode of travel during the Forties. Prices were very competitive with the only other alternative, the airplane. Comfort levels were high, even in “coach” class (at least when compared to air travel).
A coast-to-coast trip could take up to 6 or 7 days. An express train took about 3 days to cross the continent and was equipped with cars manufactured by the Pullman company. Pullman car seats converted into bunk beds for overnight (sleeper) service. A few cars on each long distance train had private compartments roughly equivalent to a small hotel room. These were often used by the well-heeled traveller.

Once again, I am uncertain of my sources. How long did it take to cross the country by train? Judging by my most recent experience with Amtrack, anything less than an eternity is an improvement.

Anyone interested in assuring accuracy in the revised document please respond and cite your source(s)! Most of the original document was dredged up from memory and my only reference book was “World War II Superfacts”, a book which has since disintegrated to dust and no longer resides in my library. Anyone who wants to suggest additional references please share them (on-line resources are preferred – it’s 17 miles to the nearest library!)

Thanks an indeterminately large number (in advance, of course)!

–SSgtBaloo

[mhendo]

@SSgtBaloo

Okay, it was written quite a while back. “Surfing the net” isn’t very uncommon nowadays. Ham radio was, however, cutting-edge technology for the day, and only the creme de la geeks participated in this hobby to any extent. What modern-day activity can I compare this to?

What about people who build their own computers from parts they buy online, or in the store? I believe that this is not a terribly difficult thing to do, but it is still relatively uncommon, and requires a level of interest and commitment that most regular computers users probably don’t have.

@SSgtBaloo

When I wrote the above, I believed it to be true, but I can not now find any verification for the above claims. Can anyone recommend a site where I can find out the facts?

Try this Duke University Library website. The Duke library has a whole bunch of really cool online stuff related to media history, including thousands of old print advertisements.

Also, try these pages: 1 2

And this.

Having done a fair bit of reading in media history, i can also tell you that the scholarly books in the field support your point about television. I know you’re not near a library, but some good books include:

Smith, Anthony, ed., Television: An International History, Second Ed. (Oxford: OUP, 1998).

Spigel, Lynn, Make Room for TV: Television and the Family Ideal in Postwar America (Chicago, 1992).

Tichi, Cecelia, Electronic Hearth: Creating an American Television Culture (New York, 1991).

By the way, in Australia, where i grew up, television didn’t enter people’s homes until 1956, when the main moitivation was the fact that Melbourne was going to host the Olympic games.

@SSgtBaloo

The Geo Metro reference is at least 10 years out of date. What tiny car (available in the U.S.) is about the same size as one o’ dem?

I guess a Toyota Prius might fit the bill.

@SSgtBaloo

Once again, I am uncertain of my sources. How long did it take to cross the country by train? Judging by my most recent experience with Amtrack, anything less than an eternity is an improvement.

I think you’re pretty much right about the train thing.