AA-2026-D2C295
On the image
A woman carefully shields her eyes, a gesture common in an era where recreational boating offered ample exposure to the sun without the benefit of modern dermatological interventions. Her simple dark swimsuit and the bobby pins holding back her short hair were the standard uniform for taking a small craft out onto the water, a new kind of freedom for many in the 1950s.
Nearby, the simple controls of an outboard motor suggest a day spent in the pursuit of modest aquatic adventure, far from the conveniences of shore. These personal watercraft made accessible the kind of spontaneous trips that now feel almost archaic.
The overall scene captures the quiet, sometimes weary, reality of leisure activities when the novelty of owning a motorboat was still more significant than the inevitable sunburn or slight seasickness.
The historian's note
The 1950s saw a boom in consumer goods and leisure activities in post-war America, including private ownership of motorboats. As incomes rose and workweeks shortened for many, families increasingly sought recreational opportunities, often centred around lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.
Small, affordable motorboats, often powered by outboard motors, became popular for activities like fishing, water skiing, and casual cruising. This era also predates widespread awareness of the long-term health risks associated with prolonged sun exposure, with tanning often seen as a sign of health and prosperity.
The subject's simple, functional swimwear reflects the prevailing modesty and practicality of mid-20th century beach and waterside fashion.
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Woman in 1950s Motorboat, Shielding Eyes. 1950–1959. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-D2C295. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/woman-in-1950s-motorboat-shielding-eyes.
@misc{aaAA2026D2C295,
title = {Woman in 1950s Motorboat, Shielding Eyes},
year = {1950–1959},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-D2C295},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/woman-in-1950s-motorboat-shielding-eyes}
}TY - ART TI - Woman in 1950s Motorboat, Shielding Eyes PY - 1950–1959 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-D2C295 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/woman-in-1950s-motorboat-shielding-eyes ER -
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