Recent Stories with tag history

We're only one episode into Season 4 of Mad Men, and already I can't wait to see where things are headed. Like, how will the Surgeon General's 1964 report on the dangers of smoking (and the subsequent required warning on cigarette packs) affect the fledgling ad firm's biggest client, Lucky Strikes? Will we ever see our old pals Kinsey and Cosgrove again? And wherefore art thou, Joan's terrible husband and Roger's terrible wife?

And what better way to kick off the new season than with Natasha Vargas-Cooper's new book?  Born of her recurring series on The Awl, Mad Men Unbuttoned: A Romp Through 1960s America is a look at the show via mini-essays that make pointed, witty observations on the cultural context of the early '60s. So you can quickly read all about what Betty's suburban decor says about her and her family, how the writers of the time--John Cheever, Helen Gurley Brown, Mary McCarthy, Frank O'Hara--inform the series, and why the character of Don Draper is the careful combination of traits found in Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, and John Wayne.  That's a near-deadly admixture of sex appeal.

To celebrate the return of Mad Men, The SunBreak has three copies of Mad Men Unbuttoned to give away. Enter below for your chance to win a copy. We'll be drawing three winners' names Friday at noon....

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There was a great sigh of relief Sunday night all across the land to accompany the Season 4 premiere of Mad Men. It was so good to see all our old friends again, especially how they've all changed in the past year of television time: Peggy grew out her bangs! Don likes it rough! Betty's unhappily married! JFK is still dead.

And what better way to kick off the new season than with Natasha Vargas-Cooper's new book?  Born of her recurring series on The Awl, Mad Men Unbuttoned: A Romp Through 1960s America is a look at the show via mini-essays that make pointed, witty observations on the cultural context of the early '60s. So you can quickly read all about the great real-life ad men of the time, the Rothko painting in Bert Cooper's office, what Peggy likely did and didn't learn in secretary school, and just how easy it was to procure an illegal abortion. Fun facts for the whole family!

To celebrate the return of Mad Men, The SunBreak has three copies of Mad Men Unbuttoned to give away. Enter below for your chance to win a copy. We'll be drawing three winners' names Friday at noon....

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With the weather ruling out many outdoor activities recently, I spent a few days catching up with the region’s rich collection of aviation museums. Though the Seattle area is known as a center of aviation, and can rightly claim to be a central force in aviation history, many local residents may not be aware of how extensive and interesting the various local museums celebrating this history are.

There are three major aviation museums between Seattle and Everett and all three are well worth a visit. 

The Museum of Flight has more than 150 antique and historic planes on exhibit (and one space shuttle, lightly used, coming soon?). Located on the flight line of Boeing Field, the museum is a magnificent attraction. The collection features wonderful examples from the early days of flight, World War I and II, and all the way up to the Boeing 747, Concorde, and the SR 71 Blackbird. There is also a great selection of artifacts from the space age, including a nice selection of Russian space artifacts.

There’s an undeniable romanticism in viewing the old biplanes and fighter planes from two world wars. Up close, many of the planes seem larger than one imagines, while with others you can’t help thinking they were lucky to get off the ground. 

Outside, in spacious viewing area, you can walk through the first Air Force One, first flown by JFK (and the scene of the famous photo of Lyndon Johnson taking the oath of office after Kennedy’s death). Considering the size and relative luxury of modern airliners, the Boeing 707 seams quaint, but still holds remnants of the swinging early days of the Jet Age. ...

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