Igor Bogdanoff

Igor Youriévitch Bogdanoff and Grégoire "Grichka" Youriévitch Bogdanoff, alternatively spelled Bogdanov, were French television presenters, producers, and essayists who presented a variety of programmes in science fiction, popular science, and cosmology. The brothers – identical twins – were involved in a number of controversies, the most notable being the Bogdanov affair. It brought to light how they received Ph.D.

Structured undergarments defined the silhouette

In the 1950s, women's undergarments like corsets, girdles, and structured petticoats were considered essential to achieve the cinched waist and specific silhouette dictated by fashion designers.

Restricted clothing for men and boys

To save fabric during the occupation, official regulations prohibited trouser cuffs and restricted men to having only one pocket per pair of trousers. Boys were also required to wear short trousers until the age of 15.

Clandestine dances during the war

From 1940 to 1945, all collective dancing was officially prohibited by the Vichy regime, forcing youth to hold clandestine balls in barns, fields, and even stables. Despite the ban, these gatherings remained popular for dancing the waltz, rumba, tango, and march.

Instruments for dancing in France

People danced to the accordion, bagpipes, and the vielle, a traditional string instrument played by turning a wheel. Between the wars, the accordion became the dominant instrument for popular dances across France.

Record-breaking train travel in 1955

By 1955, the Sud-Express train achieved a world-record speed for its route, covering the 816 km between Paris and Hendaye in 7 hours and 23 minutes.

Continuous London-Paris rail ferry service

Launched in 1936, the Night Ferry allowed passengers to travel between London and Paris by train without changing, as the rail cars were loaded onto a ferry boat to cross the English Channel.

School children's labor and chores

School children performed manual labor for the war effort, such as going to potato fields every Thursday to remove Colorado beetles from the plants. Students also helped clean the local school swimming pool by scrubbing the walls and floor barefoot with brushes.

Traditional food preservation methods

To keep food fresh in homes without modern appliances, families used "garde-manger," which were ventilated cupboards or fine-mesh cages suspended in cool rooms, cellars, or kitchens. Meat was sometimes preserved by covering it in oil or searing it in a pan.

Average annual food consumption in 1951

In 1951, a typical French family of four consumed over three tons of food annually, costing between 320,000 and 360,000 francs.

Rise of processed convenience foods

Between 1952 and 1962, the consumption of potato mash and canned soup exploded, with the latter increasing by 182 percent.

A metalworker's budget in 1948

In 1948, a Parisian metalworker supporting a wife and three children earned about 16,400 francs per fortnight, often becoming an involuntary vegetarian because meat was so expensive.

High cost of food for workers

Food consumed 82 percent of a typical worker's budget in 1948, with meat costing 82 cents a pound, forcing many to eat meat only twice a week.

A worker's income in 1948

In 1948, a skilled metalworker assembling motorcycles in a Paris suburb earned 8,200 francs per month to support his family of five.

Working hours in the late 1940s

An industrial worker in 1948 typically worked a 48-hour, five-day week, often starting at 7:00 A.M. to clock in after a bicycle commute.