Infante Henrique, Duke of Coimbra

Henrique João Nuno Miguel Gabriel Rafael de Bragança foi um pretendente ao título de Infante de Portugal, filho mais novo de Duarte Nuno de Bragança, chefe da família real portuguesa, via o ramo Miguelista. Também foi pretendente ao título de Duque de Coimbra.

Women wearing trousers in the 1940s

In the 1940s, a woman in Wädenswil was nicknamed the Manewiib for being the only person seen in public wearing gray trousers instead of a skirt.

Stocking support methods

During the 1950s, children often used elastic garters to hold up their knitted wool stockings, as tights only became common in the late 1950s.

Pressure to modernize folk bands

During the 1930s and 1940s, Ländler bands were frequently pressured by event organizers to incorporate modern instruments like saxophones and drums to satisfy dancers.

Record-breaking song sales in 1939

In 1939, a specific yodel-fox song called Landidörfli was released and sold a remarkable 55,000 copies.

Carriages were still used for travel in 1950

In 1950, reaching remote destinations like Our Chalet in Adelboden often required combining train travel with a local bus, followed by a horse-drawn carriage for the final leg.

Cars became mass transport in mid-century Switzerland

In the 1950s and 1960s, the automobile became a mass transport mode, significantly expanding the travel radius of ordinary people compared to the mid-century period when most needs were met locally.

Electrification made appliances commonplace

By the 1950s, electrification let Swiss households buy and use more electric appliances, including washing machines and refrigerators, directly in their apartments and houses.

Water often came from wells

In the early 1950s, most people obtained drinking, washing, and cooking water from wells rather than having household connections, which slowed social development.

War created the Ragusa chocolate bar

After the war, the popular Ragusa chocolate bar was created by stretching limited cocoa supplies with nuts imported from Italy.

Food rationing required coupons and cash

During World War II, families required both money and ration coupons to purchase staple foods like bread, and some had to visit different bakeries to find one that would accept their available coupons.

Gasoline versus bread prices in 1950

In 1950, one liter of gasoline in Switzerland cost 62 rappen, which was more expensive than a kilogram of brown bread. A skilled worker could earn no more than the equivalent of 4.5 liters of gasoline per hour.

Bread and meat prices in 1946

In March 1946, a rationed kilogram of bread cost 48 centimes, while a kilogram of meat ranged from 5 to 8.25 Swiss francs.

Long working hours in the 1950s

In 1950, the average working year was 2,400 hours, compared to 1,600 hours today, with the typical work week lasting nearly 50 hours.

Demanding conditions for domestic workers

In 1954, domestic service contracts could legally require a 15-hour workday and a six-day workweek, with only eight hours of rest allowed per week.