News of the Day

Last night, an episode of the evening news evoked a volley of expletives from Mr. Ginley. Yet again. 

public domain image

Yes, it's good to be informed, but it can also be overwhelming to experience wave after wave of death, disease and mayhem and know there's not one stinking thing you can do about it.

Taking a different road, I decided perhaps I would get my news from the local rag. Here are some of the headlines I found:

Ohio Job Situation is Said to Improve
Complete Revision of U.S. Tax Bill

Premiers to Meet on Irish Question

Tells History of Free Love Colony

Makers of Swiss Cheese to Meet

November's First Visible Snow Works No Wonderland Magic

Cleveland-Akron Road is Dedicated

Ignatians Lose to Bellevue

Here Are Six Comedies Well Worth Looking For

More Advice for the Cold Weather Drivers Here

Some Who NEVER Should Marry

Woman All-Around Champion Wins Sock-Darners' Medal

Of course, there were the usual ads for Christmas shopping, advice on cooking Thanksgiving dinner and comic pages.

All-in-all, pretty typical news stuff. 

The date of the paper I was reading – Sunday, November 21, 1921. 

Yes, there were signs that times have changed, particularly in attitudes towards women. In the article about the woman who darned socks, the gist of it was she was rabid about juggling her achievements with caring for her family. Maybe we've moved the needle* a little bit. On the other hand, aren't mothers still feeling guilty if they don't put their families first?

What did amuse me is there were several "women's" pages of fashion and such, which appeared in the paper BEFORE the Sports section. Take that, Babe Ruth.

So, what was the biggest difference between the PD 100 years ago and today's version? The older paper was a whopping 86 pages. 

I imagine how many writers it would take to put together an 86-page newspaper. All tip-tapped on manual typewriters, the copy set by Linotype. And it makes me sad to wonder how much real news is not being covered.

You might surmise that reading the newspaper would be a better choice for Mr. Ginley's blood pressure.

Alas, no. He yells at the fish wrap, too.

*Pun intended.

Contrary to popular belief,
Christmas advertising also started
before Thanksgiving back in the day.