90 pics - XLII
On May 15th, 1940, Nylons were sold to the general public and nylon hosiery became a huge success as women lined up at stores across the United States to obtain the precious goods. Four Million Pairs of Nylons were sold in the first few days. It was called the New Miracle Fiber. Women everywhere were highly motivated to be included in the newest fashion trend. Within the first year DuPont sold over 64 million pairs of stockings.
With the outbreak of World War II nylon production for fashion was ceased and was used for the war effort. Women resorted to using makeup to decorate their legs, like drawing fake seams up the back of their legs with eyebrow pencils.
When World War II ended in 1945, women began to demand nylons again, however their demand greatly exceeded supply by two years. Newspapers ran stories with headlines such as "Women Risk Life and Limb in Bitter Battle over Nylons."
In New York, Macy's sold out of it's entire stock of 50,000 pairs of nylons in six hours, leaving a long line of unhappy, barelegged women. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh a mob of 40,000 women stood all night in a torrential rainstorm to buy nylons from a tiny hosiery shop.
|