The 1940's existed before rock and roll music, televisions in the home and the popularisation of jeans. The decade introduced the world to
Humphrey Bogart and
Ava Gardner, was dominated by the Second World War and saw women's fashion shift from dresses and skirts to trousers. One museum exhibition relives this decade.
The 1940's: Challenges and Change is an exhibition at the
Pine Rivers Heritage Museum (
Old Petrie Town, Dayboro Road, Whiteside) that investigates, well, the challenges and changes of the 1940's. Photographs and other memorabilia paint a picture of the standard of living during the decade, while the major changes to home life, fashion and entertainment are also explored.
World War Two was the largest challenge and change during the period and it made significant alterations to Australian society. A military theme is prevalent throughout the exhibit, much as it was throughout the era. The 1940's saw the invention of the Jeep, the development of the atomic bomb and gave ordinary boys the opportunity to be viewed as heroes by becoming military servicemen. Women's fashion changed dramatically in response to resource shortages and the influence of the war.
Find out more at the Pine Rivers Museum. The exhibition is open Wednesday to Friday from 10.00am until 3.00pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10.00am until 2.00pm. Admission is free.
