Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Drive Around New York City In 1928

But don't get in the taxicab if Harold Lloyd is driving...This clip is an instant time machine, a trip through the city as it was 80 years ago. The stress (here caused by watching Harold et al careen down the street), and the volume of traffic will be familiar to the modern viewer. I was surprised at just how many cars and other vehicles were on the road in 1928, though.



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I also want to thank UserFriendly (and Giulia D.) for choosing VDM's sister site, Kitchen Retro, as the Link of the Day. UserFriendly is cool and funny, and I recommend a visit!

15 comments:

Da Old Man said...

Did you recognize his world famous passenger (at about the 2 minute mark?)

tahtimbo said...

Yeah, it was Babe Ruth! That was a fantastic video! Thank you for finding it and sharing it with us:)

Lidian said...

Da Old Man and tahtimbo - I didn't know, thank you for pointing him out! That is pretty cool, actually...

papercages said...

That was great! I knew his face was familiar, but couldn't put a name with it.

Ms. O. D. said...

video was really fascinating, looks like the streets were just as busy and hectic as it is today... the cab drivers still drive the same way. I didnt know nyc had a trolley too.

PaulsHealthblog.com said...

Man, even back then, that city was packed!

And to see Babe Ruth!

Jaya said...

Hah! That was fun to watch. Thanks.

ettarose said...

Great video, and to see Babe Ruth! That made it all so much more exciting!

Lidian said...

papercages - At least you knew he was somebody famous...I was clueless!

Ms. O.D. - Yes, I was surprised at the number of cars and other vehicles zooming around...and no crosswalks!

Paul - In retrospect I love that Babe Ruth was taking the taxi to Yankee Stadium. This should have clued me in...

Jaya - It was fun to find it, too. I'm so grateful to the people who post these on YouTube.

ettarose - It is a fun clip, I love the ones that make you fee like you've gone back in time (it would be so cool in IMAX).

Celestial Charms said...

Great video...so glad you posted it. This really brings back memories of driving in Manhattan. Always an adventure!
Maureen

Lidian said...

Maureen - That's the truth! I failed my first driving test there, after a series of unfortunate lessons.

Frank Jump said...

I so loved this Lidian. I never realized how hot Babe Ruth was. I guess that means I'm getting old since he always seemed like an old guy to me.

Lidian said...

Frank - I never even realized that it was Babe Ruth! :)

Mrs Mecomber said...

That was spectacular!!!! And that was Babe Ruth! LOL!! Great post, the kids and I loved it. :)

Lidian said...

Mrs. Mecomber - Thank you! It is amazing, what they have over at YouTube.