1940's Lifestyles and Social Trends | Betty Grable Bathing Suit Pinup

Photograph

Date: c. 1942

Source: "Betty Grable Bathing Suit Pinup, ca. 1942." Corbis. Image no. BE001136. Available online at http://pro.corbis.com (accessed February 17, 2003).

Introduction

Pinup pictures were a phenomenon of World War II (1939–1945). Meant to encourage and motivate U.S. troops, pinups of beautiful, often scantily clad women appeared in magazines and on posters, calendars, and postcards. Soon they became the mascots for servicemen. Actress and model Betty Grable was perhaps the most popular of the pinup girls.

Entertainers and musicians traveled to perform for U.S. troops stationed abroad during World War II, but few morale boosters were as successful as the pinup girl. An industry built up around producing images of women: some famous actresses and models, some unknown hopefuls, and even some fictional women. These pictures...