News

Rediscovering the Bliss of Vintage Picnics in the Early to Mid-20th Century

As the world advances and technology changes the way we spend our leisure time, it’s easy to forget the simple pleasures of the past. One such pleasure is picnicking, a timeless activity that has been enjoyed for generations.

In the early and mid-20th century, picnics were a popular way for families and friends to come together, share food, and create memories in the great outdoors.

Fortunately, we have a glimpse of what those moments were like through the vintage photographs that were captured.

The word “picnic” is believed to have originated from the French word “pique-nique”, which referred to a communal meal where each guest brought a dish to share.

However, the history of picnics as a leisure activity dates back much further. The ancient Greeks and Romans, for example, enjoyed outdoor feasts that celebrated the beauty of nature and the pleasures of good food and drink.

The modern concept of picnics, however, is said to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. The aristocracy would often gather for elaborate outdoor feasts in the countryside, which they called “banquets” or “fetes champetres“.

These gatherings were extravagant affairs that featured entertainment, music, and games, and were often held to celebrate special occasions such as weddings and christenings.

Picnics as a popular leisure activity began to emerge in the 18th and 19th centuries, as the rise of the middle class led to more leisure time and a desire for outdoor activities.

The Industrial Revolution also played a role, as the creation of public parks and gardens made it easier for people to gather and socialize outdoors.

During this time, picnics were often elaborate affairs, with elaborate spreads of food and drink served on ornate picnic sets.

The wealthy would even employ servants to set up and serve their picnics, while the middle class would bring their own supplies and lay out their own picnics.

Picnicking continued to evolve throughout the 20th century, as changes in technology and transportation made it easier for people to gather in large groups.

The advent of automobiles made it possible to travel further afield, while the rise of supermarkets and refrigeration made it easier to transport and store food.

Picnics have become an important cultural tradition in many societies, and are often associated with holidays, festivals, and special occasions.

For example, in the United States, picnics are a popular way to celebrate Independence Day, while in Australia, picnics are a common way to celebrate Christmas Day.

In Japan, picnics are known as “hanami”, and are held during the spring to celebrate the blooming of cherry blossoms.

Contemporary picnics for many people involve simple food. In The Oxford Companion to Food, Alan Davidson offers hard-boiled eggs, sandwiches, and pieces of cold chicken as good examples.

In America, food writer Walter Levy suggests that ‘a picnic menu might include cold fried chicken, devilled eggs, sandwiches, cakes and sweets, cold sodas, and hot coffee’.

A company of three enjoying a picnic in the countryside. The ladies are wearing white summer dresses, the chap is dressed in a single-breasted suit, May 1931. (Photo by Simca Aronde via Flickr)

Four fashionable ladies enjoying a picnic in the countryside next to a Peugeot 201, registered in the French département of Nord, July 10, 1932. (Photo by Simca Aronde via Flickr)

A company of seven (including the photographer) enjoying a picnic in the countryside. One of the cars is registered in the Saxon district of Zwickau, circa 1936. (Photo by Simca Aronde via Flickr)

A middle-aged fellow in a suit and tie posing at a picnic table in the countryside. The Simca 5 is registered in the French département of Rhône, circa 1938. (Photo by Simca Aronde via Flickr)

A mother and her daughter enjoying a roadside picnic in the countryside. A German-built Ford Taunus 12 M can be seen parked behind them, 1954. (Photo by Simca Aronde via Flickr)

Two cheerful ladies and a bald fellow in a suit enjoying a picnic in the countryside. A Mercedes 170 V can be seen in the background, circa 1955. (Photo by Simca Aronde via Flickr)

(Photo credit: Pinterest / Flickr / The Camden Public Library / Wikimedia Commons).

Related Posts

Putin says he will fire MORE of Russia’s new hypersonic missiles at targets in Ukraine and has already begun mass production of the nuclear-capable weapon

Vladimir Putin has said he will fire more of Russia’s new hypersonic missiles at targets in Ukraine. The Russian president added that his country has already begun mass production of the nuclear-capable weapon. Putin also said that Moscow would carry out more tests of the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile in ‘combat conditions,’ a day after firing one on Ukraine.

British Airways stewardess ‘faces the sack’ for revealing she was on the same flight as the one bringing Liam Payne’s body home with his family

A British Airways stewardess is at risk of losing her job after posting online she was on the same flight that was taking Liam Payne’s body home. Summer-Leigh Morrison took to Instagram to let her followers know she was on the flight travelling with the late One Direction star’s coffin. She is believed to have breached breached strict guidelines by sharing a picture of the British Airways flight manifest that detailed who was on the flight.

Bombshell MH370 hunt ready to launch as ‘credible’ new evidence emerges that could lead to huge discovery in WEEKS

A NEW hunt for the missing passenger plane MH370 is ready to launch after a “credible” search plan with new evidence was submitted to the Malaysian government. Underwater…

Behind the scenes in Trump’s transformed Mar-a-Lago that’s so exclusive even money can’t get you in

The terrace is packed every night with politicos looking for a post or people simply looking to party. The opportunistic and the merely curious are offering members thousands of dollars to land a seat at dinner. And since November 5 Mar-a-Lago has become ‘the most exclusive place’ on the planet,’ according to one regular. Every night is like a party, as guests throng the pool deck waiting for the man who will become the 47th president of the United States to make his grand entrance.

‘Putin isn’t bluffing… we are walking into disaster’, Serbia’s president warns, as Poland says ‘threat of global conflict is real’

Serbia’s president has issued a stark warning regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, claiming that Vladimir Putin is ‘not bluffing’ about the potential use of nuclear missiles. According to Serbian publication Novosti, President Aleksander Vucic, one of Putin’s allies who claims to know the Russian leader ‘very well’, told journalists: ‘Don’t think that someone somewhere is bluffing, unfortunately, nobody is bluffing and, unfortunately, we are walking into mild disaster’. Vucic’s ominous comment comes after Ukraine carried out its first strike on Russian territory with a US-supplied long-range missile on Tuesday – just days after the Biden administration gave Kyiv the green light despite fears it could escalate the conflict beyond control.

BBC Question Time audience member enrages farmers by saying he wants to play ‘the world’s smallest violin’ for those hit by Keir Starmer’s inheritance tax grab

A BBC Question Time audience member has enraged farmers after saying he wants to play ‘the world’s smallest violin’ for those hit by Keir Starmer’s inheritance tax. The Prime Minister is facing a growing backlash from farmers, celebrities and his own MPs over Labour’s decision to impose 20 per cent inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1million. More than 10,000 farmers and high-profile supporters including Jeremy Clarkson and Lord Lloyd Webber descended on Westminster to protest against the controversial policy on Tuesday.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *