Any day of the week, Monday-Saturday, 1936
- New York (various locations within the state) -
Learn & Lather!
Soda fountain attendants were called “soda jerks” because they used a jerking motion to operate the handles of the fountain. A job typically held by young men, soda jerks created flavored drinks, ice cream sodas, and milkshakes.
Visiting soda fountains...
...in New York during 1936 has become a fun game and I plan to visit as many as I can. The best part of returning to 1936 (second to indulging in root beer floats) is that I do not have to disguise Mr. Franklin with that cumbersome reflective cover. Although he is a little outdated (ten years old) there are still plenty like him on the streets.
Keys (purchased) – Newspaper advertisements for soda fountains in New York. Mr. Franklin always starts without a hitch.
Arrivals – Early a.m. to late p.m. (depends on whether the newspaper ad is from a morning or evening edition).
Scent/s – Lunchtime. As my root beer float was served without a cherry (they had used their last one on a fine-looking sundae that was presented to a young man seated a few stools down from me), it will be necessary for me to collect a second scent. [ Custom-coated fabric (SX5) collected the scent in 13 minutes, 8 seconds (conditions: mild, dry, and comfortable). ] Lunchtime. Several months later. At the second location, my root beer float arrived with a bright red cherry on top, which is just the way I like it. After all, the cherry gives the treat a sweeter taste—and smell. [ Custom-coated fabric (SX5) collected the scent in 9 minutes, 23 seconds (conditions: cool and overcast). ]
Original header Image from Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/95506536/l