History Warp ( 9/10-16): Preggers & Pulchritude

Some historical nuggetoids I must take on faith. Hopefully you shall also.

Because despite the bazillions of bits of data cascading through the cybergalaxy, far too much of it is facebookery about cousin Janie’s new countertop or Uncle Blem’s wait at O’Hare while a new Delta crew is found. And not enough to confirm the existence of such seminal information as I’m about to impart.

Which is to ask, take this one on faith. I know I have.

I am advised, and thus pass it on to you, that on September 11, 1955, the first white wedding dress designed specifically for pregnant brides was unveiled at a bridal fair in Harrowgate, England.

Western Civilization as we had come to know it, hasn’t been the same since.

* * * * *

Synnøve Macody Lund is the type of Nordic beauty, who, more often than not, takes my breath away.

It certainly happened a little while back, when “Headhunters,” a Norwegian film in which she plays an integral role, played in my town.

Be still my beating heart.

Frankly, I’m not sure if she’s from Norway or Sweden, where I know from a semi-bio that she studied film. What I know is she’s the latest in a line of beauties from that part of the world who have grabbed my attention. The line runs through Elke Sommer and beyond.

It started — before my time, truth be told — on September 12, 1850, when Jenny Lind, the “Swedish Songbird,” made her heralded American debut at Castle Garden in New York. So lovely and famous and talented was Ms. Lind, that none other than P.T. Barnum promoted her tour, for which she was remunerated $1000 per gig for her 150 performance tour.