Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Are you stouter than fashion decrees? 

That was the question asked in a newspaper ad. And if you answered yes, the ad had the perfect answer: Rengo Belt Reducing Corsets, the “strongest and most scientific Reducing corsets made.”

A special belt “holds the figure firmly,” and a “heavy special elastic webbing automatically adjusts and holds down excess flesh over the hips and back.”

The Rengo Belt Reducing Corsets are “boned throughout with double watch-spring steel which we guarantee will not rust.”

From the censorship beat: Mayor W.J. Hindley planned on breaking a lifelong rule, in order to fulfill his duties as the city’s theater censor.

“I have never attended a show or a baseball game on Sunday in my life, because I have not thought it the right thing to do,” Hindley said.

But he felt he had to, in order to check out an often-banned play called “The Lure” at one theater and a movie called “Sapho” at another. Both theater managers were confident that Hindley would not find the versions they were presenting objectionable.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1940: Washington’s original Tacoma Narrows Bridge, nicknamed “Galloping Gertie,” collapsed into Puget Sound during a windstorm.