Dance marathons lasted for days, sometimes even weeks, and contestants needed to keep moving at all times. Style did not matter! Health officials tried to shut down these contests but failed. For the poor, they were an escape from the hopelessness of the Depression.
The Zoot Suit was the coolest suit, worn first in Harlem. The fad ended rather quickly when the WWII effort restricted the amount of material used in men's clothing (and this suit used a lot!).
When a Harvard freshman swallowed a goldfish on a dare, students everywhere (mostly male) were gulping five, ten and twenty fish in a single sitting. When the fad showed no sign of fading, many towns passed laws making this pastime illegal while schools threatened to expel students who engaged in this activity.
Crazy 20th Century Fads
We Won't Miss!
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Couple falling asleep during a dance marathon
Goldfish swallower