Kilroy was here

[Bob Gnarly]

During World War II, the saying "Kilroy Was Here!" began to appear as graffiti at home and wherever the American military traveled abroad. Eventually the saying, and the cartoon character that often accompanied it, came to represent America's presence throughout the world. Today, it remains a whimsical symbol of the momentous achievements of an entire generation of Americans during the 20th century's darkest hour.

As we enter the year 2000, the 1940s remain one of the most pivotal decades of the 20th century. The Ohio Historical Society brings that era to life in Kilroy Was Here!: The 1940s Revisited, through December 2001, at the Ohio Historical Center. The exhibit allows visitors to reflect on the profound changes that occurred in American culture--and on the great personal sacrifices Ohioans and all Americans made--as a result of our involvement in WWII. The multidimensional exhibit also looks at lighter side of American life in the 1940s including music, sports, movies, and other aspects of the era's popular culture.

 

Kilroy Was Here! features life-sized family scenes from before, during and after WWII, complemented by videotaped recollections of Ohioans who lived during the era. The songs of decade accompany an in-depth 1940s timeline that vividly portrays the changing times with a large collection of objects and graphics. Visitors are invited to relax in an interactive period living room, where they can play games, try on '40s-style clothing and read magazines and newspapers from the period. At interactive kiosks nearby, they can also test their knowledge of news, sports and popular tunes of the day. Special evening events, lectures and a monthly series of family programming further enlivens this trip back in time.

 

 

 

source

[Reclaimer]

That's cool. I'm going go there next summer.

[[RAA]-=Chi3f=-]

I wish it was like that now. Peaceful and neighborly. MY neighborhood sucks! I'm on the corner of two fairly busy streets with a fire station down one of them and a middle school down the other. I have a nice place, though, so it makes up for it.

 

 

Turk182

[Antilles_CL]

That's interesting! I've actaully got a friend named Kilroy.

[edlib]

There's a shipyard down the street from where I live where the "Kilroy" thing got started.

The shipyard made many of the newer Battleships commissoned when WW2 broke out. Kilroy was the name of the chief welding inspector who would chalk "Kilroy was here" on the walls of every part he would inspect during his rounds on a finished ship.

 

"Originating as a chalked inspection notice in a Quincy, Mass., shipyard, the sketch of bald-headed Kilroy launched a thousand ships and eventually became the most familiar globe-trotting graffiti of World War II."

 

"The phrase “ Kilroy was here” and the accompanying graphic of a bald headed character looking over a fence was the trademark of Fore River Shipyard welder inspector James J. Kilroy."

 

Just a little piece of history trivia that you can share with your friends.

[Bob Gnarly]

Theres even a song by the Styx Mr. Roboto. I think that song was made during the time or am i wrong???

[Neverhoodian]

Aw man, wish I could go to it, but I live too far away. I'm a BIG World War II history buff, seeing it would be great!