Legs of Tomorrow

In 1939, ice skater Erna Anderson was declared to have the "Legs of Tomorrow" on the theory that "the woman of tomorrow will be more athletic."

Arguably this prediction came true. At least, it's common now for women to go to gyms, whereas it wasn't in the 1930s.

Minneapolis Star - June 2, 1939

Erna Anderson. Source: New York Public Library

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Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Alex - Mon May 09, 2022
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests | Exercise and Fitness | 1930s | Legs | Yesterday’s Tomorrows

Comments

Any theories about why her legs are pale for four inches above the knee?

Posted by Phideaux on 05/09/22 at 08:58 AM

I thought she might have been wearing stockings. Or maybe her legs were painted for some reason?

Posted by Alex on 05/09/22 at 07:13 PM

I knew a young lady who, during the summer, basically switched between capri pants w/sandals and short-shorts w/knee-high socks and tenny runners. She was pale, just like in that photo, but it was from the knee down several inches.

I can't imagine what combination would account for being pale above the knee.

Posted by Phideaux on 05/09/22 at 07:36 PM

Female skaters wear tights and I'd venture to say she is wearing tights that, for whatever reason, have a light colored band. The color variance is too precise to be the result of tanning.

Posted by Teri on 05/10/22 at 12:10 AM

Is it an odd coincidence that the light colored stripe lines up with the dark band at the bottom of the "wall" behind her?

Posted by Teri on 05/10/22 at 12:14 AM

Considering that the average American woman now weighs 183 lbs., I'd say their prediction was a little off the mark.

Posted by Guy on 05/10/22 at 04:56 AM

Her "tan lines" lining up with those dark stripes on the wall are the answer, IMO. It's some kinda 1930's camera thing. There are also light spots at her armpit and left forearm that don't look right.

Posted by Virtual in Carnate on 05/10/22 at 12:26 PM

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