And through the Window in the Wall...

[rain_gryphon]

Sunlight through the windows of Grand Central Terminal. I remember as a child seeing sunlight striking down in solid white beams from the windows on winters' days, in scenes much like this one. It's something you don't see anymore, and will probably never see again in my lifetime, since people aren't allowed to smoke indoors anymore.

It was a smelly habit, and we're probably best off without it, but it's worth remembering that for most of the twentieth century, indoor spaces smelled of tobacco smoke, the stale old smell mingling with the rich new smell, and the sunlight was a solid substance. The past was a different place.

*****

Best headline of the year, so far: Residents disgusted after woman's body found in hotel water tank

Comments

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

Beautiful picture... ^v^ ... I suppose there may be some ways and rare times we could see that again, like when things are really cold and foggy... but yeah, health is probably a better goal in this case...

[xolo.livejournal.com]

Prolly so, and like I said, everyplace was always stinky then too. Still, it was visually striking.

[mejeep.livejournal.com]

Grand central Terminal is celebrating 100 years, so there's lotsa photos of the "secret" areas. Happily, it's been cleaned and more that just restored, it's a revitalized landmark full of activities.

There's a little dark square on the ceiling to show how damaged it was by cigarette smoke! I'm glad my hair & clothing no longer reeks from being near smokers.

I wish I had photos of the day when all the old terminals were lined up in the office hall. It was easy to spot those from the smoking offices: they were brown when others were white or beige.

[xolo.livejournal.com]

I need to come see some of that stuff sometime.

[xolo.livejournal.com]

That's in New York City, actually, but I do agree about the fascination of history.