Masks worn by doctors during the Plague VS Portable Christmas music to get one into the Holiday spirit while doing the dinner preparation during the 1950s

They believed the disease was airborne and was spread by miasma, which is a noxious form of "bad air." To battle this perceived threat, the long beak was packed with such sweet smells as dried flowers, herbs and spices. Also the bird-beak mask provided the doctors with creepy award-winning costumes for any fancy dress party they might be attending. The doctors' attempt at safety backfired in the sense that the bird masks became a symbol of the Black Death.

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This housewife looks absolutely delighted to be partaking in some Christmas music with the Pandora of the day. Imagine a time when you actually had to put your stereo system on a cart in order to listen to music while in the kitchen while holding a roast dinner. Around this time, portable battery-operated reel-to-reel tape recorders were introduced to the public - but were a bit pricey. Cassette decks were introduced in the 60s for home use - and became the portable music of choice for those making Christmas dinner.

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