Do you know what this desk's second purpose was?

If, fifty years ago, you knew to hide under your desk at school when the alarm bell rang, then you were in school during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Now, what was the thinking that a desk would save you from nuclear fall out?  I just finished listening to a series of interviews on CBC radio from people who were adults during this period and had front row seats this month, 50 years ago.  Thank God, clear heads prevailed and we did not suffer a nuclear war.  How close were we?  Very close!

Photo credit (and this photo is so wonderful!)  Desk

 

Valerie Zinger  valeriezinger@gmail.com 

Ottawa, Canada      613-859-7759

 

 
Posted by Valerie Zinger on 10/19/2012 07:33 AM   Comments (25)   Miscellaneous Topic in the ActiveRain Channel   zingers, cuban missile crisis  
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25 Comments on A wooden desk was your first line of defence.

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

OCT
19
545,946 Points 121 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Patty:  So some areas of the continent continued to have drills.  Now, I imagine that if you live in tornado alley there must be sirens and drills as well.  

Kathy:  My girlfriend told me that she was wee during this time but thought that if her route home was through the park, "they" would never find her or get to her.  Your aunt sounds like she was a VERY practical person.
12:08pm • #6
155,778 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I do remember the confrontation, 'The Cuban Missile Crisis' as it was called, but we were not subjected to those pointless drills.
2:09pm • #7
334,602 Points 7 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I was too young to remember those drills but have seen the old videos.   I always wondered what they thought that ducking under your desk was going to actually do.   Thanks for the memories Valerie.

 
5:24pm • #8
388,883 Points 21 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I was gonna say a good Time-out chair! Thank goodness those days are over.
5:48pm • #9
1,500,997 Points 355 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Valerie...

I remember those "duck and cover drills" well. And all of the PSAs about nuclear fallout. Funny, we were never terrified, we just took it all in stride.
7:12pm • #10
468,109 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thinking back on that time and hiding under the desk is laughable. Were the powers that be really that stupid to think that getting under your desk would somehow save us? Actually, what I really think is that they already knew what would happen. Doing crazy things like hiding under your desk was just something for the little people to do to keep us occupied and not think about what could really happen.
9:32pm • #11
OCT
20
545,946 Points 121 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Robert:  Yes, now thinking back, they certainly would not have protected us.

Jim:   When you see those videos it is like going to a museum - the olden days.  

Ellen:  Oh, you are so right.  The chair was turned into the corner and you had to sit there staring at the walls until the punishment was over.  

Richard:  I think our parents were a bit more concerned and just kept their anxiety away from us.

Sussie:  Maybe so.  Did you ever go into someone's bomb shelter?  Imagine being holed up there for months.  Yikes!!!!
5:23am • #12
899,475 Points 35 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Also, giving away my age but I do remember that and wondering at the time how the heck that formica desk was going to help but one does what one is told in school or else.  At least, back then :)
6:04am • #13
548,645 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Valerie, I remember having to put cotton in my ears during the Air Raid warnings in Calcutta in the early sixties when there were indo-chinese conflicts ...
8:41am • #14
545,946 Points 121 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Toni:  I know what you mean.  I would HATE to be teacher today.  I hear they are not allowed to use the beaver tail strap.  Now that sucker hurt but you paid attention.

Chris:  I had no idea you had such an exotic background.  Imagine!!!
11:10am • #15
1,032,399 Points 239 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Valerie- my aunt was practical and sharp as a tack!
8:19pm • #16
OCT
21
1,226,790 Points 79 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good morning Valerie,

I'm over from Kathy's post this morning where she hi lighted your post. I can see why she did! Somehow I missed this post and love the photo of the desk! I too remember those drills and also never taking them very seriously..just did it because it was part of what we did in school! No protests :).
5:36am • #17
1,422,992 Points 41 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Time passes so fast . .a few days ago I read a report of the Cuban missile crisis and I was amazed how close we got. . 
6:40am • #18
1,056,241 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Great post...I saw your post thanks to Kathy, and I agree it is worthy of her feature....have a wonderful day!
7:13am • #19
975,855 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I am reading the O'Reilly book, Killing Lincoln. It makes this same point.
8:51pm • #20
OCT
22
282,737 Points 11 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Valerie, what a great photo. I was born around that time, but as you say, we are very fortunate clear thinking prevailed!
11:52am • #21
OCT
23
1,445,284 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

How little we knew 50 years ago.

Have an outstanding week.  Enjoy the colors of autumn with your camera in hand.
5:17am • #22
1,190,060 Points 32 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Valerie, I hope we are not that close ever again.....but Iran......
5:17am • #23
545,946 Points 121 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Dorie:  Most children think of themselves as invincible or that they are far to young ot face any real danger. What a wonderful state to be in.

Fernando.  It was minutes away.  Whew.

Kristin:  I was so grateful that she picked me in her weekly learning.

Cheryl:  I would love to live my life with rose coloured glasses.  
10:39am • #24
545,946 Points 121 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Peg:  We were reminded that we lived just north of a missile base in North Dakota.  Whether it was there or not was just scary to think about.

Roy:  It was bliss.

Al and Peggy:  I agree and we are certainly not out of the 'woods'.  
10:41am • #25

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