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The Origin of the Bob by William Heath Robinson
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The Origin of the Bob by William Heath Robinson
- And the first realisation of its advantages. A lady struggling to maintain her hair style while on board a board, looks with envy at a decks mop and its unmoving head. Heath Robinson suggests that herein lies the origin of the popular bobbed hair styles of the 1920s. Date: 1919
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Media ID 14169144
© Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/ILN/Mary Evans Picture Library
Bobbed Messy Neat Origin Origins Pins Storm Stormy
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In this whimsical and humorous illustration by British artist William Heath Robinson, titled "The Origin of the Bob" (1919), we find ourselves on the deck of a storm-tossed ship. Amidst the chaos of the stormy seas, a lady in an elegant hat and dress clings to the railing, her carefully coiffed hair a mess of pins and tangles. She casts a longing gaze towards a deckhand, who nonchalantly wields a mop with an unmoving, bobbed head. Heath Robinson's cartoon suggests that this unusual sight is the origin of the popular bobbed hairstyles that would come to define the 1920s. The practicality and ease of the bobbed style, as represented by the mop's unchanging head, would have been a welcome relief for women seeking to maintain their appearance amidst the active and unpredictable world of the 20th century. The illustration's intricate detail and playful sense of humor are characteristic of Heath Robinson's work. The stormy scene is rendered with a sense of energy and movement, while the contrast between the lady's disheveled hair and the neat, bobbed head of the mop adds a touch of whimsy and wit. This image offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of hairstyles and the cultural context of the early 20th century. It reminds us that even in the midst of chaos and adversity, there is always room for innovation and the pursuit of a more practical, streamlined look.
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