Vivid Kodachrome Photos Show the Bygone Manhattan of the Early 1940s

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Step into a time machine through a series of vivid Kodachrome photographs that offer an enthralling glimpse into the bygone streets of Manhattan during the early 1940s.

These colorful snapshots serve as portals to a city pulsating with life, painting a captivating picture of a metropolis on the cusp of change.

A bustling Fifth Avenue teems with stylish pedestrians, donning the fashions of yesteryears. Vintage automobiles navigate the streets, their polished surfaces reflecting the vibrant signs and architecture that defined the cityscape.

Street vendors peddle their wares, children engage in impromptu games, and workers labor with a determined purpose.

Each photograph encapsulates a microcosm of existence, immortalizing the untold stories and forgotten moments of a long-gone time.

The photos shown here were taken by Charles Weever Cushman. A keen amateur photographer and Indiana University alumnus, Cushman took approximately 15 thousand Kodachrome color slides from 1938 to 1969, during which time he extensively documented the United States as well as other countries.

Approaching Liberty St. ferry, New York City.

Kodachrome was a type of color reversal film that was widely recognized for its vibrant and enduring color reproduction.

It was introduced by Kodak in 1935 and quickly became a popular choice for both amateur and professional photographers.

Unlike many other color films of its time, Kodachrome produced color images directly on the film itself, rather than using a color negative that needed to be developed into a positive print.

Manhattan in Kodachrome Photos 1940s