Rayon Shirt, circa 1950
Neckerchief and Slide, circa 1950
Donated by Rosanne O'Donnell

Children appeared on the suburban landscape in amazing numbers after World War II. Fred O'Donnell wore this rayon shirt to attend nearby St. Joseph School in Wilmette. The accompanying bright red, cotton neckerchief features a painted horse, buggy whip and horseshoe motifs. The metal slide has an embossed gun and holster. Many children of the 1950s enjoyed watching and imitating the Western programs on the newly available television sets. Television characters rapidly became familiar, and a whole world of advertising and licensing was born.