Clothing and dress

From left to right, John R. Steelman, Robert McChesney and John Strait pose for a photograph at the National Electrical Contractors Association Barbecue held in Houston, Texas. Mr. Steelman and Mr. Strait are wearing Western-style shirts and cowboy hats.

Robert McChesney (front row, left) stands with John Strait (back row fourth from left behind Mrs. Steelman), Emma (Mrs. John R.) Steelman (front row, fourth from left); John R. Steelman (front row, fifth from left) and a number of other unidentified men and women, as they pose for a photograph at the National Electrical Contractors barbecue held in Houston, Texas.

John R. Steelman (left) and John Strait (right) pose for a photograph at the National Electrical Contractors Association Barbecue held in Houston, Texas. They are both wearing Western-style shirts and cowboy hats.

John Strait is photographed dressed in western gear for a barbecue for the National Electrical Contractors Association, held in Houston, Texas.

Unidentified exterior view of a man dressed in a khalat, the traditional garb worn in Uzbekistan. According to Charles Thayer's curriculum vitae: "In 1955 I made an extended tour of European and Asiatic Russia and wrote a series for the Saturday Evening Post on post-Stalinist Soviet Union." Although not identified, this photograph is believed to have been taken during that trip. While on this trip and in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, Thayer wrote in his diary: "Every now and then, when an old man heard the click of my shutter, he turned and scowled angrily.

Interior view which includes a full view of a man seen wearing pajamas seated on a chair and talking on the telephone. The man may be author and diplomat Charles W. Thayer. The location is unknown.

Interior view of what appears to be a closet with towels in view on shelves. A partial view of a military uniform is on the right. Photograph may have been taken while Charles Thayer was a student at West Point Military Academy, 1929-1933. Original negative in Library.

Interior view of what appears to be a closet with towels in view on shelves. A partial view of a military uniform is on the right. Photograph may have been taken while Charles Thayer was a student at West Point Military Academy, 1929-1933. Original negative in Library.

Women's Army Corps (WACs) Technician (T/5) Thelma M. Mersch of Cincinnati, Ohio is wearing the new field uniform chosen by the WACs. This uniform was considered the most practical for field tent work and consisted of field boots, "High Top" slacks and wool shirt. Mersch was stationed with the WAC 6669th Headquarters Platoon supporting the Fifth Army stationed somewhere in the Sparanise area of Italy.