Submitted 12 hours ago by Servomoore@lemmy.world to [deleted]
I was reading Doctor Strangelove trivia, and apparently as is said in the movie, survival kits really did have nylons in them. Why would they include those back then?
There’s a popular magazine where I live that has a section for reader submitted “hacks” and it’s kind of infamous for how many of them utilize nylons in some shape or form.
I’m quessing it’s not for any single purpose but rather a light and multifunctional item.
When I was a kid we had this magazine for kids, Kamrat-posten, and they explained you could do a lot of things with a nylon, you could, apparently, use it as a fan belt if your cars fan belt broke, and other things I don’t remember.
On a side note, what I do remember is their survival kit for kids (like for going into the forest) included condoms, super good if you need to carry water apparently.
Unlubricated condoms are very effective for waterproofing things.
Giving her nylons could turn a hardcore nazi woman into an Allied collaborator in about 5 seconds.
Similar but in reverse to the nazis who worked on the USA’s rocket program.
I think we used paperclips for that.
I’m sure there were good reasons that others have noted, but I find there is usually a good reason as well as a real reason for all human choices, and when it comes to nylon and WWII, it’s hard not to think of the DuPonts and their influence in the early military-industrial complex.
Who knows in what smoke-filled boardroom some wonky was instructed that “nylons will be part of procurement for survival kits, your job is to figure out why”? I speculate here, but it would be fully in character for them.
Trade good. Cheaper than gold.
It was an easy way to get your dick wet in post war Europe.
They can help prevent chafing and blisters. They’re a good base layer under thermal underwear. They can keep some insects, leeches, and other parasites from biting.
US Soldiers in Iraq commonly requested family members send pantyhose in care packages.
For a pretty good weekend in Vegas.
Could be part of a water filter or used as mosquito netting but it doesn’t hurt to have something worth trading if you end up in a populated area too. They’re lightweight, multi-purpose and valuable in the kind of place where a damaged bomber might make an unexpected landing.
first guess, lightweight portable water filtration
To be French in those times… to a lesser degree it is kinda like being a merican now… it is a shit stack of just terrible now. We are playing both sides yet the root of the problem. I could go deeper but they will burn me at the stake. I must not mention commun…
IWW4@lemmy.zip 11 hours ago
Nylons if worn under the uniform do a great job of keeping you warm and prevent chaffing.
TexasDrunk@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
This is the one I was looking for. Many years ago I worked construction and these big burly dudes who hated gay people at the time and likely hate trans people today all wore them under their clothes in the winter.