Bound Volumes, Hometown History
December 28, 2023
70 YEARS AGO
40 YEARS AGO
“You’re not treating a patient anymore. You’re treating an adversary.” That’s how one physician sums up doctors’ fears of the professional and financial consequences of being sued for malpractice—even if they win their case. Those fears have triggered massive spending on defensive medicine, on malpractice insurance, and on the red tape these involve. The American Medical Association puts the total bill now at nearly $19 billion annually, or six cents for every dollar Americans spend for health care. The situation is most acute in New York State. New York’s physicians altogether will pay approximately $200 million in malpractice insurance premiums in 1984. Less than half of that will be paid for claims. The rest will be invested to build a war chest to cope with soaring judgment awards.
December 1983
30 YEARS AGO
When the invitation reads “black tie” most men reach for a tuxedo, white formal shirt and black cummerbund and tie. In recent seasons though, designers have been trying to steer men from dreary conformity to dashing creativity. The transformation can begin with a single item – a beaded vest, a tartan jacket, a printed silk smoking jacket. Creative black tie can also mean all black and no tie according to fashion designer Donna Karan’s DKNY. A band collar shirt is one of the simplest and most fashionable looks, says Rick Pallack, who caters to the likes of Tom Cruise, Sylvester Stallone, Michael J. Fox and Tom Selleck. “Menswear is so classic, that it’s not often real trends come along,” he says, “but this is the hottest thing.”
December 1993
20 YEARS AGO
Any good gift-wrapper knows that a satin or velvet ribbon tied up into a perfect bow can elevate otherwise ho-hum wrapping paper. Why not apply this principle to holiday party clothes? Ribbons, bows and vintage touches are inexpensive easy ways to add sparkle to any outfit. “The great thing to buy is a lot of really soft vintage-looking satin ribbons,” says fashion designer Cynthia Rowley. She suggests wearing ribbons around the neck, as a belt, or tied up in a T-strap shoe.
December 2003