American Life – New York City, 1942

Red Hot Frankfurters

Pictured is Lee Ah Ding and Yee Chee Ching by a Red Hot Frankfurters stall, trying American street food for the first time. The pair are the first Chinese seamen to be granted shore leave in New York City during World War II.

Lee, left, refused a Red Hot Frankfurter, but drank the Pepsi Cola with relish - it would be another forty years before Pepsi would be introduced to China, and remains one of the best selling drinks in the world. Bob's Cola, a brand new soda manufacturer, lasted less than 20 years, closing in 1955.

Color Reconstruction Jordan Lloyd
Words Jordan Lloyd

Original Photograph by Edward Gruber
Format 1 negative : nitrate ; 4 x 5 inches or smaller
Date 1942
Location New York City, USA
Source Library of Congress / Office of War Information