Original Items: Only One Lot of 2 Available. A blackout during war, or in preparation for an expected war, is the practice of collectively minimizing outdoor light, including upwardly directed (or reflected) light. This was done in the 20th century to prevent crews of enemy aircraft from being able to identify their targets by sight, such as during the London Blitz of 1940. In coastal regions, a shoreside blackout of city lights also helped protect ships from being seen silhouetted against the artificial light by enemy submarines farther out at sea.

The German aerial bombing of the United Kingdom, the Blitz, began in the fall of 1940. The tales of terror quickly crossed the ocean and impressed Americans on the need for effective air raid safety, including blackouts. As the name suggests, blackouts require businesses and residents to turn off all lights that would enable enemy aircraft to identify population centers or specific targets by sight. There could be no lit streetlights or neon signs, no flashlights or car headlights. Drapes or blankets covered all windows. In nearly all American cities, blackouts and general air raid preparedness were treated seriously by the populace, and Clopay effectively manufactured blinds and shades for this reason.

The shades appear to be in functional condition and with original packaging and labels. The company was founded in 1859 as the Bernard Seinsheimer Corporation, a paper wholesaler located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Starting in the 1930s, they manufactured blackout window shades for the war effort and changed their name to Clopay, an acronym for “Cloth and Paper”.

Comes more than ready for display or to be used at your next movie night!