1937: Cynthia, the celebrity mannequin
Cynthia the mannequin was shaped from plaster by Lester Gaba, from Missouri, a dresser for department store windows.
She appeared on the New York scene with the then-25-year-old Gaba, at society events, nightclubs and restaurants. Cynthia receieved fan mail, a LIFE cover, and a credit card from Saks Fifth Avenue. She was even invited to the wedding of Britain’s King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson.
Images: Alfred Eisenstaedt / LIFE Magazine / Getty Images
