In Minnesota: Poles and Profits

The barber would unlock the door of his shop at 7 a.m. or so—early, because it was an important ceremony of his day to shave the important and self-important men of the town, whose gold-lettered mugs stood splendidly on the shelf above the mirror. Then he would hang up his straw hat and suit coat and raise his window shades. After that he would put on his barber coat, and, finally, he would step outside his shop with the key for winding up his spring-driven barber pole motor. When the twisted red, white and blue stripes began spiraling their way to...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!