Obsolescence

From Shorpy (The 100-Year-Old Photo Blog) comes this whimsical photograph by Russell Lee of a man for whom every second counted. I love how he has that block of ice there, ready for the next customer (who'd better hurry!). Shorpy's caption:

February 1939. "Ice for sale. Harlingen, Texas." View full size. Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. Here we have a very concise study in what you need for an ice business: Telephone, cash register, tongs, ice pick and a big block of you-know-what. Not to mention plenty of twine.