Mass Observation was a pioneering social research organisation whose papers provide insights into the cultural and social history of Britain from 1937 to 1965. This collection covers the end of the 'Hungry Thirties' when the impact of the Depression was still being felt; the onset of war, the Blitz and war on the home front, and; the post war world, with the rise of consumerism and television. Offers immediate and engaging evidence of major trends such as the increasing role of women in work, the birth of the welfare state, anti-Semitism and anti-communism, the growth of secularism and the increasing importance of radio, television and cinema in people's lives.