When critics of MSM — mainstream media — write wistfully of how great American newspapers once were, they aren’t referring to the Minneapolis Star of 1935. This once-source brief leaves many unanswered questions: How many students were measured? Over what time period? How dramatic was the increase? Why weren’t men measured? Who paid for this “study” and how much did it cost? And just who is this Dr. Jenks? The founder of the University of Minnesota’s Anthropology Department — and discoverer of the “Minnesota Man” — certainly had some curious theories about race and society.

University Girls
Have Longer Arms

Co-eds with short arms are disappearing from the campus of the University of Minnesota, Dr. A.E. Jenks, university anthropologist, has discovered to back his contention that a distinctive American race is being developed.

Unless unforseen immigration of large numbers of definite types into this country takes place, the racial stocks and environment will produce a race which will be taller than average, dark-haired, dark-eyed and darker-skinned than the present typical Minnesotan, according to Dr. Jenks.

Extreme blonds will disappear soon unless there is heavy immigration from northern Europe. Even the pure Negro stock in this country is being lost, he declared.

Size matters, at least in fencing. No doubt the longer-armed of these two University of Minnesota students — known as “coeds” when this photo was taken in about 1935 — had a distinct advantage. The dingy venue appears to be Norris Hall, built in 1914 as a gym for women and named after J. Anna Norris, director of the Department of Physical Education for Women, 1912-1941. (mnhs.org photo)

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