I remember 36" fabric, and I started sewing in the early 60's...
The fabric was not available at fabric stores, but at the department store, and we found everything from fabric to coats to - well, you name it, the store seemed to have most everything but groceries.
I remember SoFro, Northwest Fabrics, and even those measuring machines... Those machines measured accurately, but by the time the fabric was torn, you lost some length. I measured, before and after, once. But I still used the machine, as the store I worked for required it.
What a wonderful walk down memory lane this thread has been! Thanks :-D