You had dry heat. How do you think New Yorkers did it in their skyscrapers back then in soppy humid weather ... wihtout AC?
Now for me, I know WWII had an impact on L.A.
Yep, many of the "native Californians" who rant and rave on FR are children and grandchildren of the folks who came through during WWII and then went to work in the "defense industry."