Who knew that in 1944 bananas were an unfamiliar food for Americans?

Makes sense. Shipping was slower then and bananas aren't a food that would travel well. I'm guessing that bananas didn't make it much past the tropics and Florida until shipping by plane became a more common occurrence.

There are still fruits that I have yet to see in person--dragon-fruit comes to mind--that I know I've tried the flavor of in a drink or something. Funny how such things work (but then, it took until I was about 16 before I saw a whole pomegranate).