Tea Whiz

Tea Whiz by Nestea appeared on supermarket shelves in 1973, and then was discontinued almost right away. Hard to imagine what thought process led Nestea to think Tea Whiz would be a good name.

Los Angeles Times - Apr 14, 1973

Posted By: Alex - Fri Jul 20, 2018 - Comments (0)
Category: Coffee and other Legal Stimulants | 1970s

Virginia Slims Clothing

Dress in the tribal garments of your tobacco goddess.

Posted By: Paul - Fri Jul 20, 2018 - Comments (2)
Category: Fashion | Tobacco and Smoking | Advertising | Corporate Mascots, Icons and Spokesbeings | Women | Twentieth Century

Does seltzer water help plants grow?

In 1980, Canfield's natural seltzer launched a campaign to promote its product as being great for watering house plants. It printed on its labels: "We recommend our natural seltzer for house plants."

Could there have been any truth to this claim? Is seltzer water actually good for plants? Well, the only vaguely scientific study I can find addressing this claim (after, admittedly, only a brief search) was a student project conducted at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2002. The student researchers concluded, "Plants given carbonated water not only grew faster but also developed a healthier shade of green in comparison to plants given tap water."

So, maybe Canfield's was onto something. However, if you're thinking of treating your plants to some seltzer water, I imagine you'd want to use water at room temperature, not refrigerated. Cold water might shock their systems.

Marysville Journal-Tribune - June 9, 1980

Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer - May 19, 1980

Posted By: Alex - Thu Jul 19, 2018 - Comments (6)
Category: Nature | Science | Environmentalism and Ecology | Experiments | 1980s

Why a Monkey on the Leinster Coat of Arms?

"The coat of arms of the Dukes of Leinster derives from the legend that John FitzGerald, 1st Earl of Kildare, as a baby in Woodstock Castle, was trapped in a fire when a pet monkey rescued him. The FitzGeralds then adopted a monkey as their crest (and later supporters) and occasionally use the additional motto Non immemor beneficii (Not forgetful of a helping hand)."

The Wikipedia page.



Article source.

Posted By: Paul - Thu Jul 19, 2018 - Comments (1)
Category: Animals | Royalty | Eighteenth Century

Barfo Family Candy

The classic, vomiting-head candy released by Topps in 1990.

Drew Friedman tells the story of its creation here.

Spin - July 1991

Posted By: Alex - Wed Jul 18, 2018 - Comments (1)
Category: Candy | 1990s

Miss Interplanetary Space Queen of 1997

Source.

Posted By: Paul - Wed Jul 18, 2018 - Comments (3)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues | 1950s | 1990s | Yesterday's Tomorrows

Motion-Sickness Glasses

They're called SEETROËN glasses. They were designed by the French car company Citroën, which claims that they're the first glasses that eliminate motion sickness. Apparently the blue liquid in the glasses simulates level ground, which helps stop the vertigo feeling that some people get while traveling.

Interesting concept, but they look a lot like "crazy straw" glasses.

More info: visuall.net

Posted By: Alex - Tue Jul 17, 2018 - Comments (3)
Category: Fashion | Health | Inventions

Mystery Illustration 74

This young lass is delighted to be offering an armful of potatoes to someone. Who and why? PS: They are not the product of her personal horticultural skills.

The answer is here.


And after the jump.

More in extended >>

Posted By: Paul - Tue Jul 17, 2018 - Comments (3)
Category: Food | 1920s

Vegetable Orchestra

They've got a great beet!

Their website

Posted By: Alex - Mon Jul 16, 2018 - Comments (2)
Category: Food | Vegetables | Music

Debutante Soapbox Racing

Posted By: Paul - Mon Jul 16, 2018 - Comments (3)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues | Bicycles and Other Human-powered Vehicles | 1950s | Women