June 2024
June 10, 2024
The Obayashi Space Elevator
Back in 2012, the Obayashi Corporation announced that it would have built a functioning space elevator by 2050, and that construction of it would begin in 2025.But when journalists recently checked in with the company to see if all was proceeding on schedule, they found (no surprise) that no, the company won't be starting construction of a space elevator next year. But the company still claims that it's "engaged in research and development, rough design, partnership building, and promotion."
So I doubt that I'll get to see a space elevator in my lifetime.
More info: ScienceAlert.com, Obayashi Corporation
Posted By: Alex - Mon Jun 10, 2024 -
Comments (2)
Category: Technology, Space Travel, Transportation
Follies of the Madmen #598
Posted By: Paul - Mon Jun 10, 2024 -
Comments (3)
Category: Fashion, Oceans and Maritime Pursuits, Advertising, 1950s
June 9, 2024
Artisanal Pencil Sharpening
For $100 you can buy a pencil that's been hand-sharpened (in an artisanal way) by David Rees.It used to be that people would send him their own pencils for him to sharpen, but now he's streamlined the process by supplying the pencil, sharpening it, and mailing it directly to you.
More info: artisanalpencilsharpening.com
via Book of Joe
Posted By: Alex - Sun Jun 09, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Jobs and Occupations, Writers
LSD Dangers: The Hotdog
Posted By: Paul - Sun Jun 09, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Death, Drugs, Psychedelic, Food, PSA’s, 1960s
June 8, 2024
Moro the Human Icicle
The performer 'Moro' made a career out of the frozen-in-ice stunt. Later performed in Nov 2000 by David Blaine.I've always assumed there's no particular skill involved in the stunt — that it's not very cold inside the ice.
Iowa City Press Citizen - Oct 26, 1931
Ottawa Evening Citizen - Feb 16, 1931
The Winston County Journal - Mar 9, 1934
Posted By: Alex - Sat Jun 08, 2024 -
Comments (0)
Category: Human Marvels, 1930s
Adam 2
Reminds me of the cartoons of Terry Gilliam.The creator's Wikipedia page.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Jun 08, 2024 -
Comments (0)
Category: Surrealism, Cartoons, 1970s
June 7, 2024
Eating ramen as restaurant burns
One of the minor weird-news themes we track here on WU is that of people who are so engrossed in whatever they're doing that they're unfazed by the building burning around them. (See the previous posts "Can't miss the show", "Unfazed by fire", and "The Smoke-Filled Room").The phenomenon was seen recently at a Ramen Jiro restaurant in Tokyo. As thick smoke began to fill the restaurant, the diners inside simply continued to eat their noodles as if nothing was wrong. More info: SoraNews24
Posted By: Alex - Fri Jun 07, 2024 -
Comments (2)
Category: Restaurants, Psychology
Miss Drag Strip
Apparently, there were several "Miss Drag Strip" contests around the nation, so these two photos might not go together--but they are illustrative of the genre!
Posted By: Paul - Fri Jun 07, 2024 -
Comments (3)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Regionalism, 1950s, Cars
June 6, 2024
Lobster Leash
Lobster Life Systems of Lodi, New Jersey was just granted a patent (No. 11,997,992) for a "lobster tether and method of tethering a lobster."This should be useful if, like the French poet Gérard de Nerval, you enjoy taking your pet lobster for walks. Nerval tethered his lobster with a leash made of silk ribbon.
Nerval walking his lobster
via Jeff Steck
Posted By: Alex - Thu Jun 06, 2024 -
Comments (2)
Category: Animals, Patents
Too Many Grandkids
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jun 06, 2024 -
Comments (0)
Category: Excess, Overkill, Hyperbole and Too Much Is Not Enough, Family, 1960s
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction books such as Elephants on Acid. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Chuck Shepherd Chuck is the purveyor of News of the Weird, the syndicated column which for decades has set the gold-standard for reporting on oddities and the bizarre. Our banner was drawn by the legendary underground cartoonist Rick Altergott. Contact Us |
