1900s
O. J. Wangen, Evil Paint Seller
It makes no difference whether you want your house painted or not; whether you want to use Sherwin-Williams or another brand; whether you plan to do it yourself or employ a different company. None of this counts in the face of O. J. Wangen's plan for world domination. "Let us have our way... We will have it, all or part of it in the end."
Original ad here. (Scroll down at link.)
Posted By: Paul - Sun Mar 18, 2012 -
Comments (6)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Evil, Newspapers, Interior Decorating, 1900s
Long Lance
I'm trespassing on Alex's territory here, with an hour-length documentary on what was once a famous hoax.
Here's the story in a nutshell.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Jan 21, 2012 -
Comments (1)
Category: Eccentrics, Hoaxes and Imposters and Imitators, 1900s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, North America, Nineteenth Century, Native Americans
The Vacuum Cap
Original ad here. (Scroll down.)
Posted By: Paul - Mon Jan 16, 2012 -
Comments (3)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Frauds, Cons and Scams, 1900s, Hair and Hairstyling
The Extraordinary Catalog of Peculiar Inventions
I've just finished reading the fine book about weird fraternal lodge devices from a century ago. It would make a fine gift for any WU-vie.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Dec 10, 2011 -
Comments (5)
Category: Clubs, Fraternities and Other Self-selecting Organizations, Inventions, Books, 1900s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, Pranks, Nineteenth Century
Dr. Olgierd Lindan’s Collection of Unusual Medical Devices & Antique Electronics
WU-vies will find much to amuse them on this page of weird medical gadgets.
One of the prime charlatans whose stuff is on display was a fellow named Dr. Albert Abrams pictured to the right.
You can read a book he wrote here.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Nov 05, 2011 -
Comments (5)
Category: Body, Frauds, Cons and Scams, Medicine, Body Fluids, 1900s, 1910s, 1920s, Nineteenth Century
The Burgler’s Slide for Life
This is kind of boring--until the burglar goes out the window, and the guard dog follows!
Posted By: Paul - Fri May 08, 2009 -
Comments (1)
Category: Domestic, Movies, Stupid Criminals, Dogs, 1900s
The Bicycle Shower
Combining your workout with a shower could save some time, I suppose. Though I'm not sure if that was the intended purpose of this invention. From the Chicago Tribune, Jan 18, 1903.
Posted By: Alex - Tue Apr 21, 2009 -
Comments (14)
Category: Bathrooms, Exercise and Fitness, Hygiene, Inventions, 1900s
How to Tell the Birds from the Flowers
As children, my sibs and I were utterly fascinated by this weird little book. We studied the drawing for hours. Now you can too, thanks to the magic of the internet!
Posted By: Paul - Fri Apr 17, 2009 -
Comments (1)
Category: Animals, Nature, Books, 1900s
The Electric Hotel
Electricity can do anything!NOTE: When I first posted this on Sunday morning, the link was bad. My apologies!
Try it now!
Posted By: Paul - Sun Mar 01, 2009 -
Comments (3)
Category: Movies, Technology, 1900s
Bertillon Measurements
You've probably heard of the Bertillon System, one of those discredited "scientific" theories detailing how body measurements indicated racial and/or criminal aspects of a person.Well, here's how the NYC Police Department went about securing Bertillon measurements, circa 1908--courtesy of the George Bain Collection at the Library of Congress.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Feb 06, 2009 -
Comments (6)
Category: Crime, Fads, Science, Anthropology, Experiments, Stereotypes and Cliches, 1900s
| Who We Are |
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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, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. 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. Contact Us |