1920s
Zulu Blowgun Free
Oh, just imagine the glorious lawsuit possibilities if this toy were offered today!
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Jan 15, 2013 -
Comments (7)
Category: Death, Stereotypes and Cliches, Toys, Lawsuits, 1920s, Africa
How to Apply Blackface
Denison's make-up guide (1926) was a catalogue of the various products sold by Denison, but it also offered detailed instructions on how to use their products. Below is their guide for "blacking up" using their Superfine Minstrel Black make-up paint. There were similar how-to's for other ethnic types such as the 'Ghetto Jew,' the Japanese, Irishman, Chinaman, etc. See more images from the catalogue at UVA's online exhibit, Uncle Tom's Cabin & American Culture.
Posted By: Alex - Wed Jan 09, 2013 -
Comments (8)
Category: Clowns, Costumes and Masks, Racism, 1920s
The Weight of Handwriting
Click to enlarge. From The Outline of Science, 1922. One of these would be useful for determining exactly how much weight you gained over Thanksgiving.
Posted By: Alex - Fri Nov 23, 2012 -
Comments (5)
Category: Inventions, Science, 1920s
Big Mouth Dentist
The dental patient depicted was a favorite at dental training college for his easy access.
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Nov 21, 2012 -
Comments (7)
Category: Freaks, Oddities, Quirks of Nature, 1920s, Face and Facial Expressions
Railroad Motorbus
Over recent years the internet has featured several posts about the small automobiles that were adapted to run on railroad tracks and used for inspection purposes.
But I don't believe there's been much coverage of this short-lived scheme that turned street buses into railway vehicles.
Original article here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Nov 20, 2012 -
Comments (8)
Category: Technology, 1920s, Bus, Trains
Pistol-packing Teacher
I'm very proud this incident is part of my home state's history.
From The New York Times for January 12, 1923.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Nov 15, 2012 -
Comments (5)
Category: Confusion, Misunderstanding, and Incomprehension, Education, 1920s, Alcohol
Mystery Gadget 14
The answer is here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Nov 09, 2012 -
Comments (10)
Category: Technology, 1920s
Flora Marian Spore
Original story here.
The woman depicted above went from female dentist to occult artist. Not the most common career path. She turned out many paintings "inspired" by ghosts.
Unfortunately, despite a fairly substantial career, none of her paintings seem to have survived or been recorded, except for the one depicted below.
Photo from the blog of Jim Linderman.
Wikipedia entry.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Oct 16, 2012 -
Comments (10)
Category: Art, Outsider Art, New Age, Paranormal, Unsolved Mysteries, 1920s
The Sport-Briar Pipe
"Is that an Indian Club between your lips, or are you just glad to be smoking?"
No wonder this never caught on.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Oct 01, 2012 -
Comments (3)
Category: Inventions, Chindogu, Smoking and Tobacco, 1920s
Wolverine Soap
Even before a certain blade-wielding comicbook character pre-empted the name of "Wolverine," could it possibly have been a good idea to name your product after a vicious, pint-sized killer beast?
"Wolverine Soap--it will rip the dirt off your skin, and your skin with it!"
No wonder the pitchman in the ad below is working so hard to find sales reps.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Sep 21, 2012 -
Comments (5)
Category: Animals, Business, Advertising, Products, Death, Destruction, Hygiene, Baths, Showers and Other Cleansing Methods, 1920s
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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 |