1930s
The Golden Gate Bridge Bolt
In 1937, the city of San Francisco was busy preparing for the upcoming 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition when it was was approached by an engineer from Connecticut, Joseph Bazzeghin, who had an unusual proposal. He wanted to use the recently completed Golden Gate Bridge as a structure upon which to build the ultimate roller coaster, which he would call the Golden Gate Bridge Bolt. He envisioned this coaster being the centerpiece of the exposition, in the same way that the Eiffel Tower was the centerpiece of the 1900 Paris Exposition.
Image source: CA State Archives Newsletter
His plan involved attaching tracks to the cables of the bridge. These tracks would rise 300 feet above the first tower, and then drop 750 feet to the deck level of the center span — during which plunge the coaster would reach a speed of 190 mph. But then it would rise up again, 300 feet over the second tower, only to plunge 1000 feet toward the water and speed through a viaduct into Marin County.
During the second plunge riders would reach 220 mph, at which speed the force of the wind would make it impossible for them to breathe. So Bazzeghin planned to provide them with paper masks to protect their eyes, nose, and mouth.
His scheme was rejected, partially because the city was worried about drivers on the bridge being distracted by the sight of the roller coaster. But also because it would have been incredibly expensive, and possibly impossible, to build.
More info: CBS SF BayArea, SF Chronicle
Posted By: Alex - Tue May 18, 2021 -
Comments (3)
Category: Architecture, Fairs, Amusement Parks, and Resorts, 1930s
Dr. Munch’s Marijuana Madness
1938: Dr. James Clyde Munch described to his students at Temple University what happened when he smoked "a handful of reefers" as an experiment.I'm thinking there may have been something more than just marijuana in those cigarettes.
Time - Apr 11, 1938
Munch liked his story about the disorienting effects of marijuana so much that he repeated it at several criminal trials.
New York Daily News - Apr 8, 1938
Posted By: Alex - Fri May 14, 2021 -
Comments (4)
Category: Drugs, Smoking and Tobacco, Experiments, 1930s
The Xervac Anti-Baldness Device
Read all about it here.
And here, source of the photo below.
Posted By: Paul - Tue May 11, 2021 -
Comments (8)
Category: Technology, Patent Medicines, Nostrums and Snake Oil, 1930s, Hair and Hairstyling
Work continues during gas attack
"So business will not be interrupted if enemy airplanes should loose gas bombs on Rome before quitting time, a new transparent gas mask that enables a typist to see clearly while enjoying protection from noxious fumes has been introduced into the war-minded Italian capital."
Elmira Star-Gazette - Feb 4, 1935
Posted By: Alex - Sat May 01, 2021 -
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Category: War, 1930s
Artwork Khrushchev Probably Would Not Have Liked 34
Walter Quirt (1902–1968), "The Future Is Ours" (1935)
Posted By: Paul - Thu Apr 29, 2021 -
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Category: Art, Surrealism, 1930s
The Science of Mental Physics
Source of ad.
Read the whole text here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Apr 26, 2021 -
Comments (4)
Category: Cult Figures and Artifacts, New Age, Supernatural, Occult, Paranormal, 1930s, 1940s
Fingernail Birthday Party—and Necklace
Read the whole story with more pix here.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Apr 17, 2021 -
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Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Body, Human Marvels, Movies, Publicity Stunts, 1930s
Dancing on the Moon
Posted By: Paul - Wed Apr 14, 2021 -
Comments (1)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Babies, Cartoons, 1930s, Sex Lives Worse Than Yours
Avoid Undie Odor
Throughout the 1930s and 40s, the marketing team for Lux soap repeatedly warned consumers that if they didn't wash their clothes everyday, they risked having "undie odor". Some details from Suellen Hoy in her book Chasing Dirt: The American Pursuit of Cleanliness:Francis Countway, the president of Lever Brothers and the individual most responsible for the "discovery" of body odors and the "stop smelling" ad pitch, was inspired by Listerine's successful advertising campaign against the previously unknown halitosis. Countway and his associates admitted, while Lever Brothers' business boomed, that they cared little "about the opinions of softies who think that the Body and Undie Odor copy is disgusting." They were simply doing their job, "bringing cleanliness into a dirty world."
Lux soap was also responsible for the "undies are gossips" campaign.
Wilmington Evening Journal - Feb 9, 1932
Kansas City Star - Apr 24, 1940
Posted By: Alex - Thu Apr 08, 2021 -
Comments (4)
Category: Hygiene, Advertising, Underwear, 1930s, Smells and Odors
Manly Bosoms Indecent
1934: Coney Island police continued to crack down on male bathers who adopted the new fashion of topless bathing suits.As for the female bathers:
"But if it's indecent we won't allow it," he said.
Windsor Star - May 15, 1934
Posted By: Alex - Mon Apr 05, 2021 -
Comments (1)
Category: Censorship, Bluenoses, Taboos, Prohibitions and Other Cultural No-No’s, Fashion, Swimming, Snorkeling, and Diving, 1930s
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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 |