1930s
Ol’ Man Mose
Duchin's 1938 release of the Louis Armstrong song "Ol' Man Mose" (Brunswick Records 8155) with vocal by Patricia Norman caused a minor scandal at the time with the lyric "bucket" being heard as "fuck it." Some listeners conclude that there is no vulgarism uttered, while others are convinced that Norman does say "fuck."
The "scandalous" lyrics caused the record to zoom to #2 on the Billboard charts, resulting in sales of 170,000 copies when sales of 20,000 were considered a blockbuster. The song was banned after its release in Great Britain. The notorious number can be heard on a British novelty CD, Beat the Band to the Bar.
Listen for yourself, and register your vote in the comments!
Posted By: Paul - Mon Aug 03, 2020 -
Comments (11)
Category: Music, Obscenity, 1930s
Mystery Gadget 86
What's going on here?
Answer at the link, or beyond the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Sat Aug 01, 2020 -
Comments (5)
Category: Technology, 1930s
The Fashion Predictions of B.H. Myerson
If he had said the 1980s instead of the 50s, he wouldn't have been that far off.
Akron Beacon Journal - Jan 27, 1931
Saint Joseph Herald-Press - Feb 2, 1931
Posted By: Alex - Wed Jul 15, 2020 -
Comments (6)
Category: Fashion, 1930s, Yesterday’s Tomorrows
The Wreck of the City of San Francisco
One weird thing about this once-famous train crash: no perp was ever found.
Even with this lead, from a contemporary account.
Rather reminiscent of the One-Armed Man from the 1960s TV show THE FUGITIVE.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jul 15, 2020 -
Comments (2)
Category: Death, Destruction, Unsolved Mysteries, 1930s, 1960s, Trains
Mystery Gadget 85
What's happening to this poor woman?Answer is here.
Or behind the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Mon Jul 06, 2020 -
Comments (4)
Category: Technology, 1930s
Tony Galento’s Training Regimen
Wikipedia tells us:Galento, who claimed to be 5'9 (177 cm) tall, liked to weigh in at about 235 lb (107 kg) for his matches. He achieved this level of fitness by eating whatever, whenever he wanted. A typical meal for Galento consisted of six chickens, a side of spaghetti, all washed down with a half gallon of red wine, or beer, or both at one sitting. When he did go to training camp, he foiled his trainer's attempts to modify his diet, and terrorized his sparring partners by eating their meals in addition to his.
He was reputed to train on beer, and allegedly ate 52 hot dogs on a bet before facing heavyweight Arthur DeKuh. Galento was supposedly so bloated before the fight that the waist line of his trunks had to be slit for him to fit into them. Galento claimed that he was sluggish from the effects of eating all those hot dogs, and that he could not move for three rounds. Nevertheless, Galento knocked out the 6'3" (192 cm) DeKuh with one punch, a left hook, in the fourth round.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Jun 30, 2020 -
Comments (0)
Category: Excess, Overkill, Hyperbole and Too Much Is Not Enough, Food, Hygiene, Sports, 1930s
Spongo
"GET ACTUAL THRILL SENSATION USING SPONGO"
image source: Smithsonian
Wilkes-Barre Times Leader - May 25, 1938
Posted By: Alex - Mon Jun 01, 2020 -
Comments (6)
Category: Hygiene, 1930s, Teeth
Mystery Gadget 84
What does this machine do? Hint: it looks enormously overdesigned for its simple function.
The answer is here.
Or after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Mon May 18, 2020 -
Comments (4)
Category: Technology, 1930s
Travel sack for dogs
Jalopnik draws attention to a similar, but sturdier-looking "bird's dog palace," also supported by a running board.
Posted By: Alex - Thu Apr 30, 2020 -
Comments (10)
Category: Dogs, 1930s, Cars
Animal Keyboard
The "animal keyboard," introduced by Smith Corona in the mid-1930s, was designed to teach children how to type by having pictures of animals on the keys of the typewriter. As explained by Merritt Ierley in his book Wondrous Contrivances:
The Antikey Chop website provides even more info about the animal keyboard, but I must be missing the point because I don't understand how having pictures of animals on the keys would make it any easier to learn how to type.
Allentown Morning Call - Jan 7, 1937
Posted By: Alex - Mon Apr 06, 2020 -
Comments (3)
Category: Inventions, 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 |