1930s
The Man Who Wanted to Sell Himself to Science
Like a lot of people during the great depression, William Bird of Jacksonville, Vermont had fallen on hard times. He was out of work, heavily in debt, and facing eviction. He feared he would soon be unable to feed his wife and three children. So Bird came up with a plan. He would sell himself to science.
Los Angeles Times - Nov 15, 1936
He announced his offer in November 1936 by sending a letter to the local press. It read, in part:
If there is some doctor or group of doctors or scientists who’ll advance me $2500, I’ll agree to pay it back in two years. I have to sort of sell or mortgage myself because that’s the only security I can put up.
Now, if I failed to pay back the money when the time was up, I’d let them do anything they want with me. I’d let them try and kind of experiment on me.
Soon he sweetened the offer by specifying that it would be all right with him if he didn't survive the experimentation process. Naturally, his wife was opposed to the whole idea.
The media spread his unusual offer nationwide. Reporters noted that he was a prime physical specimen — six feet tall, 175 pounds, and a sturdy workman of good habits. In other words, excellent guinea pig material.
An anonymous Texan took sympathy on Bird and sent him $10. However, the scientific community wasn't tempted. No doctors took him up on his offer.
Although Bird didn't manage to sell himself as a human guinea pig, his story nevertheless had a happy ending. Within days of making his appeal, Bird was given a job on a construction project. He said, "I don't know who was responsible for giving me work, but I sure appreciate it." But he also noted that, despite now having a job, his offer still stood. He was still willing to sell himself to science, should some doctor ever want to take him up on it.
Los Angeles Times - Nov 18, 1936
Posted By: Alex - Mon Sep 09, 2019 -
Comments (2)
Category: Science, Experiments, 1930s
Healthiest US Pair
This is quite a distinction conferred by the 4-H congress of Chicago. I assume they examined every person in the USA before deciding.
Source.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Sep 07, 2019 -
Comments (0)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Health, 1930s
Mystery Gadget 80
What's happening here?
Answer at the link.
Or after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Fri Aug 23, 2019 -
Comments (3)
Category: Technology, 1930s
Wilson, Keppel and Betty
Two versions of another weird dance, inspired by Alex's recent posting! That is, Alex inspired my post, not the locomotions of the dancers!Their Wikipedia page.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Aug 09, 2019 -
Comments (4)
Category: 1930s, Dance
The man who phoned for peace
In 1936, American businessman Abraham Pickus started calling world leaders, trying to convince them to seek peaceful solutions. Amazingly, he got through to quite a few of them, including Hitler.Of course, his efforts didn't produce any tangible results, but you can't fault him for trying.
Newsweek - Apr 18, 1938
Posted By: Alex - Thu Aug 08, 2019 -
Comments (1)
Category: War, Telephones, 1930s
Mystery Gadget 79
This device is registering something. What?
The answer is here.
And beyond the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Thu Aug 08, 2019 -
Comments (1)
Category: Technology, 1930s
Follies of the Madmen #432
Posted By: Paul - Sat Jul 06, 2019 -
Comments (1)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Business, Advertising, Fashion, 1930s
Coated tongue means self-poisoning
From back in the day when advertisers just tried to scare consumers silly:"Coated tongue means self-poisoning. Correct it by all means."
Click to enlarge
Posted By: Alex - Fri Jun 28, 2019 -
Comments (3)
Category: Advertising, 1930s, Diseases
Gags and Gals: Mail Order Brides
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jun 27, 2019 -
Comments (4)
Category: Movies, Sexuality, Stereotypes and Cliches, 1930s, Women
The Tree-Sitting Fad of 1930
A national craze for a short time.
Article here.
Another article.
Not everyone was cooperative, as seen below.
Source.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Jun 25, 2019 -
Comments (1)
Category: Fads, Nature, 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 |