1930s
Mystery Gadget 53
What is going on inside this giant potato?
The answer is here.
And after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Sat Nov 04, 2017 -
Comments (2)
Category: Technology, 1930s
Follies of the Madmen #332
Wait a minute--this is my own tire on my own car that is being represented as a hideous criminal killer! And since I, the driver, am responsible for my own tires, I must be a hideous criminal killer too!
Way to make your customers feel good about themselves!
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Oct 29, 2017 -
Comments (1)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Business, Advertising, Corporate Mascots, Icons and Spokesbeings, Products, 1930s, Cars
Shadowgraph measures beauty
It's interesting that they always have the contestants stand at a slight angle. You'd think it would be easier to have them stand facing the shadowgraph, in order to standardize the measurements.
Minneapolis Star - July 25, 1939
Chicago Tribune - July 24, 1939
Bristol Daily Courier - July 27, 1939
Posted By: Alex - Fri Oct 20, 2017 -
Comments (4)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, 1930s
Tony Sarg
Tony Sarg, "America's Puppet Master," did some weird stuff, among which were early Macy's Thanksgiving Parade balloons; the cartoon below; and his inflatable beach monster on Nantucket.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Oct 12, 2017 -
Comments (3)
Category: Puppets and Automatons, Cartoons, 1920s, 1930s
Follies of the Madmen #327
Dogs appreciate fresh breath.
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Oct 02, 2017 -
Comments (2)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Hygiene, Dogs, 1930s
House Wrapped in Cellophane
Apparently, Christo had a predecessor.
Source of image.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Sep 28, 2017 -
Comments (3)
Category: Architecture, Domestic, Publicity Stunts, 1930s
Prettiest Waitress and Most Handsome Bellboy Contest
This item in our "Odd Beauty Contest Files" appears to represent a one-time-only competition, held as part of the famed 1939 World's Fair.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Sep 25, 2017 -
Comments (4)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Contests, Races and Other Competitions, 1930s
Malvaz Malt Tonic
Oh, it's not beer, despite coming from Monarch Brewing--it's just a healthy Malt Tonic!As this site says of a similar brand from the same period: "the concoction—actually just simple beer with the addition of honey—was advertised as a 'liquid food' for the treatment of various ailments, from insomnia to 'old age' to 'expectant motherhood.'"
Posted By: Paul - Mon Sep 18, 2017 -
Comments (1)
Category: Advertising, 1930s, Alcohol
Roadside America Miniature Village
Their Wikipedia page.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Sep 15, 2017 -
Comments (0)
Category: Sightseeing, Tourists and Tourism, 1930s
Mystery Illustration 57
This complete kit equips you to...?
Answer is here.
Or after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Thu Sep 14, 2017 -
Comments (8)
Category: Fashion, 1930s
| 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 |