The Violaeol

Original article here.

In 1935, one Alfred Grosjean (as named in a separate TIME magazine article) invented the "violaeol."

Some years later, luthier Josh Rieck recreated one for his own use.

Posted By: Paul - Sat Sep 26, 2015 - Comments (2)
Category: Inventions, Music, 1930s

The Stout Scarab

The 1936 Stout Scarab is referred to by some as the first minivan. Its definitely one cool car!

Posted By: Alex - Fri Sep 25, 2015 - Comments (4)
Category: Design and Designers, 1930s, Cars, Yesterday’s Tomorrows

Turnabout Man

The moral is: don't suppress your road rage, it's not healthy!

Posted By: Paul - Sun Aug 30, 2015 - Comments (3)
Category: Etiquette and Formal Behavior, PSA’s, 1930s, Cars

Sew on the Go!

Original article here.

Posted By: Paul - Sat Aug 22, 2015 - Comments (6)
Category: Bicycles and Other Human-powered Vehicles, Family, Chindogu, 1930s

The Tri-Car

[Click to enlarge]

Original article here.

This odd little auto actually made it into limited production.

Full history here.

Posted By: Paul - Thu Aug 20, 2015 - Comments (5)
Category: Eccentrics, 1930s, 1950s, Cars

The Dare Killer, 1933

Oscar Hickey, Hazel Short, Vernon Tucker, and Maxine Scott had all been at a dance, after which they drove home together. This involved a lot of drinking and some gun play in which they were "amusing themselves by playing with a revolver, firing occasional shots as they sped along the concrete slab."

While stopping at a gas station, Tucker and Scott got out to get some cigarettes. There was a gun shot. Tucker and Scott rushed back to the car and found Hickey dead. Hazel Short was still holding the gun with which she had just shot him. Her strange explanation: "He dared me to shoot him, and I did."

Short became known as the "Dare Killer." She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to serve one to 14 years in prison. She was released on parole after three-and-a-half years. I haven't been able to find any info on what happened to her subsequently.

I guess the lesson of the case is that it's not a good idea to dare someone to shoot you, especially if they've been drinking.

Posted By: Alex - Sun Aug 16, 2015 - Comments (3)
Category: 1930s

Redneck Wedding, 1936

Jacob Zimmer, when asked why he and his son Donald were having a joint wedding to a pair of sisters (Grace and Dorothy Tripp), offered this explanation:


Doesn't get much more redneck than that.

Estherville Enterprise - Dec 17, 1936

The Zanesville Signal - Nov 22, 1936

Posted By: Alex - Mon Aug 10, 2015 - Comments (4)
Category: Weddings and Marriage, 1930s

Follies of the Madmen #255

[Click upper and/or lower half of ad to enlarge]

Who knew that fresh coffee promoted dancing?

Original ad here.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Jul 27, 2015 - Comments (8)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Coffee and other Legal Stimulants, 1930s

Old Quaker Booze

Once upon a time, thanks to Schenley liquors, you could get as wasted as old Ben Franklin (note: not a Quaker, just partied with them), in the manner of this Curly-Howard-lookalike above. Then you'd be "feeling your Quaker Oats."

Original ad here.

Posted By: Paul - Sat Jul 25, 2015 - Comments (1)
Category: History, Historical Figure, Corporate Mascots, Icons and Spokesbeings, 1930s, Alcohol

Give a Party for the Party!

A 1930s party-planning manual for members of the American Communist Party, downloadable as a PDF here. Let's just say, those guys knew how to throw a cheap party.

More info from a 2003 article in the NY Times:


Also, advertise "All the free beer you can drink!" but charge expensive admission at the door ("Yes, people will pay!"). And then:

Posted By: Alex - Thu Jul 23, 2015 - Comments (2)
Category: Games, Politics, 1930s