1930s
The Extraordinary Catalog of Peculiar Inventions
I've just finished reading the fine book about weird fraternal lodge devices from a century ago. It would make a fine gift for any WU-vie.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Dec 10, 2011 -
Comments (5)
Category: Clubs, Fraternities and Other Self-selecting Organizations, Inventions, Books, 1900s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, Pranks, Nineteenth Century
How Norman Bates Got His Start
"Here is my gift to mother."
"For tired businessmen; for the older boys too."
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Dec 05, 2011 -
Comments (2)
Category: Animals, Taxidermy, Hobbies and DIY, 1930s
Mystery Ad
What product is being touted by this curious pronouncement?
Find out here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Dec 01, 2011 -
Comments (6)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, 1930s, Brain
The Cuban Charlie Chan
"La Serpiente Roja" Primera película cubana sonora from Memoria de Cuba on Vimeo.
IMDB tells us: "A detective story which takes place in London, with Chinese investigator Chan Li Po, a very popular character of a Cuban radio series of the 30s and 40s. Written by Félix B. Caignet."
I'd love to see this whole film, based on this campy snippet.
The backstory, in Spanish.
You'll need to run this site through Google Translate.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Nov 30, 2011 -
Comments (2)
Category: Detectives, Private Eyes and Other Investigators, Movies, Stereotypes and Cliches, 1930s, Asia, Caribbean
Johnson Smith Catalog Item #14
In the days before pocket-sized electronic devices, one had to rely on hand-cranked mechanisms such as this. I'd love to hear one!
From the 1930s catalog.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Nov 25, 2011 -
Comments (2)
Category: Annoying Things, Johnson Smith Catalog, 1930s
Strange As It Seems
News of the Weird has several ancestors. One is Strange As It Seems.
Strange as it Seems featured bizarre stories based on cartoons created by John Hix who was a staff artist at the Washington Herald. The comic strip Strange as it Seems was syndicated in American newspapers between 1928 and 1944. Strange as it Seems was comparable to Ripley's Believe It Or Not. Sponsored by Exlax in the 1930s and Palmolive Shave Cream when the show reappeared in 1947-1948.
The brand has recently been revivied, and features a YouTube Channel. Check it out!
Posted By: Paul - Thu Nov 17, 2011 -
Comments (2)
Category: Newspapers, Radio, Weird Studies and Guides, Comics, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s
Johnson Smith Catalog Item #13
The TSA's nightmare!
From the 1930s catalog.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Nov 13, 2011 -
Comments (5)
Category: Johnson Smith Catalog, 1930s, Weapons
Brown Bobby
Get rich quick with triangular donuts!
Explanation here.
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Nov 03, 2011 -
Comments (5)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Technology, Junk Food, Appliances, 1930s
Hollywood Party
Dig those telephone wire costumes!
Posted By: Paul - Mon Oct 24, 2011 -
Comments (3)
Category: Costumes and Masks, Movies, Music, 1930s
Johnson Smith Catalog Item #11
[Click to enlarge]
Do you know why jokes and pranks like these don't fly any more? Because nobody gives a damn about playing their proper role these days. I'm not even going to mention the old lady with impossible neck and sadistic habits. But just look at that hobo! His hat has the classic open-can-lid top. He's wearing a Victoria Cross medal, cravat and vest. Note how carefully he cradles his cane on his arm. Note how delicately he takes the fake biscuit, with pinky finger upraised. The magnificent scowl when he bites the rubber biscuit! You'd consider your twelve cents well spent!
Now imagine giving a "surprise biscuit" to the modern incoherent and sloppily dressed drug addict sitting on the sidewalk outside your local liquor store. He'd be too out-of-it to even register the prank. If he did, he'd just grunt and toss the surprise biscuit one side, frustrating your enjoyment of your purchase.
We live in a sad age of decline.
From the 1930s catalogue.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Oct 22, 2011 -
Comments (3)
Category: Bums, Hobos, Tramps, Beggars, Panhandlers and Other Streetpeople, Food, Johnson Smith Catalog, 1930s, Pranks
| 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 |