1940s
Alfred, Meet Jimmy
Recent scholarship has traced the roots of Mad magazine's Alfred E. Newman back to the nineteenth century. But I don't believe anyone has ever before noted his resemblance to this animated version of Superman's pal Jimmy Olsen, as seen in the 1942 Superman cartoon "Showdown," embedded above.
How fitting that today both Jimmy and Alfred are owned by the same company, Warner Bros.!
Posted By: Paul - Mon Jan 14, 2013 -
Comments (7)
Category: Humor, Magazines, Twins, Lookalikes & Doppelgangers, Comics, 1940s, Nineteenth Century
What cigarette would your doctor recommend?
An ad campaign for Camels from the mid 1940s. The Stanford Research into the Impact of Tobacco Advertising site (where I found them) notes:
Posted By: Alex - Thu Jan 10, 2013 -
Comments (11)
Category: Addictions, Advertising, 1940s
Japanese Skull War Trophy
[Click this text to enlarge.]
Original picture here.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Jan 05, 2013 -
Comments (10)
Category: War, 1940s, Asia, Skulls, Bones and Skeletons, Love & Romance
Patrick O’Connor, Wrestler and Artist
There aren't that many people who seriously pursue art and wrestling at the same time, but Patrick O'Connor was one of them. Back in the 1940s, he was heavyweight wrestling champion of Ireland, but also had a Greenwich Village art studio. He was an artist of the "conservative Realist and Romantic school." Apparently he viewed art as his true passion. Wrestling was just a way to make money. From The Evening Independent, Sep. 9, 1944:Unfortunately I haven't been able to find any examples of his art, except for the ones that can be seen behind him in the pictures below. O'Connor is the one with the beard. The pictures were taken in his art studio.
Posted By: Alex - Wed Jan 02, 2013 -
Comments (3)
Category: Art, Sports, Wrestling, 1940s
Garlic Fog Invades Los Angeles, 1949
Back in late 1949, people throughout Los Angeles County reported a strong odor that smelled like garlic. The smell persisted for weeks, periodically increasing in intensity. Some residents took to wearing gas masks. There were reports of the fumes being so strong that they discolored fences and buildings. There was a widespred fear that it was a poison gas attack.Despite a lot of speculation, I'm not sure that the source of the mystery odor was ever identified, although leading theories were that it was either coming from the Los Angeles River bed, or from a chemical factory. It became known as the invasion of the Garlic Fog. [Sydney Morning Herald, Aug 7, 1949] (via Buried Words and Bushwa)
Posted By: Alex - Fri Dec 14, 2012 -
Comments (6)
Category: Unsolved Mysteries, 1940s, Weather
Test Tube Babies
Intrigued by the trailer?
Watch the whole film below!
Posted By: Paul - Sun Oct 28, 2012 -
Comments (3)
Category: Family, Babies and Toddlers, Movies, Sexuality, 1940s, Pregnancy
Mystery Gadget 13
What could these masks be for? Find out here.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Oct 27, 2012 -
Comments (7)
Category: Technology, 1940s
Pedestrian Crossing
Our simpleton from "Coughs and Sneezes" returns.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Oct 25, 2012 -
Comments (4)
Category: Motor Vehicles, PSA’s, Urban Life, 1940s
Follies of the Mad Men #192
I wish Mr. Indigo Blue and Mr. Beamish Bright had become as popular as Goofus and Gallant. What adventures they could have had while conquering constipation!
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Oct 24, 2012 -
Comments (4)
Category: Bathrooms, Body, Business, Advertising, Products, Food, Stereotypes and Cliches, 1940s
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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 |