1940s
Unfortunate Contextual Slang Usage
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jun 14, 2012 -
Comments (3)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Underwear, 1940s, LGBT, Men
Early Example of Godwin’s Law
When stumped for a putdown regarding body odor, you can always invoke Hitler.
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jun 07, 2012 -
Comments (4)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Dictators, Tyrants and Other Harsh Rulers, Hygiene, 1940s
Judd Harris, Gravedigger
Shown is Judd Harris, the gravedigger in Cordova, Alaska circa 1940. He became a gravedigger because it was more certain work than prospecting for gold, though not easier because of the rock and frozen ground. He made $15 to $18 a grave, but averaged only eighteen graves a year... "and some bad years there are hardly a dozen."
You can read about Judd Harris and other Alaskan characters of the mid-twentieth century in Harry Franck's The Lure of Alaska
.
Posted By: Alex - Fri May 25, 2012 -
Comments (2)
Category: Jobs and Occupations, 1940s
Follies of the Mad Men #182
"World War II was won by superior American staples. We're not saying that just because we make and sell them."
The personal bonus: Bostitch is a company from my home state of Rhode Island.
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon May 14, 2012 -
Comments (5)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Engineering and Construction, Technology, War, 1940s
Jughead Licks An Old Man Wearing Ice Cream
[Click to enlarge]
Forever will the image of Jughead licking icecream off the head of Pop Tate haunt your every waking moment.
But if that's not enough old-school Archie weirdness for you, please click the link and purchase the newest volume of the Archie Archives.
Posted By: Paul - Fri May 11, 2012 -
Comments (2)
Category: Food, Comics, 1940s, Eating, Goofs and Screw-ups
The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Deaths
Once upon a time, there was a kindly old lady who specialized in creating gruesome murder dioramas. Her name was Frances Glessner Lee, and her little scenes went on to educate criminologists for decades.
Follow the link for a whole book about her.
Posted By: Paul - Tue May 08, 2012 -
Comments (8)
Category: Crime, Death, Eccentrics, Education, Toys, 1940s, 1950s
Slimming Down the Old Way
All women have to do to slim down is SHAKE IT!Or.... is there a more sinister reason for all these machines?
Posted By: Expat47 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 -
Comments (5)
Category: 1940s, Women
Stop That Tank!
Disney creates terrorist training films! I'm sure al-Qaeda is watching this to learn how to stymie our forces in Afghanistan.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Apr 16, 2012 -
Comments (6)
Category: PSA’s, War, Armed Forces, Weapons, Cartoons, 1940s
Most Televised Girl in America
Was the rightful bearer of this distinction Rita Morley?
Or was it Sue Read?
Morley's claim is better documented. I can't really learn much about Read other than this:
Anyhow, who could rightfully claim the title today?
Posted By: Paul - Fri Apr 13, 2012 -
Comments (10)
Category: Celebrities, Television, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s
Pay Phones
What was once normal and not-weird becomes weird with the simple addition of that magical ingredient, "time."
Imagine an era when NYC had "tens of thousands" of payphones!
The other two segments of this video are less strange, but still worth watching.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Apr 06, 2012 -
Comments (12)
Category: Communications, Money, Technology, 1940s, 1950s
| 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 |