Smog Helmet

Posted By: Paul - Sat Nov 23, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Inventions, 1950s, United Kingdom

Sound Patterns

Who was the market for this?

Posted By: Paul - Fri Nov 15, 2024 - Comments (3)
Category: Vinyl Albums and Other Media Recordings, 1950s, Cacophony, Dissonance, White Noise and Other Sonic Assaults

Refrigerator Bowl Queen

Jacksonville State College gamecock football team played against the University of Rhode Island on December 4, 1955 in the eighth annual Refrigerator Bowl at Evansville, Indiana. Gamecocks won 12 to 10. Shown players from the University of Rhode Island and Jacksonville State select a Refrigerator Bowl Queen.

Posted By: Paul - Sat Nov 09, 2024 - Comments (4)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Sports, Appliances, 1950s

California Dairy Princesses

The selection of Dairy Princesses continues to this day.

California Dairy Princesses serve as industry advocates in their home district and throughout the state, supporting the reputation of milk and dairy products through appearances at various events. Dairy Princesses and alternates participate in a mandatory orientation/training where they receive professional development coaching.
The California Dairy Princess Program has been in effect since 1958. Currently seven districts hold local contests, which represent 48 counties in the state of California. The California Dairy Princess contest is supported by California dairy producers through the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB).

A good article here.

California Dairy Princess at the Sonoma County Fair, Santa Rosa, California, July 21, 1958

Posted By: Paul - Fri Nov 01, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Agriculture, Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Regionalism, Cows, 1950s

Louvered Sunglasses

Wouldn't you look chic wearing these? And no more viewing the world through "rose-colored glasses."

Original patent here.

Posted By: Paul - Fri Oct 25, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Inventions, Patents, 1950s, Eyes and Vision

The Thousand Egg Club

Do you eat at least 1000 eggs a year? If so, you're a member of the 'Thousand Egg Club.'

The club was created by the National Poultry and Egg Board in 1957. Several political figures who swore to eat 1000 eggs a year were given certificates of memberships. But as far as I know, the general public couldn't send away for a certificate.

I usually eat two eggs for breakfast every day. But I doubt I eat enough eggs in addition to that to reach 1000.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle - Mar 27, 1957

Glen Falls Post-Star - July 31, 1959

Posted By: Alex - Wed Oct 02, 2024 - Comments (2)
Category: Clubs, Fraternities and Other Self-selecting Organizations, Eggs, 1950s

Miss Furniture

She won $2000 worth of furniture. In today's money that's almost $25,000. That's a decent amount of furniture.

Pottstown Mercury - Aug 16, 1954

Allentown Morning Call - Aug 23, 1954

Posted By: Alex - Tue Oct 01, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Furniture, 1950s

Clamp for Male Urinary Incontinence

I think you could substitute something like this from the hardware store.

Full patent here.

Posted By: Paul - Sun Sep 29, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Hygiene, Technology, 1950s, Men

The League of Honest Coffee Lovers

The Pan-American Coffee Bureau was a marketing organization that represented coffee growers from Central and South America. In 1959, it created and promoted the "League of Honest Coffee Lovers." This was a pseudo-grassroots league of Americans rallying to demand stronger coffee.

Apparently American coffee had been getting weaker and weaker. In 1950 it was common for restaurants to brew 46 cups from a pound of coffee. By 1959, by adding more water, they were getting 64 cups from a pound. The Pan-American Coffee Bureau wanted to stop this trend.

The League of Honest Coffee Lovers was, itself, just a flash in the pan. But the Pan-American Coffee Bureau had a huge influence on American coffee culture. It's credited with creating the term "coffee break" and getting lots of people to take them. It popularized the year-round drinking of iced coffee. And ultimately it did get Americans drinking stronger coffee.

More info: Lens Coffee

Life - Jan 11, 1960

Those who agreed with the goals of the League of Honest Coffee Lovers could send away and get a certificate of membership.

Posted By: Alex - Sat Sep 28, 2024 - Comments (4)
Category: Clubs, Fraternities and Other Self-selecting Organizations, Advertising, Coffee and other Legal Stimulants, 1950s

Listen Well, Learn Well

Posted By: Paul - Sat Sep 28, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Education, Noises and Other Public Disturbances of the Peace, 1950s