1950s
Hands-Free Umbrella
A 1953 invention:
And its descendant in 2005:
Posted By: Alex - Sat Jan 04, 2014 -
Comments (5)
Category: Inventions, 1950s
Hangman’s Tree Cafe
An article from the Reading Eagle (Oct 27, 1954) explains what this place was:
Many of the items on the menu carry special notations, to wit:
Top sirloin steak, $3.15. Not the usual "mule hide" but finest aged beef.
Chicken fry steak, $1.85. Oh, no, it ain't chicken; it's a beat up cow.
Lamb chops, $2.75. Mary lost it, we found it, you can have it.
Chef's salad, $1. Yeah, we know, every restaurant has a chef salad, but they ain't got our chef.
Caeser salad, 80 cents. The chef will hate you for ordering it, but go ahead and gamble.
On top of the wine list is this announcement: "Seasoning for the town's most tasteless food."
These additional notes are carried inside the menu:
"Don't be a glutton. Leave a little on the plate. Remember, all leftovers are used in our Sunday hash."
"Warning! Well done steaks at your own risk."
On the cover it says: "Lousy food. Warm beer and cocktails. Sneering service."
It's a really good place, Jim writes. But, it seems, everyone in California likes humor with their meals. They must have something to laugh at since the smog keeps the citizens rather gloomy.
Posted By: Alex - Sat Dec 28, 2013 -
Comments (5)
Category: Restaurants, 1950s
LONGINES CHRONOSCOPE: UFOs
A show on space exploration and UFOs, from the1950s, when such things seemed very weird indeed.
It's amazing to see what they get right, and what they get wrong. "Space telescope? Nah, never happen!"
Posted By: Paul - Fri Dec 27, 2013 -
Comments (9)
Category: Science, Television, 1950s
Cigarette Karaoke
Plus, millions of free cigarettes for our hospitalized fighting men!
Posted By: Paul - Thu Dec 26, 2013 -
Comments (14)
Category: Addictions, Business, Advertising, Hospitals, Television, Smoking and Tobacco, 1950s
Dry-Tabs
As you might suspect, these pills eventually met with Federal displeasure.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Dec 23, 2013 -
Comments (4)
Category: Bathrooms, Body, Medicine, Advertising, Body Fluids, 1950s
Happy Hotpoint
Even eventual superstars had to start somewhere.
At the age of 17, Mary Tyler Moore aspired to be a dancer. She started her career as "Happy Hotpoint", a tiny elf dancing on Hotpoint appliances in TV commercials during the 1950s series Ozzie and Harriet.[9] She appeared in 39 TV commercials in five days, ultimately earning about $6,000 from her first job.[10] Her time as "Happy Hotpoint" ended when it became difficult to conceal her pregnancy in the dancing elf costume.[9]
Posted By: Paul - Sun Dec 22, 2013 -
Comments (5)
Category: Celebrities, Advertising, Appliances, 1950s, Dance
East German Rally, 1950
"Rally posters contrast U.S. girl wrestlers with pure and healthful communistic sports."I wonder how many people at this rally were thinking that the U.S. girl wrestling looks a lot more fun.
Posted By: Alex - Fri Dec 20, 2013 -
Comments (6)
Category: Sports, Wrestling, 1950s
Man Stabbed with a Sword!
Read more here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Dec 16, 2013 -
Comments (2)
Category: Body Modifications, Human Marvels, 1940s, 1950s, Pain, Self-inflicted and Otherwise
The Innocent Party
Good girls get VD too!
Posted By: Paul - Sat Dec 14, 2013 -
Comments (2)
Category: Hygiene, PSA’s, Sexuality, Teenagers, 1950s
Follies of the Madmen #213
"Three out of four furries choose our suits!"
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Dec 06, 2013 -
Comments (5)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Business, Advertising, Products, Fashion, 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 |