1950s
LaVere Redfield, the Silver Dollar King
One of history's more-eccentric rich guys.
Brief essay here.
An outstanding incident from his life.
Source of article.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Aug 30, 2017 -
Comments (1)
Category: Eccentrics, Money, 1950s
More Potato Chip Queens
Inspired by Paul's post yesterday about the Potato Chip Queen contest, I did some research over at newspapers.com (subscription required) and came up with what I believe is a complete list of the Potato Chip Queens from 1946 to 1956, except for 1947 for which year I can't find any info. Perhaps there was no queen that year. After 1956 the contest seems to have transitioned into a Miss Teen Potato Chip contest. So, not quite the same.Based on what I found, Nikki Geer was awarded the crown in 1946, but Paul found info indicating it was given to Dorothea Fagnano. Since Dorothea was only 15, I'm guessing she must have been given some kind of teen version of the crown.
Also, In 1952 the crown was given to a chipmunk ("Miss Potato Chip-munk").
Finally, the Potato Chip Queen for 1953, Joan Gehan (aka UN-KA-PU-CHI), was so popular that the next year they promoted her to "Miss Potato Chip of the Century."
1946: Nikki Geer
Shickshinny Mountain Echo - Nov 8, 1946
1948: Joan Smith
Opelousas Daily World - Feb 12, 1948
1949: Patricia Hunter
Zanesville Times Recorder - Jan 29, 1949
Edit: Found a picture of Pat Hunter's potato chip photoshoot in Life - Feb 28, 1949.
1950: Peggy Sharpe
Honolulu Star-Advertiser - Mar 19, 1950
1951: Edie Pike
Honolulu Star-Advertiser - Mar 4, 1951
1952: Miss Potato Chip-munk (with maid-in-waiting Ronda Sherwood)
Marengo Republican News - Feb 7, 1952
1953: Joan Gehan — promoted to "Miss Potato Chip of the Century" in 1954
Image via TOGACHIPGUY.com
Pittsburgh Press - Jan 28, 1954
1955: Ruth Burkhart
Kingsport Times-News - Mar 6, 1955
1956: Elaine Kuntz
Louisville Courier-Journal - Jan 29, 1956
Update: a better picture of the 1956 winner, Elaine Kuntz. (via Pinterest)
Posted By: Alex - Wed Aug 23, 2017 -
Comments (5)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Junk Food, 1940s, 1950s
National Potato Chip Queen
The first Potato Chip Queen apparently was nominated in 1946.
The next gal I can find won in 1949. The caption also introduces the irreplaceable term "spud wafers," which I intend to use from now on.
Source.
Here is a pic from their 1948 convention.
I find evidence the NPCI existed as late as 1957.
But as for Potato Chip Queens after 1949, no luck. I think the NPCI is also defunct.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Aug 22, 2017 -
Comments (3)
Category: Contests, Races and Other Competitions, Conventions, Junk Food, 1940s, 1950s
Supergeared Bicycle
Are supergeared bicycles that will ride at super fast speeds an actual thing? Or did this guy just build a complicated derailleur system?
News Herald - Oct 5, 1953
Another better quality image from Popular Mechanics (July 1954).
Posted By: Alex - Tue Aug 15, 2017 -
Comments (3)
Category: Bicycles and Other Human-powered Vehicles, 1950s
Follies of the Madmen #322
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Aug 04, 2017 -
Comments (3)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Excess, Overkill, Hyperbole and Too Much Is Not Enough, Fashion, 1950s
Fill ‘Er Up—and De-ice the Wings!
Source.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Aug 03, 2017 -
Comments (1)
Category: Air Travel and Airlines, 1950s
Yanks in the UK
This makes Brexit all the more mandatory!
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jul 27, 2017 -
Comments (6)
Category: Antisocial Activities, Culture and Civilization, Family, Sexuality, Foreign Customs, 1950s, Europe, North America
Einstein’s Brain Waves
Sep 1950: Dr. Alejandro Arellano of Massachusetts General Hospital took readings of Einstein's brain waves while Einstein was thinking about his theory of relativity (special or general? It doesn't say), and while he was resting. It was noted that the zigs were quite different than the zags while Einstein was thinking of his theory. Based on this finding, it was hoped that in the future it might be possible to identify geniuses by their brain waves.
Pittsburgh Press - Feb 11, 1951
Los Angeles Times - Feb 24, 1951
Posted By: Alex - Wed Jul 26, 2017 -
Comments (7)
Category: 1950s, Brain
Follies of the Madmen #321
"Dead people like our beer."
From the American Legion magazine for May 1952.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Jul 25, 2017 -
Comments (5)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Horror, 1950s, Alcohol
Paul Whiteman’s TV Teen Club
Imagine someone like Paul Whiteman being a teen idol or mentor these days.
More info here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Jul 24, 2017 -
Comments (2)
Category: Music, Television, Teenagers, 1950s
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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 |