1950s
The Z-Man, or Brain, Toy
What was so distinctive about this toy? Early pre-silicon programability.
Original article here.
Even more pix and info at this blog.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Nov 04, 2015 -
Comments (4)
Category: Toys, AI, Robots and Other Automatons, Computers, 1950s
Get rid of that man — he’s a homicidal maniac!
Sounds like Norman White had a good scheme going. I wonder how he got busted.
The Southeast Missourian - July 5, 1955
LONDON — The voice on the phone said: "Get rid of that man White — he's a homicidal maniac." Norman White, 29, lost the job he started only an hour before.
The same thing had happened four times in three weeks. Each time Norman was fired within two hours of starting a new job, and each time he collected a week's pay.
Today he started another new job. This one — sewing mail bags — will last longer. The voice on the phone, a City Court was told Monday, was White himself posing as a police officer. The court gave him eight months in jail for obtaining money by false pretenses.
Posted By: Alex - Mon Nov 02, 2015 -
Comments (3)
Category: Crime, Jobs and Occupations, 1950s
John Q Public, Movie Mogul
Wow, imagine if you had to go thru all this to create a cat video for YouTube!
Posted By: Paul - Fri Oct 30, 2015 -
Comments (3)
Category: Hobbies and DIY, Movies, 1950s
Follies of the Madmen #263
The deodorant that combines the crushing force of Niagara Falls with the brutal chemicals of a municipal water-treatment plant.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Oct 26, 2015 -
Comments (7)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Hygiene, Nature, 1950s
Amusements of Our Forefathers
Both ads here.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Oct 24, 2015 -
Comments (1)
Category: Humor, Tobacco and Smoking, Sex Symbols, 1950s
Please send Library of Congress
Looks like the letter writer forgot to include a stamped and self-addressed envelope.
Lubbock Evening Journal - Apr 3, 1956
Posted By: Alex - Fri Oct 23, 2015 -
Comments (2)
Category: 1950s
Johnson Smith Catalog Item #36
This was featured on page 2 of this romance comic. I leave you to draw your own conclusions.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Oct 19, 2015 -
Comments (4)
Category: Misbehavior, Rebellion, Acting-out and General Naughtiness, Comics, Sex Toys, 1950s
Westinghouse Soundwaves
It's been 65 years! Where is my home version of an ultrasonic washing machine, dammit!
Posted By: Paul - Fri Oct 16, 2015 -
Comments (10)
Category: Domestic, Technology, 1950s
Kurvon Breast Enhancement Pills
[Click to enlarge--ha!]
There's a great story behind this pill, wherein an ex-employee tried to rip off the formula and sell it as "Charm-on." Read it here.
Did you know breast-boosting pills are still for sale?
Original ad scanned from this magazine:
Posted By: Paul - Tue Oct 13, 2015 -
Comments (8)
Category: Body Modifications, Lawsuits, 1950s
The Hideous Sun Demon
Posted By: Paul - Mon Oct 05, 2015 -
Comments (4)
Category: Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art, Movies, Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, 1950s, Fictional Monsters
| 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 |