Hippieland

This particular kind of alarmist article seems to have no current analogue.

Posted By: Paul - Wed Sep 13, 2017 - Comments (6)
Category: Teenagers, Bohemians, Beatniks, Hippies and Slackers, 1960s

Showgirls With Hiccups

Posted By: Paul - Tue Sep 12, 2017 - Comments (4)
Category: Health, 1960s, Screams, Grunts and Other Exclamations

Armless Driver Fights Loss of License

Ray Myers was known as the 'armless musician.' He was born in 1911 without arms, but he taught himself to play the guitar with his feet, and he became quite accomplished. Good enough that he was considered to be talented in his own right, not just as a curiosity.



Myers also taught himself how to drive a car using only his feet. Not a specially outfitted car. Just a normal one. (Though I'm assuming it was an automatic.) But in 1965, after driving without incident for 29 years, he lost his license. The reason: the state's new computer flagged his license to be revoked when it came across the notation in his file that he had been "born without arms."

Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Jan 18, 1965

Myers appealed the decision, and (probably thanks to all the media attention the case got) was allowed to take a special exam. Two weeks later he was driving again.

Sayre Evening Times - Jan 28, 1965

Myers died in 1987 at the age of 75. More info about him at missioncreep.com and Arcane Radio Trivia.

Posted By: Alex - Thu Sep 07, 2017 - Comments (7)
Category: Human Marvels, 1960s, Cars

“Yogi” by The Ivy Three

Posted By: Paul - Tue Sep 05, 2017 - Comments (0)
Category: Humor, Music, Cartoons, 1960s

Instant Establishment Wig

Created in 1969 by Bob Woodford, for when longhairs temporarily needed to blend in with the collective, corporate establishment.

But I think those sideburns are still a giveaway.

Binghamtom Press and Sun Bulletin - Aug 25, 1969

Posted By: Alex - Mon Aug 28, 2017 - Comments (4)
Category: Headgear, 1960s, Hair and Hairstyling

Mystery Illustration 55

Who? What? When? Why? Huh?

The answer is here.



And after the jump.

More in extended >>

Posted By: Paul - Thu Aug 24, 2017 - Comments (4)
Category: Costumes and Masks, 1960s

Art Arfons and the Green Monster

Love that rocketship design!

Posted By: Paul - Fri Aug 18, 2017 - Comments (1)
Category: Contests, Races and Other Competitions, 1960s, Cars

Italian Caveman Rock ‘n’ Roll

Posted By: Paul - Thu Aug 17, 2017 - Comments (1)
Category: Movies, Music, 1960s

Infraphone

The Infraphone, invented by Douglas Reddan circa 1960, used infrared light to allow people to communicate wirelessly at distances of several hundred yards. You had to aim your infraphone at another infraphone, which you did by looking through a sight on top of the unit. Then you could talk into the device, just like using a phone.

It's an interesting idea, but I can't really think of a situation when this would provide an advantage over using a radio walkie talkie. Maybe because the signal can't be intercepted as easily? But then there's the awkwardness of having to aim the device. Articles about it frequently suggested it could be used as a wireless intercom.

Eugene Guard - Nov 14, 1960

Palm Beach Post - June 4, 1961

Popular electronics - Feb 1961 (via RF Cafe)

Posted By: Alex - Sat Aug 12, 2017 - Comments (3)
Category: Inventions, Telephones, 1960s

The Beachcomber Bar, UK

Anglo Hula: less is not more.

Posted By: Paul - Fri Aug 11, 2017 - Comments (4)
Category: Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art, 1960s, Dance, Parody, Europe, South Pacific