1960s
Lyndon Johnson’s go-to gift
President Lyndon Johnson met with Pope Paul VI on Dec 23, 1967. The two spoke for over an hour and then exchanged gifts. The Pope gave Johnson a sixteenth-century painting of the Nativity. Johnson, in return, gave the Pope a small bust of himself, Lyndon Johnson.
Pope Paul VI admiring the LBJ bust he just received
It struck people at the time (and ever since) as odd for Johnson to give a bust of himself as a gift to the Pope. But, in fact, the Pope wasn't the only recipient of this bust. It was Johnson's go-to gift for just about everyone: world leaders, congressmen, white house aides, etc. He traveled with a box of them, so he would always have one at hand.
The busts were replicas of a lifesize bust created by sculptress Jimilu Mason. In case you'd like to give one as a gift, they're available for purchase from the Johnson Presidential Library — only $150 each.
More info: Dead Presidents blog
Jimilu Mason poses with her bust of LBJ
Arizona Republic - Jan 14, 1968
Posted By: Alex - Wed Oct 06, 2021 -
Comments (2)
Category: Art, Statues and Monuments, Gifts, Presents, Tributes, and Other Honoraria, 1960s
Suzy Homemaker Is a Square
"She even washes regularly!"
Posted By: Paul - Mon Oct 04, 2021 -
Comments (3)
Category: Domestic, Stereotypes and Cliches, Toys, Children, Bohemians, Beatniks, Hippies and Slackers, 1960s
The Piano-Smashing Fad
The fad of piano smashing reportedly began in 1963 at a technical school in Derby, England, but it quickly spread to American campuses via Caltech, where a "Piano Reduction Study Group" was formed.The goal of piano smashing was "to reduce the piano, in the shortest possible time, to such a state that it may be passed through an aperture of 20 cm. in diameter." This was to be done by a maximum of six people using tools no heavier than 15.4 pounds each.
A record-setting time was achieved by students at Wayne State University who smashed a piano and passed it through a hole in 4 min 51 sec.
I wonder if this college fad was the inspiration for the Destructivist Art Movement, which emerged three years later, and also involved smashing pianos.
Source of images: Life - Mar 8, 1963
Posted By: Alex - Wed Sep 29, 2021 -
Comments (4)
Category: Fads, 1960s, Universities, Colleges, Private Schools and Academia
Wham-O’s Sunvu
It protected your face from the sun... just like a hat. While looking more ridiculous.
image source: flashbak.com
Posted By: Alex - Sun Sep 26, 2021 -
Comments (1)
Category: Headgear, 1960s
Giant Crab, “E.S.P.”
The Wikipedia page.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Sep 22, 2021 -
Comments (4)
Category: Music, Supernatural, Occult, Paranormal, Bohemians, Beatniks, Hippies and Slackers, Psychedelic, 1960s
America Hurrah!
The recent obituary for the playwright Jean-Claude van Itallie brought my attention to his masterwork, America Hurrah. Two caveats:1) The players in these clips appear to be amateurs.
2) You are encountering the parts out of order and incomplete, and might have missed something important.
Nonetheless, after the first clip, let us know when you bail! But wait! Maybe you'll need the second segment to make up your mind.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Sep 18, 2021 -
Comments (0)
Category: Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art, Theater and Stage, 1960s
Killer Tomatoes
My partner grafts tomatoes for our garden. Must caution against this!Source: The Knoxville News-Sentinel (Knoxville, Tennessee) 31 Oct 1963, Thu Page 14
Posted By: Paul - Thu Sep 16, 2021 -
Comments (2)
Category: Family, Food, Psychedelic, 1960s, Goofs and Screw-ups
Pierre Cardin’s Moon Dress
Pierre Cardin unveiled this dress in August 1969, immediately following the first moon landing.It doesn't seem like it would have been possible to sit down while wearing it.
Central New Jersey Home News - Aug 31, 1969
Posted By: Alex - Sun Sep 12, 2021 -
Comments (4)
Category: Fashion, Spaceflight, Astronautics, and Astronomy, 1960s
Follies of the Madmen #515
Either an eensy-teensy chopping block and cleaver, or a very large can of tuna.
Source.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Sep 12, 2021 -
Comments (2)
Category: Business, Advertising, Enlargements, Miniatures, and Other Matters of Scale, Food, Oceans and Maritime Pursuits, 1960s
Carl Casper’s Phone Booth Car
Visit this page to see a modern version.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Aug 27, 2021 -
Comments (0)
Category: Eccentrics, Toys, 1960s, Cars
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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 |