Category:
1960s

Stripping Striker, 1964

The artists' models at Rome's Academy of Fine Arts... sent their negotiator, Anna di Vetta, out onto the streets to press their claims. In girdle, bra, and high heels, Anna paraded through the city with a sign promising complete exposure of her 40½-31-40½ figure if her union's demands were not met. Instead of bravely meeting the challenge, the combined ministries of Labor and Public Instruction crumbled. They promised a fixed salary of $150 a month and fringe benefits—but only, reported a triumphant Anna, "if I promised not to take off all my clothes."


Source: Newsweek - Dec 28, 1964

Posted By: Alex - Tue Jul 21, 2015 - Comments (5)
Category: Riots, Protests and Civil Disobedience, 1960s

Studio Girl Cosmetics

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Original ad here.

Everyone knows Avon and Mary Kay. But few recall "Studio Girl Cosmetics," although they endured for decades.

Here's a site dedicated to their memory, maintained by a descendant of the founder.

What I find most intriguing is that they appeared to have had a sideline of vinyl albums as well. Music to paint your face by?

image

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Posted By: Paul - Sat Jul 18, 2015 - Comments (9)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Perfume and Other Scents, 1960s

Bad Driver Batman

When the Batman TV series first aired in 1966, not everyone was happy with it. The Automobile Legal Association issued a press release listing the various traffic violations that Batman was guilty of and denouncing him as a "vicious example" for youth. His violations included: U-turns in the middle of busy streets, crashing through safety barriers, crossing highway white line safety markers, parking illegally, speeding, and failing to signal even a single turn.

They didn't mention using parachutes to turn around the Batmobile at high speeds (which I'm sure can't be legal), or having "Bat Ray" weapons installed on the vehicle.


Tyrone Daily Herald - Mar 21, 1966


Posted By: Alex - Thu Jul 16, 2015 - Comments (10)
Category: 1960s, Cars

Death at the Cathedral, 1964

October 2, 1964: One minute Veronica McConnell, 22, was happy and carefree. The young American woman had just arrived in Paris the night before on vacation and was visiting Notre Dame Cathedral. It was the first stop on the city bus tour.

After seeing the inside of the cathedral, she stopped to buy some candles at a stand in the plaza. Having made her purchase, she began walking back towards the tour group. The next second she was dead, killed by suicide jumper Denise Rey-Herme, 37, who had leapt off the cathedral's north tower. Rey-Herme was despondent, having learned that because of chronic ill health she would never achieve her ambition of becoming a nun.

Goes to show that death can strike at any moment, anywhere.

Note: there's some confusion about McConnell's age. Different accounts of the event list it as either 21, 22, or 24. The NY Times says she was 22, so I'm trusting they were right.

Veronica McConnell


The Odessa American - Oct 4, 1964


The Terre Haute Tribune - Oct 3, 1964

Posted By: Alex - Sun Jul 12, 2015 - Comments (3)
Category: Death, Nuns, 1960s

Wife plugged in to alarm clock

Sounds to me like Anna Hindman had good cause for wanting to divorce her husband, namely a) his belief that 4 hours sleep is all anyone needs, and b) wiring her bed to shock her every 4 hours to prevent her from sleeping longer than that.

But according to the news reports, she eventually forgave him and withdrew her divorce petition — after he got rid of the "shocking machine." And it sounds like they remained married for the rest of their lives... if the Anna Hindman in this obituary is the same person (which it must be, because all the names/dates match up).

Anna Louise Hindman, 74, of Rogersville passed away Thursday, September 13, 2012 in Springfield. Anna was born on July 8, 1938 in Springfield to Eulan and Olive (Turner) Bussard. She was married to Michael J. Hindman on July 17, 1953 and he preceded her in death on December 15, 2004. She was an accomplished roller skater, both figure and racing and performed for President Truman. She had her pilots license and enjoyed flying and riding motorcycles with her husband.




Sources: Kansas City Times: Feb 27, 1960; Mar 10, 1960.

Posted By: Alex - Fri Jul 10, 2015 - Comments (5)
Category: Husbands, Wives, Divorce, Marriage, 1960s

Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich



I thought I knew the music of my youth pretty well, but I can't recall ever hearing of these guys with the weird band name, till just now reading the obituary of one member.

The jaunty surrealism in this video holds up pretty well, as does the music.

"Between 1965 and 1969, the group spent more weeks in the UK singles charts than the Beatles."

Where was I?!?

Posted By: Paul - Fri Jul 10, 2015 - Comments (9)
Category: Music, 1960s, Europe

Paddle Pops



More proof that everything is upside-down in Australia, as good old Popsicles become Paddle Pops.

Also, as in our previous entry on Gaytime Raspberry Roughs, I could easily imagine someone getting more than they bargained for when they requested a "paddle pop," especially if you went into a sketchy corner grocery store and asked for the flavor known as "dragon popper" and got some amyl nitrate instead.

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Posted By: Paul - Wed Jul 01, 2015 - Comments (7)
Category: Advertising, Corporate Mascots, Icons and Spokesbeings, Junk Food, 1960s, Australia

Follies of the Madmen #252

Posted By: Paul - Sun Jun 28, 2015 - Comments (0)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Comics, Junk Food, 1960s, Parody

50 guys in one bed

May 15, 1964: the students of Wakefield College in England attempted to set a record for the most people piled in one bed. They were hoping to make it to 50, but when they got to around 47 things started to go wrong. Frazer Cartwright, who was on the bottom, gasped, "Get off... quick... I'm..." Then blood began gushing from his nose, and he passed out. Luckily the audience intervened before he wound up dead. Cartwright vowed never to repeat that experience again.





Sources: The Terre Haute Tribune - May 16, 1964; Tuscaloosa News - May 15, 1964.

Posted By: Alex - Sat Jun 27, 2015 - Comments (5)
Category: Fads, World Records, 1960s

Happy Birthday Patty

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Everyone wish our Patty a Happy 51st old lady birthday !!

Posted By: BrokeDad - Tue Jun 23, 2015 - Comments (7)
Category: Holidays, 1960s

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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.

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