Mothers Against Potholes

Back in 1982, a group of mothers in the Detroit area got tired of the local government not doing enough to tackle the problem of potholes. So they started repairing the roads themselves, calling themselves the Mothers Against Potholes. It was a noble effort, but I'm not sure that, in the end, their efforts really made that much difference.

Posted By: Alex - Tue Mar 10, 2015 - Comments (6)
Category: 1980s

Ken Carter, The Mad Canadian

The Mad Canadian by Robert Fortier, National Film Board of Canada

Life ended as you might have expected for Ken Carter.

Posted By: Paul - Sun Mar 08, 2015 - Comments (7)
Category: Daredevils, Stuntpeople and Thrillseekers, 1980s, Cars

Drive-In Opera

Back in 1989, the Norwegian National Opera staged the world's first (and only?) "drive-in opera" with a performance of the Barber of Seville broadcast live on a 225-square-foot movie screen in downtown Oslo. The idea was that people could watch the performance from their cars. This was supposed to be a way to bring opera to the masses, to let people know that "opera can be fun."

However, the event didn't go quite as planned since the Norwegian audience wasn't quite clear on the "drive-in" concept. Most of them showed up on foot. And many of the cars that did show up parked facing away from the screen. More info at AP News Archive.

Posted By: Alex - Sun Feb 22, 2015 - Comments (7)
Category: Music, Theater and Stage, 1980s

Mt. Rainier Practical Joke

A most excellent prank.

Original article here.

Posted By: Paul - Thu Jan 29, 2015 - Comments (4)
Category: Husbands, Wives, 1980s, Pranks

Butterick Tweety Sewing Pattern

Several currently for sale on Etsy and eBay.

Thanks to Deborah Newton.

Posted By: Paul - Sat Dec 13, 2014 - Comments (8)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Costumes and Masks, Horror, Reader Recommendation, Cartoons, 1980s

Christmas Comes to PacLand

One of those essential holiday treats!

Posted By: Paul - Mon Dec 08, 2014 - Comments (3)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Holidays, Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art, Cartoons, 1980s, Videogames and Gamers

Expensive Fish Meal

[Click to enlarge]

Original article here.

Posted By: Paul - Sun Nov 09, 2014 - Comments (2)
Category: Food, Stupid Criminals, Fish, 1980s

The dog-hair yarn business

Back in the 1980s, Betty Burlan Burian Kirk got the idea of starting a business spinning dog-hair yarn. Her clients were people who "want to wear something from their dog." She said it was "becoming more and more popular."


Has the trend of "wearing your pet" continued to grow in popularity since the 80s? Well, here at WU we've posted before about people who wear dog-fur sweaters. So maybe it is a popular thing.

And though Betty Burlan Burian Kirk no longer seems to be in business, a quick google search pulls up plenty of places (such as here) that'll spin your dog's fur into yarn for you, if that's what floats your boat.

Update: So her middle name is "Burian", not "Burlan". And she's still in business. Her website, bbkirk.com, offers plenty of info on dog hair — how to collect it, wash it, pricing, etc. Plus, she has a Gallery of Dog Hair Items.

Posted By: Alex - Sun Nov 02, 2014 - Comments (9)
Category: Fashion, Dogs, 1980s

Tarzan of the Canines

Original page here.

Do we dare to believe this Weekly World News article? Well, the case was reported a year prior in a reputable newspaper.

Posted By: Paul - Wed Oct 22, 2014 - Comments (6)
Category: Bad Habits, Neuroses and Psychoses, Children, Parents, Dogs, 1980s

Empty Tank, Empty Head

Original article here.

Her obituary, curiously enough, makes no mention of this brush with fame.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Oct 13, 2014 - Comments (3)
Category: Education, 1980s, Cars, Brain Damage