Diseases
Irradiated Milk
This product was not subject to atomic radiation, but rather a different process. In the 1930s, to fight rickets, scientists sought to increase the Vitamin D content in milk through the application of ultraviolet rays.However, as this account relates:
Making matters worse, while experiments showed milk to be an ideal source for getting vitamin D into the diets of American children, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light tended to give fluid milk a foul odor and an off-putting taste. On top of that, any excess heat had the counterproductive effect of destroying the milk’s vitamin A.
But finally, science found a way!
But, of course, for both political and nutritional reasons, finding a way to deliver vitamin D dairy products remained the ultimate prize. After years of testing, Steenbock, Scott and their collaborators finally determined a three-part scheme for fortifying milk. First, dairy cows could be fed with irradiated feed to produce higher levels of vitamin D. Second, industrial machines constructed by companies like Creamery Package Manufacturing and Hanovia Chemical allowed large-scale irradiation of fluids while minimizing the negative effects on taste and smell.12 Third, irradiated ergosterol could be mixed into the final product as a tasteless additive.13
Read the manufacturer's pamphlet here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Oct 07, 2024 -
Comments (2)
Category: Food, Science, Children, 1930s, Diseases
Butt Irrigator
Complete patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Jul 26, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Body, Diseases, Domestic, Hygiene, Inventions, Patents, 1960s
Dior’s “Conspiration” Design
This 1954 number should have been revived for the Covid pandemic.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Dec 10, 2023 -
Comments (1)
Category: Fashion, 1950s, Diseases
Device to Cure Ingrown Toenail
This torture apparatus surely looks to provide worse pain than the malady it purports to cure. A metal hook goes under the toenail itself and yanks it up, whereupon it is strapped into position for permanent wear.Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Nov 08, 2023 -
Comments (4)
Category: Inventions, Patents, 1940s, Diseases, Feet
Follies of the Madmen #575
Who knew a simple cough could prove fatal?
Posted By: Paul - Sat Sep 16, 2023 -
Comments (1)
Category: Death, Advertising, 1960s, Diseases
Stramonium Cigarettes: Smoking to Relieve Asthma
Long professional article on their history here.The relevant info at Wikipedia.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Feb 01, 2022 -
Comments (2)
Category: Nature, Patent Medicines, Nostrums and Snake Oil, Nineteenth Century, Twentieth Century, Diseases
The Cure
Posted By: Paul - Tue Feb 23, 2021 -
Comments (5)
Category: Music, Television, 1960s, Diseases, Love & Romance
Covid Religions
Thanks to Covid, new religions are popping up.In Poland, the "Church of the Healthy Body" was recently founded. Members meet at a fitness club. And in Nottingham, England, members of the newly created Church of the 400 Rabbits gather at the 400 Rabbits tequila bar.
The religions are a longshot strategy by businesses to avoid covid restrictions. Because if they're a church they might be able to stay open, whereas if they're a fitness club or bar they're closed. The Polish fitness club/church has already reported that the local police weren't buying the rebranding.
Posted By: Alex - Thu Dec 17, 2020 -
Comments (4)
Category: Religion, Diseases
Plan a super spread for Thanksgiving
A recent ad from Giant Foods, given a double meaning by Covid. More info: nbc.com
Posted By: Alex - Sat Nov 21, 2020 -
Comments (2)
Category: Advertising, Thanksgiving, Diseases
| Who We Are |
|---|
| 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 |