Food
Toast as a unit of power
Odd units of measurement: Back in 1975, Allan Clemow of Tufts University figured out how to translate power consumption into pieces of toast. By his estimate, one kilowatt hour was equivalent to toasting 60 slices of bread. Therefore:- Ironing for an hour = 68 slices of toast
- Watching TV for 4 hours = 100 slices of toast
- Blow-drying your hair for 10 minutes = 4 slices of toast
- Drying a large load of clothes = 270 slices of toast
These estimates may all now have changed thanks to more energy-efficient appliances.
Casper Star Tribune - Nov 20, 1975
Posted By: Alex - Fri Feb 22, 2019 -
Comments (1)
Category: Food, 1970s, Power Generation
The Burnt Food Museum
It was founded in the late 1980's by harpist Deborah Henson-Conant. She writes:The museum still seems to be going strong, though its website specifies that it's a private museum, which means that you need to arrange personal tours in advance to see it. A price of $3500 is quoted. For that amount, I'm sure Paul and I could arrange something if you wanted a behind-the-scenes tour of WU.
Boston Globe - May 13, 2001
Posted By: Alex - Mon Feb 18, 2019 -
Comments (1)
Category: Food, Strange Websites
Liver, Bacon and Pineapple
Yes? No? For breakfast? Undecided until you try some? Let us know!
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jan 09, 2019 -
Comments (4)
Category: Annoying Things, Antisocial Activities, Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Daredevils, Stuntpeople and Thrillseekers, Delusions, Fantasies and Other Tricks of the Imagination, Dreams and Nightmares, Food, 1960s, Nausea, Revulsion and Disgust, Sadness
Cooking with Scraps
Good idea, or a kind of "stone soup" scheme? I add stones and water, you dump in all the veggies and meat. Now it tastes great!
Posted By: Paul - Sun Jan 06, 2019 -
Comments (2)
Category: Food, Frauds, Cons and Scams, Books
Miss Popcorn
A few of the holders of the "Miss Popcorn" title. It seems the title must have been discontinued after Miss Popcorn of 1952 generated a bit of bad press.
Chicago Tribune - Oct 21, 1950
Cincinnati Enquirer - Mar 11, 1951
Palm Beach Post - Nov 12, 1952
Windsor Star - Aug 6, 1953
Posted By: Alex - Tue Dec 11, 2018 -
Comments (2)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Food, 1950s
Meats for Babies
Back in the late 1940s and early 50s, Swift's urged mothers to start feeding their babies canned, processed meat at 6 weeks because "Results of actual test feedings with six-weeks-old infants show meat gives baby a better start in life!”I'm no expert, but six weeks seems awful early to start feeding your kid meat, even if it has been pureed into meat mush. Aren't most kids still on breast milk or formula at six weeks?
Boston Globe - Apr 4, 1948
Posted By: Alex - Wed Dec 05, 2018 -
Comments (2)
Category: Babies, Food, 1950s
Hot Dogs vs Hamburgers
According to a study conducted by Dr. Leo Wollman (and reported in Omni magazine in 1980), one's preference for hot dogs or hamburgers when going out for a quick lunch has a deeper significance:"The people who eat hot dogs usually grab it and go," he said. "Hamburger eaters take more time. They're better dressed executive types, used to making decisions—well done, rare, ketchup or mustard."
I like both hot dogs and hamburgers, but if I was pressed for time I'd probably grab a hot dog over a hamburger. However, I don't match Wollman's hot-dog personality type at all. So I wouldn't put much stock in his results. And digging into his bio a bit further, it doesn't seem that he was exactly known for his credibility as a researcher.
Omni - July 1980
Posted By: Alex - Sat Dec 01, 2018 -
Comments (7)
Category: Food, Junk Food, Psychology
Plain Raisin Sandwich
Yum or yuck?
Source.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Nov 21, 2018 -
Comments (7)
Category: Food, 1960s, Nausea, Revulsion and Disgust
Follies of the Madmen #396
George Lucas had to keep his hand in between THX 1138 and the first STAR WARS film.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Nov 19, 2018 -
Comments (1)
Category: Aliens, Business, Advertising, Food, 1970s
Follies of the Madmen #394
Sexy female pigs discuss sending one of their own kind to the slaughterhouse.
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Nov 11, 2018 -
Comments (3)
Category: Animals, Anthropomorphism, Business, Advertising, Death, Food, 1960s
| 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 |