Hobbies and DIY
Taxidermied Frog Orchestra
I came across this ad in Boys' Life - Oct 1935. Then I realized that Paul had already posted a version of the ad two years ago. But I decided to post this version anyway, since it shows the Taxidermied Frog Orchestra. I wonder how many kids actually went ahead and made one of these.
Posted By: Alex - Sat Oct 19, 2013 -
Comments (4)
Category: Hobbies and DIY, Taxidermy, 1930s
Weird-Ohs
How could Weird Universe not do a feature on a line of model kits dubbed "Weird-ohs"...?
This blog features a good writeup on them.
Here's a period ad from BOYS LIFE.
And the horrifying reality of the finished product. Buy yours now through the link below!
Posted By: Paul - Tue Oct 01, 2013 -
Comments (8)
Category: Freaks, Oddities, Quirks of Nature, Hobbies and DIY, Toys, Air Travel and Airlines, 1960s, Fictional Monsters
DIY Lego Prosthesis
She must have a really bad insurance plan!
Posted By: Alex - Sat Jul 06, 2013 -
Comments (9)
Category: Hobbies and DIY
Crazy Remote Airplane Skills To Classical Music
This amazing video shows how classical music and skilled use of a remote control plane can produce a work of art.Here's the link:
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/83180718/
I want this plane!! Any idea what kind it is?
Posted By: gdanea - Tue Apr 02, 2013 -
Comments (4)
Category: Hobbies and DIY
Speciality Model Railroad Figures
I never realized that you could decorate your model railroad layout with a variety of unconventional people.
Check out the whole assortment here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Jan 07, 2013 -
Comments (3)
Category: Hobbies and DIY, Stereotypes and Cliches, Toys, Trains
DIY Railroading
Posted By: Paul - Thu Nov 08, 2012 -
Comments (7)
Category: Hobbies and DIY, Inebriation and Intoxicants, Inventions, Technology, Wild West and US Frontier, Transportation
Mechanical Pencil Collections
Andy P. Tucker was a disabled veteran who enjoyed collecting mechanical pencils. In 1951, he sent this letter (or versions of it) to newspapers throughout the United States:
I don't know what kind of response he got, but here's a picture of him in 1952 with his collection. The picture ran in various papers.
I can't find any information about what became of Tucker's collection. Was it thrown away when he died? Or is it sitting in a box in someone's basement? Who knows.
However, Tucker isn't the only person to have collected mechanical pencils. Jonathan A. Veley now maintains what he calls his Mechanical Pencil Museum, with an accompanying Leadhead's Pencil Blog. But a search of Veley's blog doesn't produce any references to Tucker, so I'm not sure if Veley is aware of his predecessor.
Veley's mechanical pencil collection
Posted By: Alex - Fri Jul 13, 2012 -
Comments (5)
Category: Hobbies and DIY, Obsessions
Arrow Dipping
Not since "Wooden Bridge Inspection" has boredom reached such glorious heights (or depths).
Posted By: Paul - Thu Mar 29, 2012 -
Comments (5)
Category: Boredom, Hobbies and DIY, Products
Johnson Smith Catalog Item #18
"Junior, why is the cat glowing?"
From the 1950 catalog.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Jan 30, 2012 -
Comments (4)
Category: Hobbies and DIY, Johnson Smith Catalog, Science, Experiments, 1950s
American Legion Parades of Yore
Today, the average upstanding citizen is a pale shadow of his or her riotous ancestors. We don't drink as much or smoke as much or act goofy in public as much (despite the roll call of weird behaviors as collected by our Fearless Leader, Chuck.)
Look at this boring clip of a contemporary American Legion parade from last year.
Then view this account from 1947, when randy old codger Legionnaires rode bucking ATVs through the streets, poured water from hotel windows, and shocked innocent women with cattle prods (probably the very ones sold through Johnson Smith catalogs, as shown earlier on WU).
Now, answer truly: which era would you rather live in?
Posted By: Paul - Fri Jan 27, 2012 -
Comments (4)
Category: Clubs, Fraternities and Other Self-selecting Organizations, Hobbies and DIY, Parades and Festivals, 1940s, Pranks
| Who We Are |
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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 |