Humor
Myrtle Young, the Potato Chip Lady
Myrtle Young worked as a potato chip inspector at the Seyfert Potato Chip plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana. During the course of her job, she would occasionally notice potato chips that resembled something, such as an animal or a celebrity. She began to take these chips home to show her granddaughter, and soon she had amassed quite a collection.When the media became aware of her collection it led to numerous appearances on talk shows, including a 1987 appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. TV Guide named this as the funniest moment ever on television.
I don't know if it's the funniest ever, but it's definitely amusing. The noteworthy part occurs about a minute in.
The scene was later parodied in a 1993 episode of the Simpson's, 'Selma's Choice,' in which Great Aunt Gladys bequeathes to Marge, via video will, her collection of potato chips that look like celebrities. As the video will is playing, Homer is seen eating the chips. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find a clip of this scene.
Update: Paul managed to get some screenshots of Homer and the potato chips!
Posted By: Alex - Thu Sep 02, 2021 -
Comments (0)
Category: Humor, Television, Junk Food, Collectors, 1980s
California Soap Mine
Was the 1855 Soap Mine tale just a prank or hoax? What about the 1901 article, in third place, which sounds a little more scientific?
Source.
Source.
Source.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Aug 16, 2021 -
Comments (3)
Category: Freaks, Oddities, Quirks of Nature, Hoaxes and Imposters and Imitators, Humor, Hygiene, Regionalism, Natural Wonders, Nineteenth Century, Twentieth Century
International Stop Continental Drift Society
The International Stop Continental Drift Society (ISCDS) was founded in 1976 by geologist John Holden with these demands: "the continents to stop moving, the sea floor to stop spreading, and such inconveniences as major earthquakes and volcanic eruptions to cease immediately." Its motto was "Eschew Sea-Floor Spreading." It also issued a newsletter that "like natural disasters will appear without warning".By 1981 it had grown to 300 members. Mostly fellow geologists. However, Holden admitted, "So far, our demands have not been satisfactorily met."
By the mid-1980s it seems to have faded away. Although it does have a Facebook page (set to private) with 154 members.
More info: Science Year 1982, lgvweb.nl
"Dutch geologists drive a giant screw into the ground at Leiden, The Netherlands, in an attempt to stop the Eurasian tectonic plate from moving. The scientists are members of the International Stop Continental Drift Society whose purpose is to put some stability in the earth's crust."
Jack Holden - founder of the ISCDS
Longview Daily News - Sep 15, 1981
Posted By: Alex - Sat Jul 03, 2021 -
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Category: Clubs, Fraternities and Other Self-selecting Organizations, Humor, Science
My Honey Chile
"She's got a wooden leg, all stiff at the knee...just a limb from the old apple tree."
Posted By: Paul - Sun Jun 06, 2021 -
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Category: Humor, Music, 1940s, Differently Abled, Handicapped, Challenged, and Otherwise Atypical, Love & Romance
Rusty Warren, RIP
Obituary here.Wikipedia page here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri May 28, 2021 -
Comments (4)
Category: Humor, Sexuality, Twentieth Century
The Inventions of Russell Oakes
An article here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon May 17, 2021 -
Comments (0)
Category: Humor, Inventions, Rube Goldberg Devices, 1940s
Max Patkin, Baseball Clown
His Wikipedia page.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Mar 26, 2021 -
Comments (0)
Category: Humor, Sports, Twentieth Century
“The Great Society” Comic Book
Read the whole thing here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Feb 02, 2021 -
Comments (2)
Category: Humor, Parody, Politics, Comics, Superheroes, 1960s
Shrimpenstein
Wikipedia page of co-creator Jim Thurman. Obit for co-creator Gene Moss.IMDB page.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jan 06, 2021 -
Comments (0)
Category: Humor, Parody, Television, Pop Art, 1960s, Fictional Monsters
Mahinder Watsa, Sexpert: RIP
Apparently, 96-year-old Dr. Watsa continued answering questions almost up to his passing. But the real trick is, he did not start the column until he was 80!
Source.
Archive of recent questions.
Some of his best answers.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Dec 30, 2020 -
Comments (0)
Category: Humor, Journalism, Elderly, India, Sex
| 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 |