Nineteenth Century
Anchor Stone Building Blocks
Another weird old playtoy for building stuff. Very pricey on Ebay.
Wikipedia entry here.
A blog post here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jun 23, 2016 -
Comments (6)
Category: Toys, Europe, Nineteenth Century, Twentieth Century
Senior Moment?
Original article here.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Jun 05, 2016 -
Comments (0)
Category: Nineteenth Century, Brain Damage
Coco-Bay and Chiego-Foot
Original ad here.
Holloway's Pills and Ointment were apparently miraculous as seen by the number of ailments they could cure. But I was curious about two of the more obscure ills, and managed to track them down.
Definition here.
Yes, the treatment could cure leprosy! The second disorder is much less severe.
Definition here.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Apr 27, 2016 -
Comments (8)
Category: Scams, Cons, Rip-offs, and General Larceny, Nineteenth Century, Diseases
Illinois Canal Scrip
With USA paper money in the news, let's look at a wild and woolly era in the history of the USA when just about anyone could issue their own cash.
Explanation here.
And more info here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Apr 22, 2016 -
Comments (4)
Category: Business, Crime, Frauds, Cons and Scams, Nineteenth Century
Cold Medicine of the Beast
Still being made and sold today.
Home page here.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Apr 17, 2016 -
Comments (9)
Category: Health, Religion, Superstition, Nineteenth Century
The Coffin of Pero Bannister
I find this anecdote in two sources. True, or apocryphal? You be the judge!
1880 text.
1937 text.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Mar 29, 2016 -
Comments (7)
Category: Death, Eighteenth Century, Nineteenth Century, Twentieth Century, Face and Facial Expressions, Head
Frog Postcards
Please consider the usefulness and attractiveness of having frogs convey your birthday, Xmas, Valentine's Day or New Year's wishes.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Mar 02, 2016 -
Comments (10)
Category: Animals, Holidays, Nineteenth Century, Twentieth Century, Postal Services
Grove’s Laxative Bromo Quinine
Not sure about a laxative having any effect on a cold. Or quinine either. But thousands of people obviously found some relief for nearly eighty years.
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Mar 01, 2016 -
Comments (3)
Category: Patent Medicines, Nostrums and Snake Oil, Nineteenth Century, Twentieth Century
Hitler Is Alive!
In its heyday, THE POLICE GAZETTE was a goldmine of weird news. It was recently revived by Steven Westlake, son of the famous crime novelist Donald Westlake, and he has now compiled a book of the best Hitler articles from the magazine. Looks like a winner!
Posted By: Paul - Mon Feb 22, 2016 -
Comments (3)
Category: Dictators, Tyrants and Other Harsh Rulers, Hoaxes and Imposters and Imitators, Magazines, Europe, Nineteenth Century, Twentieth Century
The Wooden Leg Rule
A great advance in American divorce law, recorded by the Detroit Free Press - Sep 19, 1882.I wonder if the ruling still stands?
Posted By: Alex - Thu Feb 18, 2016 -
Comments (16)
Category: Divorce, Nineteenth Century
| 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 |