Photography and Photographers
A third leg
Back in the nineteenth century, Alexander Robinson operated a photographic studio on the Isle of Man. In 1885 he applied for a British patent (British Patent Specification 15,376) for an unusual invention — a fake third leg, which he envisioned using as a prop in his studio.
From his patent application:
His invention makes more sense once you know that the Isle of Man's heraldic coat of arms consists of three legs. I imagine that tourists would come to his studio to get a photograph of themselves with three legs, just like the Isle of Man.
I don't know if Robinson was ever granted a patent for this. The British patent office, unlike the American one, is not fully searchable online. More info: History of Photography journal
Posted By: Alex - Tue Mar 14, 2023 -
Comments (3)
Category: Photography and Photographers, Patents, Nineteenth Century
Miss Yashica Gold Venus
20 year old Lova Moor, Cabaret performer at the Paris ''Crazy Horse Saloon'' was elected ''Miss Yashica Gold Venus'' under the sponsorship of the well launching on the French market of the new Electro 35 Mecanicor Camera produced by Yashica.
Source.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Feb 12, 2023 -
Comments (3)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Photography and Photographers, 1960s
Color photographs to fight crime
Use color film so you can see the blood better.
Posted By: Alex - Wed Nov 16, 2022 -
Comments (1)
Category: Photography and Photographers, Advertising, 1950s, Blood
Carol Stream Fire Department Group Photo
Now that's how to do a group photo!
"It's a rare occasion when the paid firemen and the volunteers of the Carol Stream, Ill., fire departments get together. So the chief decided there should be a group picture. Other matters could wait, for a big fire, after all, is a real challenge. Actually, they set the fire themselves in an abandoned farm house, just for the practice in putting it out."
Calgary Herald - Apr 22, 1984
Posted By: Alex - Thu Aug 18, 2022 -
Comments (0)
Category: Photography and Photographers, Firefighting, Arson, Wildfires, Infernos and Other Conflagrations
Unlikely Reasons for Murder No. 9
These two were "lucky" enough to be immortalized by Weegee.Article source: The Grand Island Daily Independent (Grand Island, Nebraska) 03 Aug 1936,
Mon Page 1
Posted By: Paul - Tue May 10, 2022 -
Comments (2)
Category: Crime, Scary Criminals, Stupid Criminals, Family, Photography and Photographers, 1930s
Reading Position For A Second Degree Burn
For somewhere between $15,000 to $20,000 you can buy a photograph showing the sunburn that artist Dennis Oppenheim got on Long Island beach in 1970.According to wikipedia:
Posted By: Alex - Sun Nov 21, 2021 -
Comments (1)
Category: Art, Photography and Photographers, 1970s, Skin and Skin Conditions
Mystery Illustration 102
What type of publication is this dramatic illustration from? A true-crime magazine? A government report on urban violence? Publicity for a cop movie?The answer is here.
Or after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Sat Aug 07, 2021 -
Comments (3)
Category: Photography and Photographers, 1970s, Weapons
The Chelsea Flash Pistol
Source of first pic.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Aug 22, 2020 -
Comments (0)
Category: Death, Destruction, Photography and Photographers, Technology, Nineteenth Century
Follies of the Madmen #484
Somehow not quite as humorous nowadays.
Source.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jul 29, 2020 -
Comments (2)
Category: Business, Advertising, Death, Family, Photography and Photographers, 1960s
Cassandra and Tom
Decide for yourself!
Source of text.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jun 04, 2020 -
Comments (0)
Category: Ambiguity, Uncertainty and Deliberate Obscurity, Celebrities, Music, Photography and Photographers, 1970s, Dance
| 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 |