Regionalism
Florida Skunk Ape
Who knew that Chuck's state boasted its own Bigfoot, in the form of the Florida Skunk Ape?
Posted By: Paul - Thu Apr 16, 2009 -
Comments (5)
Category: Cryptozoology, Regionalism
Georgia Moon Corn Whiskey
Posted By: Paul - Wed Mar 25, 2009 -
Comments (5)
Category: Inebriation and Intoxicants, Regionalism, Products
Michigan Monster Trucks
America deserves to implode.Michigan Monster Trucks 2008 Highlight Video from Elliott Miller on Vimeo.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Mar 23, 2009 -
Comments (6)
Category: Regionalism, Stupidity, Subcultures, Trucks
The Village Seal of Whitesboro
The village of Whitesboro is located in upstate New York. It was founded in 1788 by Hugh White. The village seal depicts "a friendly wrestling match that helped foster good relations between White and the Indians." It was created in 1963 by local artist George E. Pugh to commemmorate the Village's Sesquicentennial.Unfortunately, some people think the seal looks more like Hugh White choking an Indian. In fact, in 1977 a complaint was filed with the Village Board arguing that the seal "demeans, disgraces and creates prejudice and distrust of Indian people." The Village was asked to stop displaying the seal. However, the villagers felt that the wrestling match was an important event in the history of their town, so instead they redesigned the seal so that Hugh White's hands were placed on the Indian's shoulders and not so close to his neck.
What you're seeing in the image below is apparently the redesigned seal that to this day appears on many of their municipal vehicles. If it still looks to you like White is choking the guy, that's obviously your own violent mind interpreting the image in that way. Anyone can see it's just a friendly sporting match! (Thanks to Ted Seaman for the contribution.)
Posted By: Alex - Sun Mar 22, 2009 -
Comments (12)
Category: Regionalism, Signage
Fishmen
Posted By: Paul - Fri Feb 27, 2009 -
Comments (7)
Category: Gods, Holidays, Horror, Humor, Parody, Literature, Music, Regionalism, Video, Body Fluids
The Red Flannel Festival
In 2009, all WU readers are commanded to attend Michigan's Red Flannel Festival, where natives parade in public in their longjohns.Here's the history of the tradition, taken from the Festival's homepage.
It all began in 1936 in the midst of "the worst winter in years." The whole country suffered in the grip of heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures. A New York feature writer bemoaned the "fact" that, "Here we are in the midst of an old- fashioned winter and there are no red flannels in the USA to go with it."
The local newspaper, The Cedar Springs Clipper, owned and edited by "The Clipper Gals" Nina Babcock and Grace Hamilton answered the writer with a RED HOT editorial stating: "Just because Sak's Fifth Avenue does not carry red flannels, it doesn't follow that no one in the country does. CEDAR SPRINGS' merchants have red flannels!"
The story was picked up by The Associated Press and orders began pouring in from all over the USA.
Seeing the possibility of at least a few years of publicity because of our famous “drop seaters" and lumbering history, a "RED FLANNEL DAY" was planned for the fall of 1939. After the closure of the Red Flannel Factory in 1994, the citizens became concerned as to the fate of their beloved Red Flannels and of the Red Flannel Festival. However, due to the love of their community legacy, volunteers rallied to keep the Red Flannel Festival tradition alive. It has continued to be an annual event, held the last weekend in September and the first weekend in October. The production of Red Flannel garments was reestablished and they are available to purchase in Cedar Springs.
And here are some shots from early on, courtesy of the Life Photo Archive
Posted By: Paul - Mon Feb 02, 2009 -
Comments (6)
Category: Customs, Holidays, Parades and Festivals, Regionalism, Fetishes, Underwear, 1940s
The Korn Kobblers
Once upon a time, this was considered amusing.[The second video comes courtesy of Deborah Newton.]
Posted By: Paul - Sat Jan 31, 2009 -
Comments (5)
Category: Humor, Music, Regionalism, Reader Recommendation, 1930s, 1940s
Motor Patrol
For those of you who are wondering about the possible ancestors of the famed TV show CHiPs--and there must be at least six of you--here comes the 1950 film MOTOR PATROL. I watched it recently, and it's not as goofy as many cheap films of this era. But the fact that ninety percent of the action and intrigue does NOT involve motorcycles has to count for something.Isn't that fellow in the white suit really channelling Clark Gable pretty badly?
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jan 28, 2009 -
Comments (1)
Category: Crime, Stupid Criminals, Movies, Regionalism, 1950s, Motorcycles
Dr. Seth Arnold’s Great Infantile Regulator
(Looking online, I discover that the entire book has been digitized here, so that you can have your own virtual copy.)
The front and back sections of the volume are full of ads. Here are two for some nostrums that I am sure contained plenty of dope.
No wonder the citizens in the drawings all look so relaxed and peaceful!
Posted By: Paul - Tue Jan 20, 2009 -
Comments (11)
Category: Medicine, Regionalism, Advertising, Products, Babies and Toddlers, Nineteenth Century
Psych-Out
Once you have experienced the 1968 film PSYCH-OUT, you will be unable to return to your square, plastic, uptight lifestyle. Just the sight of Jack Nicholson's fake ponytail alone will trip you out!
Posted By: Paul - Fri Jan 16, 2009 -
Comments (9)
Category: Bums, Hobos, Tramps, Beggars, Panhandlers and Other Streetpeople, Costumes and Masks, Drugs, Fads, Fashion, Hair Styling, History, Hollywood, Inebriation and Intoxicants, Movies, Music, Regionalism, Sexuality, Stereotypes and Cliches, Surrealism, Bohemians, Beatniks, Hippies and Slackers, 1960s, Posters, Dance, Body Painting, Facial Hair
| 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 |