Technology
Toilet Gun
The ad copy advises me to "Think of it!" and to contemplate the "powerful chain reaction." I sure am, buster! I'm thinking of what happens when you apply an explosive force to a ceramic bowl filled with excrement and wet paper that won't flush. And why aren't these devices common nowadays, if they were so great?
I think I'll stick with the old plumber's helper, thank you!
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Nov 07, 2011 -
Comments (2)
Category: Domestic, Appliances, Hygiene, Excrement, Technology, 1960s
Brown Bobby
Get rich quick with triangular donuts!
Explanation here.
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Nov 03, 2011 -
Comments (5)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Technology, Junk Food, Appliances, 1930s
Personal Multicopter
More info here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Nov 01, 2011 -
Comments (4)
Category: Flight, Inventions, Motor Vehicles, Technology, Europe
Mystery Gadget 4
What is the purpose of this mysterious electronic box?
Maybe if you see its inventor, all will become clear. (Corner of box in background.)
No? You'd better go beyond the jump!
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Sat Oct 08, 2011 -
Comments (4)
Category: Technology, 1960s
Steve Jobs: 1955-2011
Steve Jobs passed away earlier today. This may not seem like the kind of thing to post on Weird Universe, but consider what kind of place this world would be without him. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak created the Apple II, the first home computer many would use, and thanks to this and other innovations like the graphical operating system, the internet friendly iMac, and the always connected iPhone, the world is now fully connected, allowing anyone instant access to the kinds of weird things we here at Weird Universe love. Sure, he didn't create the internet all by himself, but if it weren't for some of the innovations his company pioneered, the world might have turned out to be a much more normal (and boring) place than it is today.
Posted By: Salamander Sam - Wed Oct 05, 2011 -
Comments (30)
Category: Death, Obituaries, Technology, Computers, Internet
Magic Lantern Slides
Prior to movies, magic lantern slides were omnipresent, cutting-edge entertainment. Consequently, the range of materials they covered--from juvenile to adult--was enormous--and often weird.
Joseph Boggs Beale illo.
Article on Joseph Boggs Beale.
Collection of slides online.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Oct 05, 2011 -
Comments (4)
Category: Entertainment, Technology, Nineteenth Century
Mystery Gadget 3
Answer after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Sat Sep 10, 2011 -
Comments (8)
Category: Technology, 1930s
Verne Soules
Full patent here as PDF.
A mention of his death in 1948.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Aug 29, 2011 -
Comments (3)
Category: Animals, Contests, Races and Other Competitions, Technology, 1930s, 1940s
Mystery Gadget 1
What is this apparatus, sold in 1928? Register your guess. Then: Find the answer here.
And you can still buy one on eBay.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Aug 15, 2011 -
Comments (5)
Category: Technology, 1920s
1920s Perpetual Motion Machine
More fascinating stuff at the original article.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Aug 03, 2011 -
Comments (5)
Category: Hoaxes and Imposters and Imitators, Technology, 1920s
| 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 |