Technology
Mystery Gadget 98
What function is the large and complicated box performing?Answer is here.
Or after the jump.
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Posted By: Paul - Thu Dec 23, 2021 -
Comments (6)
Category: Technology, 1940s
Hotel Automat
Posted By: Paul - Sun Dec 19, 2021 -
Comments (4)
Category: Inventions, Technology, Hotels, 1960s
The Gramocar or Record Runner
The Gramocar has gone under a variety of different names: Chorocco, Record Runner, Soundwagon, and Vinyl Killer. But I like Gramocar the best.It was invented in the 1970s by a team at Sony who had the idea that instead of playing a vinyl record by spinning the disc and keeping the needle stationary, it would be possible to keep the disc stationary and move the needle. They designed the moving needle as a miniature VW van, with built-in speakers, that drove in circles around the surface of a record.
Sony got a patent on the invention (US4232202) but was initially reluctant to manufacture it, saying, "We are a hi-fi company, not a toy company." But they changed their mind, and some were sold in Japan. In that way, the Gramocar gained enough of a following that other manufacturers eventually began making them. And you can still buy one today at RecordRunner.jp.
More info: New Scientist - Feb 5, 1981
Posted By: Alex - Mon Nov 08, 2021 -
Comments (1)
Category: Music, Technology, Patents, 1970s, Cars
Mystery Gadget 97
This device does what now?Answer is here.
Or after the jump.
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Posted By: Paul - Tue Nov 02, 2021 -
Comments (4)
Category: Technology, Twentieth Century
Mystery Gadget 96
What are these genteel people genteelly doing?The answer is here.
Or after the jump.
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Posted By: Paul - Mon Sep 06, 2021 -
Comments (3)
Category: Technology, Nineteenth Century
Electric Football
Posted By: Paul - Wed Aug 04, 2021 -
Comments (3)
Category: Games, Technology, Children, Twentieth Century, Twenty-first Century
The Penile Plethysmograph
I had to post this item today, to accompany Alex's "pot-sex" post, only because how often does one get to use the great word "plethysmograph?"
Posted By: Paul - Sat Jul 31, 2021 -
Comments (1)
Category: Medicine, Science, Sexuality, Technology, Genitals
Giant Cat Billboard
Other videos and article here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Jul 12, 2021 -
Comments (0)
Category: Animals, Excess, Overkill, Hyperbole and Too Much Is Not Enough, Technology, Advertising, Giant People in Ads, Asia
The Boeing Sky Commuter
Another car-plane hybrid that never made it into production.Article here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Jul 02, 2021 -
Comments (1)
Category: Technology, Air Travel and Airlines, 1990s, Cars
Mystery Gadget 95
This does what now?Answer is here. Or after the jump.
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Posted By: Paul - Sat Jun 05, 2021 -
Comments (2)
Category: Technology, Twentieth 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 |