Weather
Field Umbrella
Patent No. 2,320,848 was granted to Hollie Lee Byars of Parrish, Alabama for an umbrella designed to protect people stooped over. She imagined it would be useful for field workers. Although anyone who spent a lot of time hunched over could benefit.There have been times when I've been weeding my yard that I could have used something like this.
Posted By: Alex - Fri May 21, 2021 -
Comments (3)
Category: Inventions, Patents, 1940s, Weather
The History of Nuking Hurricanes
The idea of nuking hurricanes has been in the news lately. Which made me wonder: how soon after learning of the existence of atomic bombs did people start to speculate about dropping them into hurricanes?The answer seems to be, immediately. I found the article below about nuking hurricanes, dated Aug 8, 1945 — a mere two days after the bombing of Hiroshima.
Interestingly, the article speculates that the idea may have been inspired by earlier legends about using cannons to dispel waterspouts:
The Miami News - Aug 8, 1945
Posted By: Alex - Sun Sep 15, 2019 -
Comments (4)
Category: Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, 1940s, Weather
The Ground Breathes
What on earth is going on here?The explanation, via IFLScience:
“During a rain and windstorm event the ground becomes saturated, 'loosening' the soil's cohesion with the roots as the wind is blowing on a tree's crown," certified arborist Mark Vanderwouw told The Weather Network.
"The wind is trying to 'push' the trees over, and as the force is transferred to the roots, the ground begins to 'heave'. If the winds were strong enough and lasted long enough more roots would start to break and eventually some of the trees would topple.”
Posted By: Alex - Sun Nov 04, 2018 -
Comments (1)
Category: Nature, Natural Wonders, Weather
Follies of the Madmen #393
Our soft drink is equivalent to a life-endangering catastrophic event.
Source of B&W ad here (scroll right).
Posted By: Paul - Sat Nov 03, 2018 -
Comments (1)
Category: Business, Advertising, Disasters, Soda, Pop, Soft Drinks and other Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 1960s, Weather
Propellor-Driven Snowmobiles
This notion goes way back.The Russians tried them at the start of the 20th century, with the Aerosani.
Here's one from the 1930s.
And finally, one from 2016.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Jul 08, 2018 -
Comments (1)
Category: Motor Vehicles, Nature, Weather, Twentieth Century, Twenty-first Century
Michael Fish Moment
With Hurricane Ophelia headed in the direction of the U.K., it seems like an appropriate moment to remember the Great Storm of 1987. In particular, Oct 15, 1987, when TV weatherman Michael Fish opened his forecast with the remark, "Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way; well, if you're watching, don't worry, there isn't." A few hours later, the worst storm in 300 years hit Britain, killing 18 people. Though, in Fish's defense, it technically wasn't a hurricane.In the UK, whenever anyone makes a really bad prediction, it's still known as a "Michael Fish moment."
More info: wikipedia
Posted By: Alex - Sun Oct 15, 2017 -
Comments (2)
Category: Predictions, 1980s, Weather
Welsh Weather Report
Recent weather forecast for Welsh town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. More info: cbc.ca
Posted By: Alex - Fri Sep 11, 2015 -
Comments (4)
Category: Weird Names, Weather
Worm Weather Visits Southern Norway
I finally tracked down the original story. It's copyright so click here and read all about it.
Posted By: Expat47 - Mon Apr 20, 2015 -
Comments (3)
Category: Europe, Weather
All Over Rain Cover
[Click to enlarge]
Air holes? Who need to breath so long as you're dry?
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Oct 14, 2013 -
Comments (8)
Category: Death, Fashion, Advertising, 1940s, Weather
Beat the Heat with Your Meat
At last, a solution to global warming!
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Mar 14, 2013 -
Comments (7)
Category: Food, Advertising, 1950s, Weather
| 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 |