Weird Universe Blog — May 17, 2021
Eviction caused bad breath, dandruff
1979: After being evicted from the townhouse he was renting, R.L. Ussery filed a lawsuit against his former landlord seeking $11,000 in compensation. Ussery claimed that the eviction had caused him and his family to suffer from "colds, nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea dysentery, loss of hair, sweating palms, the need to void, the inability to void, nightmares, insomnia, dandruff, bad breath, dirty fingernails, odoriferous body odors, especially of the feet, palm itching, the blues and the blahs, nervousness, dry heaves and crying spells."I don't know what the result of the lawsuit was, but I think it's highly unlikely that Ussery won.
Tampa Tribune - Aug 24, 1979
Posted By: Alex - Mon May 17, 2021 -
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Category: Lawsuits | 1970s
The Inventions of Russell Oakes
An article here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon May 17, 2021 -
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Category: Humor | Inventions | Rube Goldberg Devices | 1940s
May 16, 2021
Whole-Mouse Homogenizer
This scientific ad has been doing the rounds for a long time. (Dave Barry discussed it in a 1993 column). But I only found out about it recently.No idea what the original source was.
via Improbable.com
Posted By: Alex - Sun May 16, 2021 -
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Category: Science | Advertising
Best Scents for Sexual Arousal
The article dates from 1997 (The Daily Herald Chicago, Illinois 21 Aug 1997, Thu Page 97), but an actual scientific paper from the same people was posted in 2014. If any WU-vie can cite more recent reasearch, please do so!
Posted By: Paul - Sun May 16, 2021 -
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Category: 1990s | Twenty-first Century | Smells and Odors | Sex
May 15, 2021
Isotopia—an atomic pantomime
In 1950, Muriel Howorth, who was a great believer in the benefits of atomic energy, wrote and staged a ballet/pantomime about the atom. It was titled Isotopia: An Exposition on Atomic Structure. This description from Time magazine, Oct 30, 1950:Before a select audience of 250 rapt ladies and a dozen faintly bored gentlemen, some 13 bosomy A.E. Associates in flowing evening gowns gyrated gracefully about a stage in earnest imitation of atomic forces at work. An ample electron in black lace wound her way around two matrons labeled "proton" and "neutron" while an elderly ginger-haired Geiger counter clicked out their radioactive effect on a pretty girl named Agriculture. At a climactic moment, a Mrs. Monica Davial raced across the stage in spirited representation of a rat eating radioactive cheese.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any pictures of the event. But you can read the entire pantomime over at atomicgardening.com.
Muriel Howorth, founder of the Atomic Energy Association of Great Britain
Posted By: Alex - Sat May 15, 2021 -
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Category: Theater and Stage | Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters | 1950s
Jody Sten, “Smiling Teddy Bear”
Posted By: Paul - Sat May 15, 2021 -
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Category: Fairs, Amusement Parks, and Resorts | Music | Toys | 1960s
May 14, 2021
Dr. Munch’s Marijuana Madness
1938: Dr. James Clyde Munch described to his students at Temple University what happened when he smoked "a handful of reefers" as an experiment.I'm thinking there may have been something more than just marijuana in those cigarettes.
Time - Apr 11, 1938
Munch liked his story about the disorienting effects of marijuana so much that he repeated it at several criminal trials.
New York Daily News - Apr 8, 1938
Posted By: Alex - Fri May 14, 2021 -
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Category: Drugs | Smoking and Tobacco | Experiments | 1930s
Buckeye Beer
The revitalized company still exists today, but no mention of reinstating their "mascots," Buck and Billy.Read the history here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri May 14, 2021 -
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Category: Animals | Human Marvels | Regionalism | Advertising | Corporate Mascots, Icons and Spokesbeings | Nineteenth Century | Twentieth Century | Alcohol
May 13, 2021
Evian Water Bra
Brand-Extension Failure: Evian released a "water bra" in 2005, apparently because they thought their association with bottled water could persuade women to buy water-filled bras. The idea was that water-filled bras would be cooling. As far as I can tell, the product was discontinued soon after being introduced.More info: impactlab.com
Posted By: Alex - Thu May 13, 2021 -
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Category: Business | Underwear
