Weird Universe Blog — August 15, 2022
The Fuse Ball
In 1926, Philip S. Kane of Pennsylvania received a patent for his "fuse ball" (Patent No. 1,583,721). It was a golf ball with a fuse. Before teeing off, you'd light the fuse, which would then start emitting smoke. That way, you could find the ball wherever you hit it, even if it landed in tall grass.According to various media reports, while testing his ball Kane accidentally set a wheat field on fire, but I haven't seen any proof to back up that story.
Posted By: Alex - Mon Aug 15, 2022 -
Comments (0)
Category: Sports | Patents | 1920s
Mystery Gadget 102
Automatic fingernail painter? What's your guess?The answer is here.
Or after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Mon Aug 15, 2022 -
Comments (0)
Category: Technology | 1950s
August 14, 2022
Can’t Miss the Show
January 1985: The women of the Thurlow family proved they were serious fans of the TV show St. Elsewhere. Even as their house burned down around them, they remained parked in front of the TV set, watching the latest episode through the haze of the smoke, unwilling to miss a single moment. The firefighters had to drag them away. But as soon as the fire was extinguished, the women rushed back into the house and were able to catch the final 10 minutes.
Ocala Star-Banner - Jan 23, 1985
First Posted: Nov 2015
Reposted By: Alex - Sun Aug 14, 2022 -
Comments (6)
Category: 1980s
The American Association of Psychiatrists from India
This group was founded in 1979 and later changed its name — but not because they were concerned that the name sounded oddly contradictory. Instead, they wanted to avoid being confused with the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. The group is now known as the Indo-American Psychiatric Association. Details from its website:It was estimated at that time that there were approximately 1000‐1200 psychiatrists of Indian origin practicing or in training in the US.
The group also agreed that the organization should include all mental health professionals interested in the vision and mission of this organization.
This group started out as a professional, educational and social group.
The organization was named as the American Association of Psychiatrists from India (AAPI).
Posted By: Alex - Sun Aug 14, 2022 -
Comments (0)
Category: Clubs, Fraternities and Other Self-selecting Organizations
Post Count Off Cereal
Posted By: Paul - Sun Aug 14, 2022 -
Comments (0)
Category: Spaceflight, Astronautics, and Astronomy | Premiums, Come-ons, Giveaways, Lossleaders and Freebies | Cereal | 1960s
August 13, 2022
Can you speak Venusian?
In his 1972 documentary, Can You Speak Venusian?, the British astronomer Patrick Moore examined the astronomical theories of various "independent thinkers" — otherwise known as kooks. It's probably now the only footage of most of these odd folks, talking about their odd ideas. Moore released an accompanying book of the same name.My favorite of his independent thinkers is John Bradbury and his 15-lens telescope, viewable at around the 15:30 mark. His basic idea was that if two lenses are good, then fifteen must be even better. Bradbury claimed his telescope was so powerful that it could show "the actual background casing of the universe."
source: Can you speak Venusian?
Posted By: Alex - Sat Aug 13, 2022 -
Comments (3)
Category: Science | Spaceflight, Astronautics, and Astronomy | 1970s
Melvin Purvis’s G-Men Detective Game
Play along with current headlines!
The object of the game is to capture the Public Enemy. The player who brings a G-Man together with the Public Enemy wins the game. The game starts with one G-Man chasing the public enemy, but after 30 minutes a second can be brought into play.
More pix and info here.
Melvin Purvis at Wikipedia.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Aug 13, 2022 -
Comments (0)
Category: Crime | Games | 1930s
August 12, 2022
Knocked unconscious by falling urine
The Argus reports that "A builder was knocked unconscious when he was hit with a bottle of pee which dropped from a 50-metre crane."The story reminds me of a viral image that circulated widely about 20 years ago, claiming to show a woman "pierced by a shaft of frozen urine." (The image was a hoax).
Posted By: Alex - Fri Aug 12, 2022 -
Comments (2)
Category: Accidents | Body Fluids
Burma Blockade Deodorant
Nothing like naming your product so that it sounds like a military operation, then touting it with a stereotyped "Oriental" gal.Of course, we'd have to relaunch this as "Myanmar Blockade" today.
Bonus video: the same gal touting the more famous Burma Shave.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Aug 12, 2022 -
Comments (1)
Category: Ethnic Groupings | Hygiene | Stereotypes and Cliches | Advertising | 1960s | Asia
August 11, 2022
Breast Douche
When a simple washcloth just won't do.Full patent is here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Aug 11, 2022 -
Comments (2)
Category: Body | Hygiene | Patents | 1910s
