1930s
Linoleumville
The Wikipedia page gives the history of the name:In 1873, the American Linoleum Company acquired 300 acres in the area to build the nation's first linoleum factory. The inventor of Linoleum, Frederick Walton, spent two years in Travis setting up the factory.[3] Many skilled English immigrants arrived to work in the factory in its early days, and the area being was named Linoleumville. By the early 20th century, 700 workers were employed, comprising half the local population. Many of these were Polish immigrants, and Linoleumville had become a Polish enclave.[4][5] The plant closed in 1931 and residents overwhelmingly chose to rename the community Travis.[1]
The name change vote prompted journalistic joshing at the time. But the second piece--by the later-famous historian Bruce Catton--stuck up for the name.
Posted By: Paul - Wed May 17, 2023 -
Comments (2)
Category: Odd Names, Regionalism, 1930s
Lying Start
I've never seen a race start like this. I'm assuming the "lying start" must no longer be practiced.
Posted By: Alex - Wed May 10, 2023 -
Comments (5)
Category: Sports, 1930s
Wearable Canopy
Stylish rain gear.More info: Patent No. 1,888,909
Posted By: Alex - Sun Apr 30, 2023 -
Comments (3)
Category: Fashion, Patents, 1930s, Weather
The boxer who knocked himself out
According to boxing lore, back in the 1930s C.D. "Bigboy" Blalock of Louisiana State University managed to accidentally knock himself out, with his own punch.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Feb 12, 1973
I've managed to confirm that C.D. Blalock was, in fact, a boxer on the LSU team (see clipping below). Apparently he was the heavyweight champion of the southeastern conference in 1934. But I can't find any contemporary coverage of his self-knockout. Which seems odd. I would have thought the press would have given something like that plenty of coverage.
Alexandria Daily Town Talk - Apr 2, 1932
Posted By: Alex - Wed Apr 26, 2023 -
Comments (0)
Category: Sports, 1930s
Lifesavers
If I'm reading this correctly, she really likes a guy who's short and scrawny, but feels that she's not supposed to. Lifesavers will help her conform to social expectations and find a more conventional partner.
The Old Line Magazine (University of Maryland) - Dec 1937
Posted By: Alex - Wed Apr 19, 2023 -
Comments (2)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Advertising, 1930s
The Dynasphere
Invented by Dr. John Purves in the early 1930s. The driver in the pictures and video is his son.
image source: rarehistoricalphotos.com
Many have noted the limitations of the Dynasphere. For instance, this is from Joe Rhatigan's Inventions That Could Have Changed The World But Didn't (2015):
It seems to me like these are all problems that computer-aided technology could overcome. So, given that the Dynasphere looks like it would be fun to drive, I'm surprised that a version of it isn't in production somewhere.
More info: wikipedia
Posted By: Alex - Mon Mar 27, 2023 -
Comments (6)
Category: 1930s, Cars
Miss Unsafe Brakes
According to Railey Jane Savage, in her book We have a winner!, Miss Unsafe Brakes appeared at the 1939 Chicago Auto Show.Miss Unsafe Brakes represents one of the few examples of a "miss" title named for something that's being criticized, rather than promoted. Another example would be Miss Smog America.
Posted By: Alex - Thu Mar 09, 2023 -
Comments (0)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, 1930s, Cars
Phare du Monde
The Wikipedia page.Source for the illustration, where the text and image may be enlarged.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Mar 04, 2023 -
Comments (7)
Category: Architecture, Excess, Overkill, Hyperbole and Too Much Is Not Enough, Expositions, World Fairs, Celebrations, 1930s, Europe
Visit Gay’s Lion Farm
The Wikipedia page.A very detailed article on the place, with lots of photos.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Mar 02, 2023 -
Comments (0)
Category: Animals, Eccentrics, Hollywood, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s
To laugh at Percy isn’t fair
I wouldn't laugh at Percy, but I would wonder why he looks like a mannequin. See the uncanny valley effect.
Hearst's International-Cosmopolitan - Aug 1936
Posted By: Alex - Sat Feb 25, 2023 -
Comments (2)
Category: Advertising, 1930s, Hair and Hairstyling
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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 |