Puppets and Automatons
Happy the Cowboy Ventriloquist Dummy
"Happy" looks anything but, as if he's battling the DTs. Does his cigarette really emit smoke?
Original ad here. (Page 35.)
Posted By: Paul - Tue Feb 09, 2016 -
Comments (7)
Category: Puppets and Automatons, 1950s, Sadness
Shirley Dinsdale and Judy Splinters
Female ventriloquists are pretty rare. So it's always weird to find a forgotten one, especially one who might be remembered for garnering the first Emmy award ever given. Shirley Dinsdale might have been talented, but Judy Splinters was surely ugly as all get-out.
This 1945 radio show (not embeddable) features her act in its prime, starting after the 3-minute mark.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Jan 22, 2016 -
Comments (5)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Entertainment, Puppets and Automatons, 1940s
Elektro the Robot
No need to worry about the Singularity with Elektro.
Wikipedia entry.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Apr 23, 2015 -
Comments (2)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Fairs, Amusement Parks, and Resorts, Puppets and Automatons, 1930s
World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock Contender
Sugarcreek, Ohio has what they claim is the world's largest cuckoo clock. In fact it had been on display at a couple of different venues for many years. It is quite a lovely and charming tourist attraction.
Posted By: Alex - Fri Mar 20, 2015 -
Comments (2)
Category: Art, Fey, Twee, Whimsical, Naive and Sadsack, Puppets and Automatons, World Records, Landmarks, Sightseeing
Tony Sarg’s Marionettes: “In the Orient”
Posted By: Paul - Fri Dec 26, 2014 -
Comments (9)
Category: Puppets and Automatons, 1920s
Tipu’s Tiger
Fascinating article here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Nov 14, 2014 -
Comments (3)
Category: Animals, Art, Death, Dictators, Tyrants and Other Harsh Rulers, Puppets and Automatons, Nineteenth Century
Johnny Jupiter
There's a bit of Jim Carrey to our hero Ernie.
Full story here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Nov 11, 2014 -
Comments (2)
Category: Aliens, Geeks, Nerds and Pointdexters, Puppets and Automatons, Television, 1950s
One of These Things Is Not Like the Others
You recall perhaps the full-size rubber mask of the mystery half-wit? Well, here he is again, as a hand-puppet, inexplicably consorting with legit Disney characters. The manufacturers must have loved that design.
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Oct 28, 2014 -
Comments (5)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Puppets and Automatons, Advertising, Comics, 1940s
Early Sexbots
Posted By: Paul - Wed Apr 09, 2014 -
Comments (3)
Category: Puppets and Automatons, Sex Toys, 1930s, 1940s
The Origin of Crash Test Dummies
Not the musical group.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Apr 05, 2014 -
Comments (3)
Category: Death, Motor Vehicles, PSA’s, Puppets and Automatons, 1960s
| 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 |