“Wait… That’s not what we meant…”
What’s the first thing I thought of when I saw this ad?
“Hey, smoke up, Johnny!”
He sees you when you’re smoking…
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Tag Archives: history
The Imperial March starts playing…
Hiram Walker, “benevolent despot“, was into millin’ and distillin’.
What’s the difference between whiskey and whisky? Besides the “e”, that is.
Continue readingLet’s get Necco with Santa!
Necco Wafers refuse to die.
“Everyone’s least favorite Halloween candy has been making us miserable since 1847.”
Continue readingThe Bootlegger
Cover of the December 4, 1919 issue of Life magazine
Not to be confused with bootlicker.
A little bit and another little bit about artist Paul Stahr.
History not-so-fun fact:
This issue is dated December 4, 1919.
Prohibition began in the United States on January 17, 1920.
Insist on the hole.
1919 Life Savers magazine ad found as the inside front cover of a Life magazine.
Did you know Wint-O-Green Life Savers spark in the dark? Here’s why.
You never know when you’ll suddenly have to know a lot more about Life Savers. Mental Floss has you covered.
Continue readingThree words: Giant Riding Saw
Bone shards:
So would this thing actually work as advertised, or was it one of those early Caveat Emptor / Buyer Beware moments?
Wanna see the world’s largest saw? Yes, yes you do.
Wanna hear Ave Maria played on a musical saw? Yes, yes you do.
Why buy a giant riding saw when you can just hire one of these guys?
One of these contraptions still exists! Sadly, they don’t show it in action.
Lastly, and not for the squeamish, a history of the punishment known as Death by Sawing.
Continue readingMeatier. Plumper. Tighter.
No, this isn’t an ad for Dr. Porkenheimer’s Boner Juice; it’s for bananas!
Bone shards:
Who is Luther Burbank, the dude mentioned in the body copy? Without him, there wouldn’t be french fries.
Ever hear of a banana republic? You can thank these guys for that.
There are over a thousand different types of bananas, including the ice cream banana.
Did you know those gross stringy things on a banana have a name? Phloem bundles! That’s one of my favorite bits of useless knowledge.
Stephen Colbert and Gwen Stefani once argued over the spelling of bananas.
Continue readingThe disturbing joy of a new romance.
I’m mostly sharing this ad just for that one line of copy. It’s a beaut.
Bone shards:
Laughter was Germaine Monteil’s first perfume. It was later rebranded as Rigolade, which is French for “joke”.
Laughter took eight years to develop. “It smells good too.” — Esquire, 1951
“Beauty is not a gift, rather the combination of natural charisms, personal style and expert care.” — Germaine Monteil
Is laughter the best medicine?
Continue readingFor real ball handling…
Bone shards:
Who is that white dude, err, I mean that nearly unstoppable offensive juggernaut?
Rick Barry’s free throws were underhanded, granny-style, or granny shots, which some of you may remember from a certain Will Ferrell basketball movie.
Behold, the great and wondrous Julius Erving / Dr. J.
During World War II, Spalding helped manufacture M1918 Browning Automatic Rifles.
Continue readingOh, like a wizard bear never grabbed your ass while you were playing video games in the shopping mall arcade.
Bone shards:
Bentley Bear makes an appearance in Wreck-It Ralph!
Crystal Castles was a trackball game. And now I’m having Marble Madness flashbacks.
Crystal Castles is now a Canadian band.
Continue reading