Did you know the original snake oil was actually good for something?
“Colorful names and even more colorful claims.”
Learn some signs of medical quackery.
Continue reading…prevents CHOLERA and all manner of Epidemic Diseases…
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Tag Archives: vintage
Don’t forget the ripcord!
Bone Shards:
Looks like Marie McMillin was a real person and so is the story. (The actual dialogue might’ve been altered somewhat for marketing purposes.)
And the Internet being the Internet, somebody asked if it’s possible to smoke a cigarette while skydiving.
Continue readingWhen her pants are white, she’s in a plight.
[Pursesnatcher going through stolen bag…] “Hey! Cigars!”
It looks like the uncredited artist was Mort Drucker of MAD Magazine fame. Rest in peace, Mort. Also, rest in peace, MAD Magazine.
Pursette’s company, Campana, had one heck of a factory building in Batavia.
“How do you sell what you can’t talk about?”
Continue readingStiff Competition
What a lovely and fashionable girl.
What do you suppose the 1913 ad she was featured in was selling?
Go ahead, take a guess.
An upscale department store?
No.
The season’s latest fur styles?
No.
A vacation to exotic Canada?
No.
Embalming fluid?
What are you, some kind of wise guy!?
Oh, wait…
You’re right!
It’s an ad for embalming fluid.
D-uh. It’s so obvious now!
Bone Shards:
Ripley’s has a lovely handful of weird embalming stories just waiting for you.
The next time you’re in Houston, don’t forget to stop at the National Museum of Funeral History. Slogan: “Any day above ground is a good one.”
I know! I’m sad I missed out on this auction too.
Continue readingSo much sugar, it’s almost unbearable.
This product has gone through a few name changes, from Happy Jax to Sugar Crisp to Super Sugar Crisp to Super Golden Crisp to Golden Crisp.
Bone Shards:
In 2008, Consumer Reports revealed a study that found two cereals that were more than 50% sugar. This was one of them, the other being Kellogg’s Honey Smacks (the one with the frog).
Bears have quite a history of liking the sweet stuff.
The first Ferris wheel was built for Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair by… George W.G. Ferris Jr.
Continue readingYou might feel a little prick.
Sometimes a cactus is just a cactus.
Elizabeth Arden was born Florence Nightingale Graham.
The history of lipstick? Well, if you insist.
Did you know drinking cactus water might not be such a good idea?
A $1.25 lipstick in 1948 would cost $13.72 today.
Continue readingIt’s nice, but is ain’t no Wagon Queen Family Truckster.
Speaking of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster…
Tilt steering is a comfort option? A decade earlier, it was a luxury option.
The Wagoneer is coming back… maybe.
Continue readingOne Horse is a-plenty!
Rhythm is gonna get you.
Slip into something a little more comfortable.
Enjoy a brief history of nylon from Mental Floss.
Enjoy a less-brief history of nylon from Science History Institute.
A little bit and a little bit more on “artist of the stars” Bradshaw Crandell.
Continue readingIf a frock has pockets, are the pockets called frockets?
Yes, yes they are, because I said so.
I believe this ad also promoted the horror movie, “Attack of the 50 Foot Magic-Plaid-Wearing Woman”.
In 1948, this company made dresses available in sizes 10 to 18. Did you know that dress sizes have changed dramatically over the years?
$6 in 1948 is equal to $65.89 in 2020.
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