Weird Universe Blog — July 16, 2020
The Working Couple’s Cookbook
The gimmick of this cookbook, published in 1971, was that it was striking a blow for Women's Lib by offering instructions for what both HIM and HER could do to prepare a meal.From a review by James Boyett (pictured below):
While most of the tasks the man is required to accomplish require only the knowledge of how to use a rolling pin or knife, I will warn you now that a couple of the recipes require the man to cook the meat — steak, pork chops.
One recipe, heaven forbid, asks the better half to only lay the table and then relax—while the man is required to open a couple of cans and then slave over a hot stove while "she" sips the fruit of the vine and relaxes.
More info: Awful Library Books
Abilene Reporter-News - Jan 23, 1972
Posted By: Alex - Thu Jul 16, 2020 -
Comments (4)
Category: Food | Gender | Books | 1970s
Wakarusa Dime Store Sodas
The Wakarusa Dime Store in Indiana sells some weird stuff, most notably a variety of strange sodas. Unfortunately, you have to pick up in person.More flavors than these at the site.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jul 16, 2020 -
Comments (5)
Category: Regionalism | Soda, Pop, Soft Drinks and other Non-Alcoholic Beverages
July 15, 2020
The Fashion Predictions of B.H. Myerson
If he had said the 1980s instead of the 50s, he wouldn't have been that far off.
Akron Beacon Journal - Jan 27, 1931
Saint Joseph Herald-Press - Feb 2, 1931
Posted By: Alex - Wed Jul 15, 2020 -
Comments (6)
Category: Fashion | 1930s | Yesterday’s Tomorrows
The Wreck of the City of San Francisco
One weird thing about this once-famous train crash: no perp was ever found.
Even with this lead, from a contemporary account.
Rather reminiscent of the One-Armed Man from the 1960s TV show THE FUGITIVE.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jul 15, 2020 -
Comments (2)
Category: Death | Destruction | Unsolved Mysteries | 1930s | 1960s | Trains
July 14, 2020
Will to be read in 2163
Adolph Metzer loved cats and dogs. So, in his will, he gave $1000 to the city of Evanston, as well as to ten states, with the stipulation that the money be put in a bank account and not touched until 2163. By that time, he figured, his money would have grown to $201,559,641.30. All of which could be spent to help homeless cats and dogs.I haven't been able to find out what happened to his money. My guess is that it's long gone.
Washington Post - Mar 13, 1913
Posted By: Alex - Tue Jul 14, 2020 -
Comments (6)
Category: Death | Law | 1910s
The Sister-in-Law
Posted By: Paul - Tue Jul 14, 2020 -
Comments (0)
Category: Family | Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art | Movies | Sexuality | 1970s
July 13, 2020
The rare 1943 copper penny
1943 copper pennies are among the most-sought after coins by collectors. In 2010, one of them sold for $1.7 million. Although around $200,000 seems to be what most of them fetch.
The reason for their value is that so few of them exist. In 1943, due to the war, pennies were made out of zinc-coated steel. But somehow approximately 40 copper ones were made by accident.
For several decades the US Mint denied the existence of 1943 copper pennies (see news clipping below). It wasn't until a few showed up, and were authenticated by experts, that the mint changed its tune. Now it states:
Some strange rumors have circulated about the 1943 copper pennies. Such as that if you found one the Ford motor company would give you a free car. Not true, though if you find one, you could afford to buy quite a few cars. And a few of these pennies are potentially still in circulation.
More info: definition.org
Battle Creek Enquirer - Mar 7, 1963
Posted By: Alex - Mon Jul 13, 2020 -
Comments (3)
Category: Money | Collectors | 1940s
The Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome
The Wikipedia page.
Anger is still with us, as of this writing, and looking pretty scary.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Jul 13, 2020 -
Comments (0)
Category: Elderly and Seniors | Movies | Avant Garde | 1950s
July 12, 2020
Death by carrot juice
It was probably the enormous quantities of Vitamin A pills that Basil Brown was taking which actually killed him. Though the daily gallon of carrot juice certainly contributed.More info: NY Times
Ottawa Citizen - Feb 15, 1974
Posted By: Alex - Sun Jul 12, 2020 -
Comments (6)
Category: Death | Vegetables | 1970s
Digital Rubik’s Cube
A toy that seemed utterly immune to becoming digital...was not.Review and details here.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Jul 12, 2020 -
Comments (3)
Category: Excess, Overkill, Hyperbole and Too Much Is Not Enough | Technology | Toys
