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Category:
Nineteenth Century

Survey of Idiots

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How farsighted our ancestors of 1848 were, to commission such a report! It's about time for another one, I think. It might help us deal with our current political, cultural, economic, interpersonal and environmental messes.

The report is fascinating reading from start to finish, giving a wonderful taxonomy of idiots, such as below.

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Read your fill here. And please post your favorite quotes in the Comments.
Posted By: Paul | Date: Sun Apr 29, 2012 | Comments (10)
Category: Government, Nineteenth Century, Brain Damage

Long Lance



I'm trespassing on Alex's territory here, with an hour-length documentary on what was once a famous hoax.

Here's the story in a nutshell.

The Extraordinary Catalog of Peculiar Inventions

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I've just finished reading the fine book about weird fraternal lodge devices from a century ago. It would make a fine gift for any WU-vie.

Dr. Olgierd Lindan’s Collection of Unusual Medical Devices & Antique Electronics

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WU-vies will find much to amuse them on this page of weird medical gadgets.

One of the prime charlatans whose stuff is on display was a fellow named Dr. Albert Abrams pictured to the right.

You can read a book he wrote here.
Posted By: Paul | Date: Sat Nov 05, 2011 | Comments (5)
Category: Body, Frauds, Cons and Scams, Medicine, Body Fluids, 1910's, 1920's, 1900's, Nineteenth Century

Magic Lantern Slides



Prior to movies, magic lantern slides were omnipresent, cutting-edge entertainment. Consequently, the range of materials they covered--from juvenile to adult--was enormous--and often weird.





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Joseph Boggs Beale illo.

Article on Joseph Boggs Beale.

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Collection of slides online.
Posted By: Paul | Date: Wed Oct 05, 2011 | Comments (4)
Category: Entertainment, Technology, Nineteenth Century

Hamatsa



Did the Kwakiutl Indians practice cannibalism? Learn more here.



Posted By: Paul | Date: Mon Aug 08, 2011 | Comments (3)
Category: Cannibalism, Documentaries, North America, Nineteenth Century

Hiawatha



Enjoy a segment of one of the most-parodied poems in English.

I wonder what the official attitude of Native Americans is these days to Longfellow's work?

Posted By: Paul | Date: Sun Jun 12, 2011 | Comments (4)
Category: Stereotypes and Cliches, Poetry, Nineteenth Century

A True Work of Art



I think we can all agree that this is the way Van Gogh intended his work to be viewed.

Via Win!
Posted By: Salamander Sam | Date: Thu May 12, 2011 | Comments (4)
Category: Art, Avant Garde, Surrealism, Bacon, Nineteenth Century

Delightful Stories

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Apparently, our ancestors operated under a different meaning of the word "delightful" than we do today.
Posted By: Paul | Date: Thu Apr 07, 2011 | Comments (3)
Category: Death, Religion, Books, Nineteenth Century
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All original content in posts is Copyright © 2008 by the author of the post, either Alex Boese ("Alex"), Paul Di Filippo ("Paul"), or Chuck Shepherd ("Chuck"). All rights reserved. The banner illustration at the top of this page is Copyright © 2008 by Rick Altergott.