1940s
Mystery Illustration 90
Still from a sci-fi flick, or real outfit?The answer is here.
Or after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Mon Dec 30, 2019 -
Comments (0)
Category: Movies, Technology, 1940s
Shaving with X-rays
It wasn't long after the discovery of x-rays, that people realized they could be used to remove body hair. In 1899, the American X-Ray Journal noted the "epilating properties of the X-Rays," and suggested that hair removal might be a profitable side-business for x-ray technicians.However, as far as I can tell, it wasn't until 1945 that anyone got around to patenting the idea of x-ray hair removal. The patent was granted to Violet Arnold of Detroit. Columnist Frederick Othman wrote about it in a Dec 1945 column:
Miss Arnold's shave consists of two X-ray treatments of five to ten minutes each with the rays going through an aluminum plate before they hit the whiskers. That makes 'em curl up. Then she attacks the wilted whiskers nine more times in five weeks with rays going through aluminum and a bottle of water, too.
Amarillo Globe Times - Dec 3, 1945
The X-ray razor never caught on, probably because of the risk of serious, disfiguring burns. However, the idea lingered on in popular culture for a few years and was featured in several ad campaigns.
Crowley Post-Signal - Dec 12, 1952
Washington Court House Record-Herals - Jan 6, 1953
Posted By: Alex - Sun Dec 29, 2019 -
Comments (6)
Category: Inventions, Technology, 1940s
Don’t Do It Santa!
Arrow Shirts — saving Santa from suicide!
Posted By: Alex - Wed Dec 25, 2019 -
Comments (1)
Category: Advertising, 1940s, Christmas
Best Undressed Woman of the Year
In 1940, the New York Art Students' League awarded a title it called the "Best Undressed Woman of the Year." They chose actress Janice Logan as the winner.The art students apparently intended this as a satirical response to the media's love for declaring various actresses as the 'best dressed' woman of the year. 1940 seems to have been the only year in which they awarded the title, and it doesn't seem like winning the award did much for Logan's career.
The Davenport Daily Times - Feb 26, 1940
Posted By: Alex - Thu Dec 12, 2019 -
Comments (2)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, 1940s
Follies of the Madmen #456
Who knew gas pumps were such gossips?
Source.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Dec 10, 2019 -
Comments (6)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Business, Advertising, Motor Vehicles, 1940s
Ex-Lax Movies
An 'Ex-Lax Movie' doesn't sound like something I'd want to watch. Actually, it's something I'd actively avoid. And I can't imagine the phrase sounded much better back in 1939 and '40 when Ex-Lax ran these ads in magazines such as Life and Woman's Home Companion.
Betty: I don't know which is worse... constipation or the remedy!
Sally: You're silly to punish yourself that way. Why don't you try Ex-Lax?
Betty: Ex-Lax? You expect that to work for me... a little chocolate tablet?
Sally: Don't let its pleasant taste deceive you. Ex-Lax is a dependable laxative—thorough and effective!
LATER
Betty: No more strong, bad-tasting laxatives for me! That Ex-Lax was just the thing. It fixed me up fine!
Sally: What did I tell you! We've used Ex-Lax in our family for over 30 years.
Mr. A: Whew! I hate the very thought of having to take a cathartic.
Mr. B: You wouldn't if you'd try Ex-Lax. It tastes swell—just like chocolate.
Mr. A: Ex-Lax? That's what we give the youngsters. What I need is dynamite!
Mr. B: Don't kid yourself! Ex-Lax is plenty effective, if that's what's worrying you!
LATER
Mr. A: Boy, I feel like a million this morning! That Ex-Lax sure is great stuff!
Mr. B: You said it, pal! We've been using Ex-Lax in our family for more than thirty years!
Mr. Wright: Gee, Honey, this stuff is awful! Why do all laxatives taste so bad?
Mrs. Wright: All of them don't. Ex-Lax tastes like delicious chocolate.
Mr. Wright: Ex-Lax! That's all right for you and Junior, but I need something stronger!
Mrs. Wright: No you don't! Ex-Lax is as effective as any bad-tasting cathartic.
LATER
Mr. Wright: I sure am glad I took your advice. It's Ex-Lax for me from now on.
Mrs. Wright: Yes, with Ex-Lax in the medicine chest we don't need any other laxative!
Posted By: Alex - Fri Dec 06, 2019 -
Comments (3)
Category: Advertising, Excrement, 1940s
Prices Unlimited
Greedy, unpatriotic girls receive a visit from the Ghost of Meat Rationing Present.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Nov 30, 2019 -
Comments (2)
Category: Food, PSA’s, Public Humiliation, War, 1940s
Bewitched by a sandwich
Compelling excuse. Back in 1947, when police apprehended 18-year-old Raymond Adame as he was attempting to kidnap Celina Jarmillo, he explained, "Last April she made me a sandwich of potatoes, beans, and macaroni, and according to our legend she bewitched me... I couldn't get out of her spell."
Vancouver Sun - Nov 7, 1947
Celina Jarmillo
Raymond Adame
source: Los Angeles Public Library
A follow-up report, from January 1948, noted that Adame was, in the end, only charged with assault rather than kidnapping. And it revealed that the bewitching sandwich had also included "fish eyes".
Does that literally mean eyes from fish, or is "fish eyes" a term for some less disgusting type of food?
Arizona Daily Star - Jan 9, 1948
Posted By: Alex - Fri Nov 29, 2019 -
Comments (5)
Category: Crime, Food, 1940s
Follies of the Madmen #453
The wealthy always employ midgets to help them dress. Seriously, what size is that person standing on the chair? Maybe the gal in undergarments is a giant?
Source.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Nov 18, 2019 -
Comments (0)
Category: Ambiguity, Uncertainty and Deliberate Obscurity, Business, Advertising, Confusion, Misunderstanding, and Incomprehension, Excess, Overkill, Hyperbole and Too Much Is Not Enough, Surrealism, Underwear, 1940s
Right and Wrong in Fashion
"Street Fashion Critic:" good excuse to ogle women.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Nov 16, 2019 -
Comments (3)
Category: Experts and Authority Figures, Fashion, 1940s
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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 |