1940s
Patrick O’Connor, Wrestler and Artist
There aren't that many people who seriously pursue art and wrestling at the same time, but Patrick O'Connor was one of them. Back in the 1940s, he was heavyweight wrestling champion of Ireland, but also had a Greenwich Village art studio. He was an artist of the "conservative Realist and Romantic school." Apparently he viewed art as his true passion. Wrestling was just a way to make money. From The Evening Independent, Sep. 9, 1944:Unfortunately I haven't been able to find any examples of his art, except for the ones that can be seen behind him in the pictures below. O'Connor is the one with the beard. The pictures were taken in his art studio.
Posted By: Alex - Wed Jan 02, 2013 -
Comments (3)
Category: Art, Sports, Wrestling, 1940s
Garlic Fog Invades Los Angeles, 1949
Back in late 1949, people throughout Los Angeles County reported a strong odor that smelled like garlic. The smell persisted for weeks, periodically increasing in intensity. Some residents took to wearing gas masks. There were reports of the fumes being so strong that they discolored fences and buildings. There was a widespred fear that it was a poison gas attack.Despite a lot of speculation, I'm not sure that the source of the mystery odor was ever identified, although leading theories were that it was either coming from the Los Angeles River bed, or from a chemical factory. It became known as the invasion of the Garlic Fog. [Sydney Morning Herald, Aug 7, 1949] (via Buried Words and Bushwa)
Posted By: Alex - Fri Dec 14, 2012 -
Comments (6)
Category: Unsolved Mysteries, 1940s, Weather
Test Tube Babies
Intrigued by the trailer?
Watch the whole film below!
Posted By: Paul - Sun Oct 28, 2012 -
Comments (3)
Category: Family, Babies and Toddlers, Movies, Sexuality, 1940s, Pregnancy
Mystery Gadget 13
What could these masks be for? Find out here.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Oct 27, 2012 -
Comments (7)
Category: Technology, 1940s
Pedestrian Crossing
Our simpleton from "Coughs and Sneezes" returns.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Oct 25, 2012 -
Comments (4)
Category: Motor Vehicles, PSA’s, Urban Life, 1940s
Follies of the Mad Men #192
I wish Mr. Indigo Blue and Mr. Beamish Bright had become as popular as Goofus and Gallant. What adventures they could have had while conquering constipation!
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Oct 24, 2012 -
Comments (4)
Category: Bathrooms, Body, Business, Advertising, Products, Food, Stereotypes and Cliches, 1940s
Coughs and Sneezes
It's that time of the year again!
Posted By: Paul - Sat Oct 06, 2012 -
Comments (16)
Category: Hygiene, PSA’s, 1940s, Europe
Mystery Gadget 12
What is the purpose of this rig?
Find out here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Oct 02, 2012 -
Comments (16)
Category: Technology, 1940s
The Covered Wagon
Since readers seemed to enjoy Bill Haley's "Candy and Women," we now add another of his pre-rock'n'roll songs, which qualifies--by a couple of lines on Native Americans, and a general reckless disregard for human and animal life--for our category of pre-PC weirdness.
"Pappy wound up with four deuces, and the squaw with six papooses."
Posted By: Paul - Sat Sep 29, 2012 -
Comments (2)
Category: History, Music, Stereotypes and Cliches, 1940s, Native Americans
| Who We Are |
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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 |