Category:
Space Travel
Space Travel
Zero Gravity Toilet Instructions
This has been circulating around for a while, but it was new to me so perhaps it'll be new to others as well.In one scene during 2001: A Space Odyssey, the character of Dr. Heywood Floyd uses a "zero gravity toilet" while he's on the space station. He's shown briefly examining the lengthy list of instructions on the wall next to the toilet.
Stanley Kubrick was so obsessive over details that, instead of using gobbledygook, placeholder text for the sign, he actually had someone create a list of toilet instructions. Film buffs have extracted this text, and it's available for purchase as a poster (perhaps to hang in your bathroom) or printed on a t-shirt. (I won't link to any specific retailers, but they're easy enough to find using Google).
Far Out magazine suggests the zero-gravity toilet instructions may have deeper meaning within the broader context of the film:
Perhaps, thus the ‘zero-gravity’ toilet instruction is the only intentional joke in the film. In a scene aboard the space station, Floyd is seen peering at a detailed and convoluted instruction manual on the use of the zero-gravity toilet. Kubrick’s disdain of instructions for the understanding of the film highlights the irony of a page long instructions from the zero-gravity toilets. In an interview, Kubrick’s explained the zero-gravity toilet was the only intentional joke in the film. That evolution and technological advancement would lead to convoluting of tending to basic human needs is well worth a snigger. Despite its ambiguity, Kubrick doesn’t “want to spell out a verbal roadmap for 2001”. Kubrick’s film doesn’t come with an instruction manual, but the zero-gravity toilet does.
Posted By: Alex - Fri Aug 13, 2021 -
Comments (3)
Category: Bathrooms, Movies, Space Travel
The Lunar Hilton
Back in 1967, as the first landing on the moon approached, Hilton prepared plans for opening hotels in space. They envisioned first opening an Orbiter Hilton, soon to be followed by a Lunar Hilton.Details from an article in the Boston Globe (July 20, 1969):
The first moon tourists will enjoy comfortable earth-style living in a tri-level underground resort. Bottom level will contain mechanical equipment and the center level will consist of two 400 feet guest corridors containing 100 rooms. Top level will be for public space.
Hilton said the three floors will eliminate elevators and should minimize power requirements. Multi-story underground moon hotels will come later.
Guest rooms will have wall-to-wall television for closed circuitry views of space and to receive programs from earth. A nuclear reactor kitchen will prepare dehydrated freeze dry foods. Cleaning will be done by small laser units.
The Lunar Hilton's most popular spot will probably be the Galaxy Lounge where thermopane windows will provide a view of outer space and earth. Pre-measured, pre-cooled, "instant" drinks will be served by push buttons.
Hilton said the three floors will eliminate elevators and should minimize power requirements. Multi-story underground moon hotels will come later.
Guest rooms will have wall-to-wall television for closed circuitry views of space and to receive programs from earth. A nuclear reactor kitchen will prepare dehydrated freeze dry foods. Cleaning will be done by small laser units.
The Lunar Hilton's most popular spot will probably be the Galaxy Lounge where thermopane windows will provide a view of outer space and earth. Pre-measured, pre-cooled, "instant" drinks will be served by push buttons.
Hilton even created a key for a room in its lunar hotel and printed up a form so that people could book a reservation.
More info: CNN Travel
Posted By: Alex - Mon Jul 05, 2021 -
Comments (3)
Category: Hotels, Space Travel, 1960s
King Dinosaur
The Wikipedia page.
Posted By: Paul - Mon May 31, 2021 -
Comments (1)
Category: Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art, Movies, Dinosaurs and Other Extinct Creatures, Science Fiction, Space Travel, 1950s
“Wonder” by Ebony Buckle
London-based singer/songwriter Ebony Buckle is back with her latest single “Wonder”. The track is inspired by the world’s loneliest whale. “52” was first discovered in the 80s, singing at a frequency of 52hz (higher than any species known to humans). It was believed that this whale would not be heard by any of the other whales in the ocean, but now after decades of research, there is another theory that the whale’s song is heard by all other whales, as it stands out with its uniqueness. In awe of this natural wonder, Buckle wanted to give us a different perspective of the whale, turning her into an interdimensional traveler, who has lost contact with her home planet. The whale calls and calls for companionship, as she drifts further away.
Source of text.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Feb 25, 2021 -
Comments (1)
Category: Animals, Fey, Twee, Whimsical, Naive and Sadsack, Music, Oceans and Maritime Pursuits, Space Travel, United Kingdom
What we’ll wear in space
So, what was the logic of the single arm emerging from the chest?
Mechanix Illustrated - Jan 1956
Posted By: Alex - Tue May 28, 2019 -
Comments (5)
Category: Fashion, Space Travel, 1950s
Tarco Space Pilot Helmet, 1952
The sound of whizzing in space.
[via bifurcated rivets]
Posted By: Alex - Tue Jan 13, 2015 -
Comments (6)
Category: Toys, Space Travel, Headgear, 1950s
John Glenn’s Fireflies
Did pioneer astronaut John Glenn see aliens?
Not likely.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Aug 05, 2014 -
Comments (4)
Category: Aliens, Space Travel, 1960s, Natural Wonders
The Certainty of a Future Life In Mars
Did you know that when you die, your soul goes to a new life on Mars?You can read all about it right here.
Here's what happens when the new soul first arrives.
Here's a little scholarly perspective.
Source.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Mar 24, 2014 -
Comments (7)
Category: Death, Religion, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Space Travel, 1900s
Gumby on the Moon
I tend to forget--and perhaps a younger generation never knew--just how weird Gumby was, right from his first adventure, seen here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Aug 05, 2013 -
Comments (3)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Family, Surrealism, Stop-motion Animation, Space Travel, 1950s
Where are our space helmets?
Here's another prediction of yesteryear that never panned out. Found in the Kingsport News - Apr 2, 1959:J. McLaren Thomson, president of the National Hairdressers Federation, predicts that both men and women will have their hair short by 1999 so that they can wear space helmets. He said women will have a collection of wigs to wear with special dresses for gala occasions.
Posted By: Alex - Sun May 12, 2013 -
Comments (4)
Category: Space Travel, Hair Styling, Headgear, Yesterday’s Tomorrows
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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 |