The Stay-Alert Game

Briefly experimented with in 1969 as a way to motivate U.S. troops in Vietnam to stay alert, fight better, and avoid casualties. The idea was that combat would be turned into a game. Each platoon was awarded points for enemy troops killed, weapons captured, and rice caches discovered. But they lost points if they suffered any battle casualties. The winning platoon would receive two or three days off at a rest center.

Troops hated the stay-alert game, so it was quickly mothballed.

Appleton Post-Crescent - May 5, 1969

Posted By: Alex - Mon Sep 17, 2018 - Comments (0)
Category: Games, Military, War, Armed Forces, 1960s

The Seamaster Airplane

A jet that takes off and lands from water? Filled with nuclear bombs? What could go wrong?

Wikipedia page.





Source of foto.

Posted By: Paul - Sat Aug 25, 2018 - Comments (1)
Category: Oceans and Maritime Pursuits, Technology, War, Weapons, Air Travel and Airlines, 1950s

“Ubu” by Geoff Dunbar

Home page of creator.

Posted By: Paul - Sun Aug 19, 2018 - Comments (2)
Category: War, Surrealism, Cartoons, 1970s

Birds of South Vietnam

It wasn't the subject of this book that made it weird, but instead when it was published: in 1968, at the height of the war in Vietnam. Not a time when a lot of people were going to Vietnam for bird-watching.

The British author, Philip Wildash, didn't even mention the war, except to obliquely refer to it in the first sentence by saying, "Vietnamese ornithology has long been rather neglected."

Amazon link: Birds of South Vietnam.

Minneapolis Star Tribune - Oct 6, 1968

Posted By: Alex - Tue May 22, 2018 - Comments (2)
Category: Animals, Hobbies and DIY, War, Books, 1960s

Atomic Bomber Arcade Game

Original ad here.

Learn the history here, including a beautiful color pic of the actual machine.

Posted By: Paul - Sat Apr 28, 2018 - Comments (1)
Category: Death, Destruction, Games, War, 1940s

Rambo Bubble Gum

Raspberry-flavored gum shaped to resemble shrapnel or flak.

Went on sale in 1985, as a tie-in with the release of Rambo II.

image source: Candy Wrapper Museum

Wisconsin State Journal - Nov 3, 1985

Posted By: Alex - Wed Apr 11, 2018 - Comments (2)
Category: War, Candy, 1980s

Raus the Maus

Surely of interest to WU-vies.

Learn more here.

Posted By: Paul - Thu Mar 15, 2018 - Comments (1)
Category: Anthropomorphism, War, Cartoons, Europe, Twentieth Century

The Horned Helmet of Henry VIII

Pix and text here.

Posted By: Paul - Sun Feb 18, 2018 - Comments (0)
Category: Technology, War, Weapons, Sixteenth Century

Chet Huntley Explains the Strategic Air Command

Be sure to enjoy the SAC theme song starting around 6:30.

Posted By: Paul - Thu Feb 01, 2018 - Comments (7)
Category: Government, Music, War, Weapons, 1960s

Ronald’s no protester

But I wonder how Ronald ever got targeted by the selective service system if he hadn't registered yet.

Press and Sun Bulletin - Mar 13, 1968

Posted By: Alex - Mon Jan 15, 2018 - Comments (3)
Category: Military, War, 1960s