War
Drip Fire Rifle
Invented by Lance Corporal William Charles Scurry during WWI, while fighting in Gallipoli. The Drip Fire Rifle was a way to jerry-rig a rifle using readily available materials so that it would randomly fire on its own. The Australian forces set up a whole bunch of these Drip Fire Rifles, and in this way were able to fool the Turkish forces into thinking they were actively manning the front lines, when in fact they were all sneaking away in boats. From abc.net.au:
Posted By: Alex - Sat Sep 16, 2017 -
Comments (1)
Category: Inventions, War, Weapons, 1910s
Peace Pilgrim II
The Peace Pilgrim (aka Mildred Lisette Norman) is fairly famous. In 1953 she began walking across America, wearing a shirt that said "Peace Pilgrim," and vowed to keep walking "until mankind has learned the way of peace." She was already an experienced walker when she started this, having been the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian trail in one season. She walked for 28 years until her death in 1981, logging over 25,000 miles.Peace Pilgrim II (aka Ronald Podrow) isn't quite as famous or inspirational. In 1989, inspired by the first Peace Pilgrim, he adopted her name and also began walking to promote peace. But unlike her, he wasn't an experienced walker. From wikipedia:
Peace Pilgrim II wrote a book about his experiences, Enjoying the Journey: The Adventures, Travels, and Teachings of Peace Pilgrim II. It was published in 1995.
More info.
Posted By: Alex - Sun Jul 02, 2017 -
Comments (5)
Category: Exercise and Fitness, War
The Sky Is Your Target!
"Air Flash from the Joneses!" What if they had to deal with drones?
Posted By: Paul - Tue Feb 14, 2017 -
Comments (3)
Category: War, Civic Duties, Air Travel and Airlines, 1950s
The Pantheon de la Guerre
What was once the world's largest painting featured 6000 identifiable real-world figures. The postcard below represents just a fragment of it.Full story here.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Feb 11, 2017 -
Comments (2)
Category: Art, War, 1910s
Don’t Waste Paper
In 1918, the U.S. War Industries Board ran ads in magazines and newspapers urging everyone to save paper. The reason: "Paper contains valuable chemicals necessary for war purposes. Economy in the use of paper will release a large quantity of these materials for making poisonous gas."All patriots were urged to do their part to help "Gas the Fiendish Huns."
The Illustrated Milliner - Sep 28, 1918
The more of this powerful gas we have at the battle front the more of our boys' lives we save and the quicker we will win the final victory.
Do not waste a scrap of paper.
Posted By: Alex - Fri Oct 14, 2016 -
Comments (2)
Category: War, 1910s
Follies of the Madmen #293
Death-dealing war instrument of mass destruction compared to treasured hymn.
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Sep 26, 2016 -
Comments (6)
Category: Death, War, Armed Forces, Weapons, Advertising, 1970s
Early Car Bomb and/or Guided Missile
Original article here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Sep 13, 2016 -
Comments (9)
Category: Inventions, War, Weapons, 1910s, Cars
Escape Training
Just in case ISIS captures you on your next Middle Eastern vacation.
Posted By: Paul - Wed May 11, 2016 -
Comments (7)
Category: PSA's, War, Armed Forces, 1950s
Trimming Beets for Victory!
WWII was won through strategic use of beets--apparently. No sound on this video.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Mar 07, 2016 -
Comments (7)
Category: Agriculture, Boredom, Food, PSA's, War, 1940s
Captain Tick-Mouse
Original images here.
I am not sure having a rat-like figure as your patriotic icon is the best choice of imagery.
Here is a little background on the character, from this source.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Dec 01, 2015 -
Comments (6)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Politics, Propaganda, Thought Control and Brainwashing, War, 1910s
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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 books such as Elephants on Acid. 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. Our banner was drawn by the legendary underground cartoonist Rick Altergott. Contact Us |