Weird Universe Blog — October 4, 2024
Slammed door, house fell down #2
Four years ago we posted about the case of Mary Adams of Stockport, England, who slammed her front door shut, causing the house to fall down.The exact same thing happened to Claudine Rossi of Caderousse, France in 1971. She left her house to go shopping, slammed the front door shut, and the whole building fell down.
If I can find one more example of this phenomenon, I'll classify it as 'no longer weird'.
Daily Mirror - Oct 23, 1971
Posted By: Alex - Fri Oct 04, 2024 -
Comments (0)
Category: Architecture | 1970s
The Dwarf Cars of Ernie Adams
His website is here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Oct 04, 2024 -
Comments (2)
Category: Enlargements, Miniatures, and Other Matters of Scale | Hobbies and DIY | Cars
October 3, 2024
Jackson Whitlow, the Mountain Faster
Jackson Whitlow made headlines in 1937 by fasting for 52 days. He did it because he said God had told him to. He broke his fast with elderberry wine and squirrel broth.About a year later God told Whitlow to live in a cave. His condition rapidly deteriorated and by the start of 1939 he was dead. According to Whitlow, this was also "the Lord's will".
Atlanta Journal - Jan 2, 1939
Posted By: Alex - Thu Oct 03, 2024 -
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Category: Religion | 1930s | Dieting and Weight Loss
Seated Sleeping Aid
Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Oct 03, 2024 -
Comments (3)
Category: Inventions | Patents | Medicine | Sleep and Dreams | 1910s
October 2, 2024
The Thousand Egg Club
Do you eat at least 1000 eggs a year? If so, you're a member of the 'Thousand Egg Club.'The club was created by the National Poultry and Egg Board in 1957. Several political figures who swore to eat 1000 eggs a year were given certificates of memberships. But as far as I know, the general public couldn't send away for a certificate.
I usually eat two eggs for breakfast every day. But I doubt I eat enough eggs in addition to that to reach 1000.
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle - Mar 27, 1957
Glen Falls Post-Star - July 31, 1959
Posted By: Alex - Wed Oct 02, 2024 -
Comments (2)
Category: Clubs, Fraternities and Other Self-selecting Organizations | Eggs | 1950s
Asparagus, by Suzan Pitt
Let us know when you bail!The creator's Wikipedia page.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Oct 02, 2024 -
Comments (3)
Category: Surrealism | Cartoons | Stop-motion Animation | 1970s
October 1, 2024
Miss Furniture
She won $2000 worth of furniture. In today's money that's almost $25,000. That's a decent amount of furniture.
Pottstown Mercury - Aug 16, 1954
Allentown Morning Call - Aug 23, 1954
Posted By: Alex - Tue Oct 01, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests | Furniture | 1950s
Mr. President Game
Just in case you have not gotten your fill of politics this year, why not search out a copy of the Mr. President Game and play a few rounds?Visit Board Game Geek for details.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Oct 01, 2024 -
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Category: Games | Politics | 1960s
September 30, 2024
The Cat Hat of Kate Fearing Strong
In 1883, William and Alva Vanderbilt spent $250,000 to throw a fancy dress ball. That's the equivalent of around $6 million in today's money. The most memorable outfit was worn by Kate Fearing Strong. Her nickname was 'Puss', so she came dressed as a cat. As reported by the New York Times:
New York Times - Mar 27, 1883
The cats on her dress and hat were real cats — skinned and taxidermied.
More info: "Vanderbilt Ball: How a costume ball changed New York elite society"
Kate Fearing Strong wearing her cat hat
Posted By: Alex - Mon Sep 30, 2024 -
Comments (4)
Category: Headgear | Cats | Nineteenth Century
Follies of the Madmen #607
Next time a female police officer stops you, ask if she's wearing Eiderlon panties.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Sep 30, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Fashion | Underwear | Advertising | 1960s
