Weird Universe Archive

February 2014

February 28, 2014

Hand Embroidery




The hand embroidery art of Eliza Bennett. She explains on her site:

Using my own hand as a base material, I considered it a canvas upon which I stitched into the top layer of skin using thread to create the appearance of an incredibly work worn hand. By using the technique of embroidery, traditionally employed to represent femininity and applying it to the expression of it’s opposite, I hope to challenge the pre-conceived notion that ‘women’s work’ is light and easy. Aiming to represent the effects of hard work arising from employment in low paid ancillary jobs such as cleaning, caring, and catering, all traditionally considered to be ‘women’s work’.

Posted By: Alex - Fri Feb 28, 2014 - Comments (10)
Category: Art

February 27, 2014

The Cheese Test

A clip from the late-80's cable access program "The Eddie Marshall Show." The guy in the video, Toby Radloff, is actually famous enough to have his own Wikipedia page.

Posted By: Alex - Thu Feb 27, 2014 - Comments (15)
Category: Eccentrics, 1980s

Wish List

Posted By: Paul - Thu Feb 27, 2014 - Comments (3)
Category: Aliens, Anthropomorphism, Body Modifications, Emotions, Surrealism, Cartoons

February 26, 2014

The Great Garloo



How many toy trains sets were destroyed by Garloo? Although his fearsomeness is somewhat weakened by his receiving a smooch from the little girl.

In color!

image

Posted By: Paul - Wed Feb 26, 2014 - Comments (9)
Category: Toys, 1960s, Fictional Monsters

Suitcase Furniture

From design firm Nieuwe Heren.

Just four travel bags,
 but linked together it reminds you of home.
 Your couch on a remote location. But also on airports and train stations, you can bring a little homish comfort
 and a feeling of safety with you.




Posted By: Alex - Wed Feb 26, 2014 - Comments (10)
Category: Furniture, Travel

February 25, 2014

Guardian of Morals


Louis Croteau (seated, holding the magazine) was Secretary of the New England Watch and Ward Society, which was initially known as the New England Society for the Suppression of Vice. It was this society's self-appointed job to identify and root out filth wherever it reared its ugly head. These were the folks responsible for getting Lady Chatterly's Lover banned.

During the 1930s, the focus of the Society shifted to burlesque shows. A Washington Times article (reviewing the book Banned in Boston) notes:

The downtown entertainment district, including the Old Howard, one of the most celebrated burlesque palaces of the city, became the society’s glittering new target. Watch and Ward investigators diligently made weekly visits to various shows, documenting each shimmying and grinding performance in detailed reports.

It was a tough job, but someone had to do it.

In the picture above, taken in 1943, Croteau critically eyes a Varga girl illustration in Esquire magazine, as the attorney for the magazine looks over his shoulder. Surprisingly, Croteau testified on behalf of Esquire, arguing that the magazine was decent fare. Perhaps all the burlesque shows he had sat through had, by then, made him more appreciative of a little skin.

Posted By: Alex - Tue Feb 25, 2014 - Comments (18)
Category: Censorship, Bluenoses, Taboos, Prohibitions and Other Cultural No-No’s

February 24, 2014

Bunnies Galore


A Japanese island that during WWII held secret poison gas producing factories now is home to something much more pleasant. Herds of friendly bunnies who love to be fed and petted as you can see by the delightful video above.

Posted By: Alex - Mon Feb 24, 2014 - Comments (5)
Category: Animals

Smoke Messages

This iPhone add-on, created by Dennis Be Bel, allows two people to send each other smoke messages. It's called the Smoke Messaging Service, or SMS. But the two have two agree in advance on what the smoke signals mean. [via likecool]

Posted By: Alex - Mon Feb 24, 2014 - Comments (3)
Category: Technology, Telephones

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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.

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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.

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