October 2017
October 26, 2017
All Are Welcome
There's been controversy recently in the town of Groton, Massachusetts over eight stone markers that were installed on roads leading into the town engraved with the phrase "Town of Groton — All Are Welcome."Some citizens expressed concern that the phrase might be taken literally, and that "those with a criminal or terrorist background" might feel they were being invited in. Others worried that it was some kind of veiled political message, implying the town intended to become a sanctuary city for immigrants and refugees. There was a suggestion that the markers be replaced with ones that simply said 'Welcome.'
It looks like the critics have been silenced for now and the stone markers will remain where they are.
More info: Boston Magazine
Posted By: Alex - Thu Oct 26, 2017 -
Comments (12)
Category: Signage
Jack Punter’s House
Posted By: Paul - Thu Oct 26, 2017 -
Comments (3)
Category: Architecture, Domestic, Eccentrics, 1950s
October 25, 2017
Big Earl the Beer-Drinking Pig
Big Earl was a talented pig. He could drink a can of beer while standing on his hind legs, and then he'd eat the can. He performed this stunt in various barrooms, until the State Liquor Commission found out what was going on and ordered Big Earl to stop, citing a law against bringing pigs into bars.At least, that's how a lot of newspapers reported the story. But it seems there was also a more disturbing part to Big Earl's act. In addition to eating the beer can, he would also eat a live chicken. Someone called to complain, and that's what got his act banned.
Philadelphia Inquirer - May 10, 1975
Minneapolis Star - May 15, 1975
Posted By: Alex - Wed Oct 25, 2017 -
Comments (1)
Category: Animals, 1970s
Too Many Tigers
In favor of species extinctions.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Oct 25, 2017 -
Comments (4)
Category: Animals, Music, 1960s
October 24, 2017
How to pepper a ceiling
The ingenuity of teenagers knows no bounds.
The Salem News - Sep 17, 1953
Posted By: Alex - Tue Oct 24, 2017 -
Comments (4)
Category: 1950s, Pranks
Paperbacks from Hell
For Halloween or Xmas, what could be a better gift? A brilliant art and history book about the crazy-ass horror novel covers of yore?
Read a review here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Oct 24, 2017 -
Comments (1)
Category: Horror, Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art, Books, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s
October 23, 2017
Miss Food Freezer
Continuing our exploration of strange beauty contests, here's the Miss Food Freezer contest of 1951.
Arizona Republic - Mar 6, 1951
The favorite to win seemed to be Marianne Davis, who had already won the title of Miss General Electric. I could be wrong, but in the publicity photo below I think they've got her wrapped in freezer wrap while she sits on top of a deep freeze.
Arizona Republic - Mar 19, 1951
And sure enough, Marianne Davis won the coveted title of Miss Food Freezer. As far as I can tell, 1951 was the only year the contest was held. So she was the one and only Miss Food Freezer.
Arizona Republic - Mar 24, 1951
Posted By: Alex - Mon Oct 23, 2017 -
Comments (5)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Appliances, 1950s
Mystery Illustration 60
Can the appearance of all these white males from 1957 lead us to guess what their common bond was? Judges? Cops? Farmers? Fuller Brush salesmen?
The original has gone dark behind the CHICAGO TRIBUNE ARCHIVES paywall. But luckily I saved the answer--after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Mon Oct 23, 2017 -
Comments (5)
Category: 1950s, Men
October 22, 2017
Thong Jeans
Japanese designer Thibaut recently presented this new style in jeans at Amazon Fashion Week in Tokyo.More info: Yahoo! Style
Posted By: Alex - Sun Oct 22, 2017 -
Comments (3)
Category: Fashion, Denim
Village of the Giants
"From a novel by H. G. Wells!" Yeah, right....
The Wikipedia page.
The full movie, via MST3K.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Oct 22, 2017 -
Comments (1)
Category: Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art, Movies, Juvenile Delinquency, Teenagers, Science Fiction, 1960s
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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. Chuck Shepherd Chuck is the purveyor of News of the Weird, the syndicated column which for decades has set the gold-standard for reporting on oddities and the bizarre. Our banner was drawn by the legendary underground cartoonist Rick Altergott. Contact Us |
