In 1961, the French patent office granted Robert-Oropei Martino a patent for a method of placing advertisements on fish. From his patent (translated via Google Translate):
It is known that the effect of advertising is largely determined by the medium chosen for it. It is recognized that advertising carried out on a mobile medium, in particular rotating, attracts much more attention than the same advertising on a fixed medium. Similarly, advertising on a medium not previously used is more effective than that carried by the usual media. According to the present invention, a particularly effective advertisement is produced by having it carried by fish in an aquarium, pond or other...
It is obviously possible to imagine many ways of having advertising carried by fish. According to the invention, a corset is preferably used, made to the dimensions of the subject in a material that is sufficiently flexible not to hinder it, and which is closed on it by any appropriate means. Such a corset can advantageously be made of plastic and it is possible to conform it to any profile deemed desirable. Preferably, to allow the fish complete freedom to flex its body around a vertical axis, the corset itself is provided with a very small width and is extended towards the rear or towards the front by panels or strips that are entirely free from each other and on which any desired printing or design can be provided. The attached drawing, given as an example, will allow a better understanding of the invention, the characteristics that it presents and the advantages that it is likely to provide...
It is understood that many corset conformations can be imagined, in particular depending on the anatomical conditions of the fish. Instead of using a complete corset properly speaking, it would obviously be possible to arrange a half corset visible on one side only and fixed in place in any appropriate manner, or even a simple panel suitably attached to the body of the fish.
On the other hand, although it seems advantageous to present the fish in an aquarium, the invention could also be implemented with fish placed in a pond or a body of water, the important thing being simply that the fish is perfectly visible and that the corset or other support that it carries can be clearly distinguished and detailed by the spectators.
The "46 reasons" were actually one reason based on flawed science.
A 1967 study had shown that LSD could cause a two-fold increase in chromosomal breaks in cell cultures. But subsequent studies showed that the breaks were a result of the concentrations of the drug being used — and that pretty much ANY substance, in similar concentrations, would cause chromosomal breaks. In fact, there was no evidence that LSD caused significant chromosomal breaks or was a carcinogen.
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.