Bensen Gyrocopters

Aren't drones a little wimpy, when you could be flying your own Bensen Gyrocopter?



Original ad here.

Heck, even Batman had one!

Posted By: Paul - Tue Aug 23, 2016 - Comments (10)
Category: Hobbies and DIY, Comics, Air Travel and Airlines, 1960s

Byron Randall, collector of potato mashers

Byron Randall (1918-1999) was an American West Coast artist, but he also received recognition as a collector of potato mashers.

He told a UPI reporter in 1984 that he started his collection not because of any special connection to potato mashers, but simply because he wanted to have a "unique collection." But he gave a more detailed explanation of the origin of his hobby in an interview with Wesley Joost and Jon Randall:


Randall also admitted that he didn't like potatoes themselves — just the mashers.

As of 1984, he had collected 384 mashers. I don't know how many he owned by the time he died. But he claimed that this was the biggest collection of potato mashers in the world.

The Idaho Potato Museum also has a large potato masher collection, which they acquired as a result of a Boy Scout's Eagle Project. So I emailed them to ask how big their collection is. A representative (Tish Dahmen) responded that they have "280 mashers on display then another box full."

She reckons that Randall's collection was larger, and unfortunately she has no idea what became of his mashers. But she added: "if you discover its whereabouts, please know that we’d be happy to house and exhibit it if his family or estate wants to donate to us … we will be happy to accept it!"

Finding a permanent home for a potato masher collection seems like a worthy project, so I'm working on it. There was once a Byron Randall Museum in Tomales, CA, where Randall lived and ran a bed-and-breakfast. Perhaps the museum acquired his collection. However, the museum doesn't have a website. So I don't know if it's still in existence.

I've contacted the Tomales Regional History Center to ask if they know where Randall's potato mashers are.

Idaho Potato Museum Masher Collection — via California or Bust!

Milwaukee Sentinel - May 4, 1984

The Pittsburgh Press - May 3, 1984

Posted By: Alex - Tue Aug 16, 2016 - Comments (6)
Category: Hobbies and DIY, Collectors

Co-Star Records

There were fifteen of these uniquely bizarre records.

The whole story is here.

Posted By: Paul - Mon May 30, 2016 - Comments (2)
Category: Amateurs and Fans, Celebrities, Hobbies and DIY, 1960s

Hawk Model Kits

Original ad here.

It might not be 1965 any longer, but thanks to a revival at Hawk Model Kits, you can get these wacky figurines new again.

Posted By: Paul - Tue Apr 19, 2016 - Comments (6)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Hobbies and DIY, Bohemians, Beatniks, Hippies and Slackers, 1960s

Know Your Missiles!

[Click to enlarge]

Original ad here.

Posted By: Paul - Sun Apr 10, 2016 - Comments (17)
Category: Hobbies and DIY, Children, 1950s, Weapons

John Q Public, Movie Mogul

Wow, imagine if you had to go thru all this to create a cat video for YouTube!

Posted By: Paul - Fri Oct 30, 2015 - Comments (3)
Category: Hobbies and DIY, Movies, 1950s

Seaweed Collecting

Back in the Victorian era, this was apparently a popular hobby. From Collectors Weekly:


And yes, the seaweed did smell bad. But Collectors Weekly reminds us that the Victorian era was "a more pungent time."

Posted By: Alex - Sat Apr 18, 2015 - Comments (6)
Category: Hobbies and DIY, Nineteenth Century

Diamond Postcard Gun

Original ad here.



Original text here.

I am uncertain about how the technology of 1914 allowed for one-minute development of photos. But somehow they managed, as you can see from the buttons below.

And damn, that was one gorgeous hunk of equipment!

Posted By: Paul - Tue Apr 07, 2015 - Comments (7)
Category: Business, Hobbies and DIY, Photography and Photographers, 1910s

XM42 Flamethrower

Purchase yours here.

A tip of the propeller beanie to Charles Stross.

Posted By: Paul - Sat Mar 21, 2015 - Comments (4)
Category: Death, Destruction, Hobbies and DIY, Technology

Car with Thatched Roof

Posted By: Paul - Wed Dec 03, 2014 - Comments (4)
Category: Eccentrics, Hobbies and DIY, 1960s, Cars