Category:
Tools

Telescoping Fish Knocker

Not being a fisherman or sportsman of any sort, I had no idea until now that there existed a special tool for whacking your caught fish on the noggin: the fish knocker or fish bat. You can buy a variety of modern ones, as seen here. But I like the patent on a collapsible model.

Full patent here.















Posted By: Paul - Sat Dec 02, 2023 - Comments (6)
Category: Sports, Tools, Lakes, Ponds, Rivers, Streams, Swamps and Other Bodies of Fresh Water, Patents, 1950s

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Nothing says romance quite like a lightweight chain saw.

Popular Mechanics - Dec 1968

Posted By: Alex - Tue Oct 24, 2023 - Comments (0)
Category: Tools, Advertising, 1960s

Mystery Gadget 105

What special materials went into the composition of this blade and handle?

The answer is here.

Or after the jump.





More in extended >>

Posted By: Paul - Fri Apr 21, 2023 - Comments (3)
Category: Technology, Tools

Follies of the Madmen #400



And just as lethal!

Original ad here.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Dec 10, 2018 - Comments (6)
Category: Business, Advertising, Death, Tools, 1920s, Weapons

Rita Pavone:  Datemi un Martello



Her Wikipedia page.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Mar 19, 2018 - Comments (4)
Category: Music, Tools, 1960s, South America

Follies of the Madmen #267

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It's funny, because women don't know which end of a lathe is up!

Original ad here.

Posted By: Paul - Tue Dec 08, 2015 - Comments (12)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Stereotypes and Cliches, Tools, Hair Styling, 1960s, Women

Crosscut Saw Filer



You know, I was actually getting into this a little bit, finding the esoteric knowledge somewhat alluring. But five parts adding up to over two hours? I'm gonna call the total program a fit candidate for our "Boring Video" competition.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Aug 24, 2015 - Comments (6)
Category: Boredom, Eccentrics, Tools

Pens for Men

Posted By: Paul - Tue Jul 21, 2015 - Comments (9)
Category: Stereotypes and Cliches, Television, Tools, Advertising, 1950s, Men

Tool or Weapon

image
And we made fun of the TSA for confiscating nail clippers as weapons, look what they can accomplish in the right hands.

Posted By: Alex - Sat Apr 11, 2015 - Comments (2)
Category: Little People, Success & Failure, Tools, Torture, Weapons

Most Useful Tool Ever—But Which?

image

image

I know December 1965 is a long time ago. But this mystery propounded in that month's issue of Popular Science remains unsolved.

Which item is the best? The Poprivet Gun, or the Dual Heat Soldering Gun?

Please state your reasoning with your vote.

Original ad here. (Scroll down several pages for second one.)

Posted By: Paul - Thu Oct 18, 2012 - Comments (13)
Category: Contests, Races and Other Competitions, Tools, 1960s

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Who We Are
Alex Boese
Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes.

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.

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