Bad Invention: Psychograph, 1930s
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The Psychograph was a phrenology machine invented and marketed by Henry C. Lavery in the early part of the 20th century. It was claimed the machine followed the principles of phrenology, which focused on the measurements of the head as a way to determine what character and mental skills a person possessed. It also, allegedly, discerned [...]
Od Ads: American Telephone and Telegraph Company, 1980
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In this advertisement by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, a woman is depicted doing a yoga headstand and talking on the telephone to another woman (inset) in the same pose. The tagline “Reach out. Reach out and touch someone” is shown on the bottom with additional text that read: Feeling fit, and all’s right [...]
Wright brothers’ third test glider being launched, 1902
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Historic photo of the Wright brothers’ third test glider being launched at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, on October 10, 1902. Wilbur Wright is at the controls, Orville Wright is at left, and Dan Tate (a local resident and friend of the Wright brothers) is at right. The 1902 test gliders were extremely important to [...]
Bad Inventions: Electric Exercise Gloves
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This 1938 newsreel showcases a brand new invention – the Electric Exercise Gloves. I could not find any additional information on the Electronic Exercise Gloves. Perhaps it didn’t proceed past the ‘testing’ stage. Even though the idea of losing weight with little effort sounds delightful, the seizure-like feeling of these gloves could not have been [...]
Army & Navy men sign a telegram, 1918
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Army and Navy men sign a telegram which they sent to General Pershing: “This is the anniversary of the first year of America’s entry into the world war, but you can count on us for as many more years as are necessary to bring a decisive victory for the Allies.” Signed, U.S. Soldiers and Sailors, [...]