September 26, 2007

ANTI-MURDER, INC. (Aug, 1950)

ANTI-MURDER, INC.

Cop’s best friend and crook’s worst enemy is what they call Faurot, Inc., the company that makes and sells felony-fighting gadgets.

By West Peterson

PRICELESS furs were being stolen from a New York department store. Officials knew it was an inside job but weeks of watching had failed to reveal the criminals. Finally, the store called in John A. Dondero, president and scientific director of Faurot, Inc.

Dondero examined the premises carefully and found nothing. But he did suspect the emergency exit doors which supposedly were never used. So, he sprinkled a special powder on the door knobs and then sent one of his men to watch the washroom. Soon, two employes came to wash some mysterious dark stains from their hands. Dondero accused them of using the emergency doors to pass furs out to waiting accomplices. At first they denied it, but then confessed when he told them how he had trapped them.
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September 25, 2007

RUBBER SUIT KEEPS MOTORIST DRY AND COMFORTABLE (Jun, 1924)

It’s been a while since you needed a full body rubber suit to drive comfortably…

RUBBER SUIT KEEPS MOTORIST DRY AND COMFORTABLE

For the protection of motorists and others in case of storm, a waterproof, overall suit has been manufactured that can be slipped on or off in a few seconds, has no bothersome buttons, allows freedom in movement, and covers the entire figure. It is composed of two plys of strong fabric between which is a layer of rubber. Patented fasteners at the front, wrists and ankles are quickly adjusted. The collar can be drawn over the head for additional protection and, when folded up, the suit occupies but little space. The garment is so well ventilated that it can be worn in hot weather and yet provides warmth in storm and cold.

Generating SMOKE and STEAM for Amateur Theatricals (Feb, 1932)

Filed under: Chemistry — @ 12:06 am
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Feb, 1932
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One of the things I really like about these old articles is that they assume a certain level of competence, and if you don’t have it, well that’s your fault. Nowadays if you posted this article you’d have to find out if you are libel for some moron drinking hydrochloric acid through the rubber tube because he thought it was a straw.

Generating SMOKE and STEAM for Amateur Theatricals

By Kenneth Malcolm

CURLING wisps of smoke rising in a fireplace, great smoke-gusts bursting in from an offstage forest fire, steam issuing from grotesque modernistic machinery or even from the spout of a humble teakettle—all the realistic steam and smoke effects which so often add to the interest of professional dramatic productions can be easily duplicated, at least on a moderate scale, by the amateur.

The apparatus to be described is a simplified version of that used in the professional theater, and costs not more than a dollar or two. The smoke—produced chemically by uniting ammonia gas with chlorine—is harmless and may be generated instantly wherever desired.
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Window Cleaners Pose For Photo “On The Job” (Sep, 1938)

That looks terrifying. Also check out How a Skyscraper Window Washer Faces Death.

Window Cleaners Pose For Photo “On The Job”

The unusual photograph above shows a group of men working at what is considered by many as one of the most hazardous occupations—cleaning the windows of a “skyscraper” building. The photograph was taken from the 86th floor of the 102-story Empire State Building in New York, N. Y. As can be seen from the photo, the window cleaners trust their lives to stout leather belts which pass through rings in a leather girdle strapped around their bodies, the hooked ends of the belts being attached to metal lugs protruding from the window frames.

Gillette Ad: “I didn’t get the job” (Feb, 1932) (Feb, 1932)

“I didn’t get the job”

HE’D counted on landing the job—but he missed out. Again he’ll have to “stall” the landlord, the grocer and all the rest. One thing stood between him and a weekly pay check. His wife is somewhat reluctant to tell him. He doesn’t realize that a fresh, close shave is important in getting and holding a job.
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Would You Believe It? Oddities from Many Lands (May, 1938)

Would You Believe It? Oddities from Many Lands

Tree Trunk Rings Pagan Bell
THE hammer of this huge bell at Nara Park, Japan, is a rope suspended tree trunk. It is pulled back, then let go. The bell ringer pulls it back and when he releases his hold, the huge clapper swings under its own weight against the side of the gong.
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September 24, 2007

Gear-Shift Shoes (Aug, 1950)

Gear-Shift Shoes are the result of 14 years of research by Louis Brunet, 70, of Tarbes, France. He says they take the “climb” out of “climbing.” Soles are adjustable so feet are always level whether you’re going up- or downhill.

GARAGE BUILT OF AUTO TAGS IS PROOF AGAINST RUST (Jun, 1924)

GARAGE BUILT OF AUTO TAGS IS PROOF AGAINST RUST

Tightly sheathed on roof and sides with unused automobile license tags, a serviceable garage, seventeen feet square and ten feet high, with space for two cars has been built in Denver, Colo. The tags’ were obtained from a surplus of 22,000 left over in the office of the secretary of state. More than 10,000 of the plates, which are rust-proof, were required to cover the structure. They were laid overlapping like shingles upon a rough board siding and a layer of tar paper. A coat of paint was applied to obliterate the numbers.

LATEST SCIENTIFIC News NOVELTIES in Pictures (Nov, 1933)

Filed under: General — @ 7:51 am
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Nov, 1933
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I’m not really sure how any of these qualify as “scientific”.

LATEST SCIENTIFIC News NOVELTIES in Pictures

Modern Mechanix and Inventions news cameraman photographs scientific developments from every angle. Two outstanding shots this month are: Jimmy Wedell snatching plane speed crown from head of Doolittle, and a rooster that lays an egg.
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Now more than ever Give her a Hoover and you give her the best (Dec, 1936)

I agree with the ad, if you give your wife a vacuum cleaner for christmas, you can be sure of getting “Positive Agitation”. And no sex.

Now more than ever Give her a Hoover and you give her the best

Smart cellophane wrappings hide something thrillingly new in helpfulness. Lucky woman! Her husband’s giving her the Hoover One Fifty Cleaning Ensemble… the first basically new cleaner in 10 years. Now she’ll clean everything as she goes … rug-and-furniture cleaner in one ensemble, instantly convertible. Read the rest of this entry »

$78,800 Offered by Industries for Ideas (Jun, 1924)

$78,800 Offered by Industries for Ideas

Nationally Known Industries Co-operate to Awaken Inventive Genius of Country

EVERYONE has inventive ability because every man, woman and child at some time or other has ideas which they put to practical use to save time, abolish drudgery or to add to their own happiness. But, because of lack of appreciation of their value, many such ideas lie unused and forgotten to the loss both of the inventor and humanity to whom they might have proved of inestimable value.
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September 23, 2007

Ad: La Choy Chow Mein (Dec, 1936)

Damn that Hilda! Making her eat canned chow mein. Who do you think she’s on the phone with? Her lover?

Come on over. It’s Hildas night off so we’ll have LA CHOY CHOW MEIN

The most versatile food for maid’s-night-out. . . . Ready to serve, delightful to savor … La Choy Chow Mein and crisp Noodles. Prepared and packed in spotless surroundings. Sold at all grocers. Send for Free Recipe Booklet A-12. La Choy Food Products Co., Detroit, Mich.

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