view additional pages

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

I’m not sure what’s scarier. The pumpkin head or that woman’s eyebrows.

Farmer Grows Pumpkins with Human Faces

Pumpkins with human faces have been produced by John M. Czeski, Ohio farmer, after four years of experimenting. To grow the novel fruit, Czeski fashions an aluminum mold of the head he wants to reproduce, and places it around a growing pumpkin approximately the size of a small grapefruit. After the pumpkin has expanded enough to fill the inside contours, the mold is removed. The print of the features remains as the pumpkin continues to grow, and the final result is a lifelike full-size image in the ripened fruit.

Clean Shaves With New Steam Pad

MEN who look forward with dread to the morning shave need have nothing more to fear, thanks to the recent invention of a special steam pad and holder which makes possible a clean, painless scrape. The beard is softened for the whisker removal operation by means of a pad made of thick heavy absorbent grade of turkish toweling held to the face with an adjustable metal band, as demonstrated in the photo below.

This process thoroughly steams the face, softening the hairs and relaxing the muscles, thus putting the face in the best condition. Two towels are provided with each pad support, permitting a change of pads when one starts to grow old.

Well, that’s rather disturbing.

ELEPHANTS’ FEET ARE TURNED INTO USEFUL JARS

Waste-paper baskets, tobacco jars and receptacles for various uses made out of elephants’ feet have appeared in German shops. Equipped with hinged covers, tightly lined interiors and with bands of polished metal about the top, these novelties are attractive in appearance and their stability and durability are said to appeal to the purchaser seeking “something different” in the way of a useful curio.

This looks familiar.

EXERCISE IN HAMMOCK HELPS TO REDUCE WEIGHT
To exercise the parts of the body in which fat accumulates, and help users improve their physical condition, a revolving
hammock has been invented. It is said to stretch the spine and the muscles, stimulate circulation, and reduce weight. The device consists of a metal framework, with stirrups at one end and head grip at the other. A strap goes under the chin. Canvas webbing, shaped like a “Y”, supports the body.

New Gadget Sews, Rocks and Churns

NOT content with using all her energy to run a sewing machine, an Oregonian housewife devised a plan whereby her sewing machine pedal could be made to do the work of several things at once.

One length of wood was fastened to the machine pedal, for the driving piston. Another length extending over a frame work fulcrum operated the two lengths of wood which served as connecting rods.

When all was ready, the baby’s cradle was attached to one connecting rod, and the churn to the other. Then as she sewed, the baby rocked, and as the baby rocked, the cream was churned.

Giant Vacuum Cleaner
Largest one ever assembled is this 196-pound jumbo made for exhibition purposes. It takes a bit of pushing, but works fine according to Henry Hoover.

This seems like a really, really bad idea for a party game. What questions would you ask to guarantee an interesting evening?
Also, I love how it can also be used as a kissing meter and that the girl who gets kissed is referred to as “the victim”.

view additional pages

Have Fun With a Lie Detector

No use lying or trying to hide your emotions. This little gadget will surely find you out.

By Tony Karp

IF YOU really worked late in the office last night you have nothing to worry about if the wife wants to give you a little going over with the help of this he detector. But, if you were out with the boys, played poker or told her that the smear on your collar is red ink— watch out! This little gadget will give you away.

Read the rest of this entry »

AUTOMOBILE SERVES AS STAMP ALBUM

By making the exterior of his car serve as his album, E. Had-ley, of Casper, Wyo., has assembled one of the world’s strangest postage-stamp exhibits. Five girls worked for six weeks to plaster the machine with the 10,000-odd specimens, which are covered with a protective coat of varnish to shield them from the weather and hardships of the road.

Boxers Wear Fireworks in Novel Bout

Outlined in flame, two asbestos-clad boxers staged a spectacular bout during a recent pyrotechnic display in London, England. Blazing fireworks, attached to the suits of the two performers on jointed frames to permit them freedom of movement, glowed as they sparred in the dark.

SHATTERPROOF GLASS USED IN SPECTACLES
Hammer blows cannot shatter the glass in safety spectacles recently developed in England. Under the impact of the metal, the lenses crack as does the safety glass used in automobiles, but the broken fragments will not scatter. The glasses are designed for athletes, workers, and others who run the risk of having their spectacles struck by flying objects.

Egg-Shaped Wheels Pull Through Mud Without Chains

Wheels with “corners” on them may seem useless, but a New York inventor believes such “flat” wheels may replace the track-type drive on military vehicles and tractors. Each driving unit is actually a pair of oval wheels synchronized with their long axles at right angles to each other. This means that the point of one wheel and the flat part of the other are in contact with the ground at the same time.

Read the rest of this entry »