Monday, March 2, 2020

The Funnies: Pogology (1922)


Pogology
Life Magazine, 1922

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the invention of the Pogo Stick. Though a "Spring Jumping Stilt" was patented by George H. Herrington of Wichita, KS in 1891 the Pogo Stick as we recognize it was invented by Hans Pohlig and Ernst Gottschall of Hanover, Germany in 1920.

Friday, February 14, 2020

Happy Valentine's Day!

If you're spent any time reading this blog, you'll know I and a cat guy. So, a cat Valentine only seemed appropriate! Happy Valentine's Day!

Monday, January 27, 2020

The Funnies - The Prohibition Machine (1920)

Life Magazine, January 1920
"It's the upkeep of the darn machine that worries me."

Friday, January 17, 2020

The Funnies - Special Edition: 100th Anniversary of the Beginning of Prohibition (1922)


"Did you hear of the latest horrible effects of prohibition?"
"No, what are they?"
"Mrs. Boston Terrier's new pups were born without corkscrew tails."
Life Magazine, 1922

Monday, January 6, 2020

The Funnies - The Up-to-date Investigators (1922)


The Up-to-date Investigators
"What are you looking for, boys?"
"Someone said there was a blind pig in the cellar."
Life Magazine, 1922


Wednesday, May 1, 2019

100 Years Ago - the 1919 Indy 500

I thought I'd start the month of May off with a look at the Indy 500 from 100 years ago.


Monday, March 11, 2019

The Funnies: Another Sufferer (1920)

Another Sufferer
Cupid - Can't I interest you?
Bachelor - Not to-day.
The Judge Magazine, July 1920

Monday, March 4, 2019

The Funnies - Ten Years Ago

"Gosh! It seems ten years ago!"
The Judge Magazine, July 1920

Monday, February 18, 2019

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Happy Valentine's Day!


As always I'm up for a little aircraft-related history. This one is simply a card from the 20's (I guess). Happy Valentine's Day!

Monday, February 4, 2019

The Funnies - Protest (1920)

The Latest Recruit
The Judge Magazine, July 1920

Monday, January 14, 2019

Monday, January 7, 2019

The Funnies - That Second Cocktail (1919)

That Second Cocktail
April 1919, Life Magazine

100 Years Ago - Felix the Cat

Almost since the first moving pictures thrilled audiences, we've enjoyed cartoons. Digging through the internet archives I came across this little gem from 1919. One hundred years ago, maybe not to the day, but close enough to qualify. Enjoy a bit of ragtime piano and the antics of Felix the Cat.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

The Funnies - First Lap of 2019 (1919)


Starting on the first lap of the year.

A combination of the funnies and a 100 years ago post today, the beginning of 1919 in kitten terms. From Life magazine's, January 1919 issue.

Monday, December 24, 2018

Merry Christmas from 1918


A Merry Christmas from a hundred years ago. Funny how times have changed. It's hard to imagine a card shop or mega-mart stocking war-themed Christmas cards nowadays. Sure, you'll find the requisite patriotic one here and there (still rare), but actually mentioning an ongoing conflict? I can't imagine it. Maybe that's just the view from a generation privileged enough to have the choice not to experience any of the ongoing armed conflicts. These are different days.

So, Merry Christmas everyone everywhere. Put on the Bing Crosby or Judy Garland version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and really listen to the lyrics. Understand that it's a song written to those who are far away, fighting a war that seems endless...understand the singer doesn't know if they'll ever see their loved one again. May we all have a Merry Little Christmas...if the fates allow.

Friday, June 15, 2018

Happy National Picnic Week 2018

There's a national (and sometimes international) day or week for just about any interest you can think of nowadays. Poodles have their day on October 6th, Stamp collecting gets the whole month of October, Strawberries get February 27th, and picnics get June 15th - 24th. What's the deal with a week that doesn't begin on Monday anyway? Was it a ploy to give people time to plan a picnic for the weekend that sits in the middle of picnic week? Something doesn't smell right and I don't think it's the Limburger. Speaking of cheese, why not have a picnic ad?


I have to say this is one of those odd occurrences where I've got a little experience with the products that show up in this 1937 ad from Life Magazine. In my case it's probably expected I'd know Velveeta, Kraft is still manufacturing this fine petroleum-based cheese food product to this very day. And, I guess everyone knows Kraft singles, those plastic slices of salty something that topped the bologna sandwiches of my youth. But, today I'm speaking of the little jars of cheese spread at the left of the ad. My grandparents used to get the Pimento Spread and Old English and I remember them being a feature at many a holiday gathering. Now, I don't really remember them being eaten. I definitely only tried them once. Still seeing them is enough to bring back memories.

Anyway, if you're out to celebrate picnic week, maybe throw some bulletproof cheese products into your basket. If nothing else you can use them to build a signal fire, or you can throw them at bears.

Monday, June 4, 2018

The Funnies - Quite Likely (1909)

Minnie Mermaid - Don't you wish you could go rowing with a Summer man?
Bessie Mermaid - No, I don't; men are lazy things. He'd probably make me scull over the stern with my tail!

Sunday, February 25, 2018

The Funnies - Love Letter (1920)

"I'm going to write a love letter for you, Popsy-wop!"
The Judge Magazine, July 1920

Monday, February 19, 2018

The Funnies - Up-To-Date Girl (1917)


Freddie: Up-to-date girl, isn't she?
Motorist: Yep; 1917 model Q. D. hair, demountable figure, quick pick up, good for any speed, no glare lamps, doesn't wast gas, self-starting, one-man control, and non-skid morals for slippery going.
January 1917, Life Magazine