January 16, 2006

Modern Mechanix. From growing your own mushrooms in the cellar to phantom guides for elevator riders. Science has given us it all. Modern Mechanix showcases the retro best ads and tech, from old science mags for our pleasure.

Try animals for profit or the simply strange. or useless But more than this, much more than this I shall, without ado eat my own nail clippings. If this is a double.

posted by randomaction 18 years ago
  • Mushrooms? /perks up
  • These are absolutely awesome. O, brave new world! Hmmm, I wonder what kind of mushrooms the United Mushroom Company could afford to shell out $267 for in 1937? Whatever happened to that ground-hugging car? I want one! Baby gas mask - I could weep. Wig with built-in crash helmet; I wonder if these ever came into common use for stunt doubles?
  • this is fascinating. thanks!
  • This should NOT be under weird ideas! Special license plates for traffic violators are being considered as a safety measure by Cliff Davis, commissioner of public safety in Memphis, Tenn. If the measure is adopted motorists who persistently break traffic laws will be required to run in their regular licence plates for special tags, similar to that shown in the photograph above, bearing a skull and the words “traffic-law violator.” And a frothing mug for habitual drunks.
  • Interesting idea, but I can only picture the chaos that would ensue when other drivers on the freeway overreact to a car's special plates and all push to get away from it. Or idiots trying to get that guy in trouble on purpose because they know he's already susceptible to extra scrutiny by the police. I think it's a lazy copout (heh) by the police: they can watch that car and wait for the driver to get into trouble, rather than treat the guy like everyone else until he breaks the law. Now the drink-driving one is another thing entirely. Assuming no law is passed that takes a repeat offender off the road completely, special tags would be the next-best thing. But damn, people, get them off the road already.
  • Sort of a "Here's your sign" approach to road safety!
  • I was rushing to make a FPP of this in the excitement of discovery, and of course discovered that as always I'm late to the party. Great stuff. I especially like the "personal appearance" section, which is a godsend to all those skinny blokes out there who need to add 10-15 pounds to become attractive, or those young men whose careers are in jeopardy due to overly oily skin.
  • "...I WISH I COULD GAIN SOME FLESH” You and me both, Slim.