I’ve contracted a severe flu, so I’ll be using posts from my draft stash for a little while. I’m very sorry if it takes me a little while to comment back or return emails!
Category: vintage
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On any given day, I’m guilty of countless curiosity tangents. After seeing one word or image that strikes me, I’m liable to spend (too much) time in search of related images, information and anecdotes.
Today? VINTAGE STRONGMEN, inspired by these bandages seen on Swissmiss:
Outlets for the general fascination with physical strength shape-shift through generations, but the fascination itself appears to be a constant of the human experience.
Since images like the ones above are easy enough to search out (if you’re so inclined…which you’re probably not), I’m going to focus on a few of the things that surprised me in my strongman odyssey.
I came across many more dolls and toys than I expected. Particularly modern ones. There’s a strongman revival in the works, folks. Believe it.
Perhaps the toy trend comes from the recent hipster adoption and pop culture resurrection of the handlebar moustache.
They just kept popping up!
Inherently contradictory paper strongman:
Awww…
There are a variety of vintage toys as well.
No idea about this one…
I really wonder what this old “Rover” LP sounds like:
For those who wanted to measure their own “strongmanity” (my adjective describing one’s degree of strongman attributes):
Lou has Muscles and Might (though surprisingly weak ankles):
Mildly uncomfortable…
More uncomfortable…
Best left unexplored, really…
Yearning to know more? Try a Composite Guide.
There were indeed comic representations too, but that’s a whole other story.
I’ll wrap it up here with a classic poster.
You’ll find the greatest wealth of images on Oldtime Strongman (I didn’t take images from the site for this post because I found the logos distracting to look at, but much effort clearly went into this site).
This post is dedicated to the mighty Buff Jenkins, who has helped me loosen many a jar lid. May your tankinis always be striped and well-fitted!
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Over two years ago, I posted about The Fuzzy Wonder Goat. I came across The Fuzzy Wonder again recently on Anachronistic Decay, and this time there was some background information!
Turns out Fuzzy was the work of the DeMoulin Bros. around the turn of the last century.
These goats were used in lodges and fraternal organizations as part of initiation ceremonies.
Aside from the illustrious Fuzzy,, other models were also available.
Here is the DeMoulin Bros. catalog:
I’ll refrain from posting more goat specifics, but you can find more information (along with uses) on this site.
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Here’s a little something for the folks who list fitness goals as part of their New years resolution; a glance back at some antique fitness equipment.
Before you judge…consider some of the ludicrous contraptions we have on the market today:
The Shake Weight
The Cardio Twister
The Love Handler
And remember the Thigh-Master?
The Gazelle?
Want abs? You can try the Abroller, Abcoaster, Abrocket, Abdoer, Abcircle, Abflyer, Ab Slide, Ab Belt, Smart Abs, AB FORCE…you get the idea. We’re surrounded by the fitness kitsch of the future!
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Golden Age Comic Book Stories just posted a nice collection of pins and buttons, dating back to the 1930’s.
Surely these are prized collector’s items at this point.
Before the digital age it must have been quite exciting for kids to fill out that little order form, clipped from a comic book, and wait for their special treats in the mail.
See more (including airline pins) here.
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The holidays had some unexpected challenges in store for me this year (including hospitalized family, and what may be the largest data loss of my entire electronic life, if my paid backup service fails me). I’m trying to stay positive, so instead of lamenting anything quite yet, I’ll simply go ahead and give you a belated Christmas collection of links I had marked.
Incredible paper cut snowflakes
Amazing Galaxy Science Fiction Christmas covers
A great collection of gingerbread creations
Simon’s Cat: Santa Claws (I had the pleasure of watching two new cats “discover” a Christmas tree this year…this video pretty much captures it all):
I hope you all had fantastic holidays…whatever and however you celebrate!
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Today I give you the results of this year’s Web scouring for the most absurd and disconcerting thrift store renditions of Santa Claus.
Because eyes are overrated anyway…
Especially anatomically correct eyes.
Actually, who needs a face, period?
When you have a face, things like THIS can happen:
He sees you when you’re sleeping, kiddies…
“Very superstitious…writings on the wall…”
I sense tragic comedy waiting to happen if THIS fellow ever attempted toy delivery:
No, this is not an intentional “craftastrophe.” I promise. It was found at a regular market (in the Twilight Zone?).
What? Santa is secure enough in his masculinity to wear pink and glow.
This post was brought to you by MAYBELLINE JESUS!
Be sure to check out:
Holiday Horrors Week: Santas
Image Odyssey: Scary Santa (Inanimate Object Version)
Serving in Santa -
A little gem from one of the masterminds at Unusual Life.
I have an odd love of “Santa in space” themed illustrations (as you can see here).
Hm…blueprints.
Amazing design from Mike Mitchell:
Look at the wood grain effect on this gingerbread house!
A vintage Krampus picture that is new to my collection this year:
When Christmas comes…without joy:
Ah, the ghosts of cleanings past…
For the Trekkies:
Finally, card that gets at the true meaning of Christmas:
And…
I have to admit that I find this pretty hilarious…and not just because I’m a Crazy Cat Lady in training:
This belongs somewhere in the Holiday Hair Hall of Fame:
Say what you will about Disney, but those Imagineers put together one hell of a light display on It’s a Small World:
Sense of direction is not always my strong point, but I’m fairly certain this card is geographically inaccurate:
I can almost hear a tiny chorus of voices…“I’m melting…meeeeeeelting…oh, what a world…”…
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I have some holiday themed images floating on my desktop right now, but lets have a look at some of the regular (if such a a word can be used in this case) first.
First, a new piece by Camille Rose Garcia, whom I’ve posted about here, here and here.
[Insert split personality joke for the following]
Damn right:
The perils of waiting too long…
I’m not sure if this is how the “birth” of ideas really works.
Artistically rendered territory of taste:
The “Autobeautifier:”
And for those who prefer to practice beauty techniques with their own hands…
A couple for the pessimists…
This image is actually a giant sea monster projectile vomiting thousands of human bodies. Whoa, indeed.
We’ll finish off with some beautiful projectile vomit by TYPOE
SheWalksSoftly 