Dark Roasted Blend

Extraordinary Inventions: Victorian-Era Prank Machines

2012-01-27T16:07:00.003-08:00

"QUANTUM SHOT" #751
Link - article by Julia Suits

Creators of these pranks were America’s original hi-tech geeks of the new electric age.

You will remember our hilarious serious Weird Inventions by Guys; this time we give you a treat from Julia Suits, author of the "The Extraordinary Catalog of Peculiar Inventions" (None of this material has appeared on the web anywhere else, so this is exclusively for DRB readers)

"It's as if Buster Keaton and Harry Houdini took over Montgomery Ward and branched out into weird."

At the beginning of the twentieth century, 40 percent of American men belonged to a fraternal lodge, and they were hazing their newbies with squirting goats, spanking machines, electric chairs and carpets, and the like. Nearly all their prank devices came via catalogs published by the makers,the DeMoulin Brothers Company, from 1896-1930.

Embodiments of fraternal mischief, the prank machines were inventions of three sons of a French immigrant carriage builder in Western Illinois. The DeMoulins were among America's high-tech geeks and makers at the peak of the "Golden Age of Invention." You can read more about the DeMoulin brothers and their wacky inventions in this book: www.juliasuits.net

Nationwide, the years 1907 through 1911 saw the most patents granted--about 16,000 per year. Of the hundred-plus patents the DeMoulins filed between 1895 and 1929, several dozen were granted. Among them were these:

1) 945708 Wireless Trick Telephone

"When the candidate attempts to answer this telephone, a 32-calibre blank cartridge will be exploded with a loud report, and at the same time white powder will be blown with a strong blast from the transmitter into his face." $35.00

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2) 976851 Invisible Paddle Machine

The initiate, thinking he is showing off his manliness with an ordinary strength-testing device, is surprised by the sudden simultaneous actions of a 32-calibre blank cartridge exploding at the rear, a paddle striking "where his mother used to apply her slipper," and a spray of water discharging in his face. $21.00 $33.50 (with electrical shock attachment) $0.45 (box of 50 extra blanks)

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3) 1200472 Knife-throwing Stunt

"Believe us, it's a dandy. Perfectly harmless, but a complete deception." The candidate believes that the knives are being thrown by the Arab, but the knives are concealed back of the wall and thrown out through slots with a thud by means of springs operated from behind. This, in coordination with an electric current passing instantly through the arm, gives the sensation of being cut by the edge of a blade. $155.00 (including knives)

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4) 920837 Lifting and Spanking Machine - Watch video

As the candidate lifts up on the handles, a spring is released causing the paddle to strike him on the "kazabo," and a blank cartridge to explode with a loud report. That is not all; there is also an electric motor concealed under the platform that turns on a good current of "juice" $12.50 (50 blank cartridges included)

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5) 1455113 Low-Down Buck

"We thought we had about reached the limit when it came to inventing goats, but out of the realm of our imagination and ingenuity we have produced another specimen--a real rip-snorter." Only the large wheel runs on the floor. The small wheels might be compared to the hoofs of a goat in action--they hit the floor, occasionally. $53.00 Rough Rider or Cowboy Outfit...$7.50

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6) 925878 Pledge Altar

The candidate kneels before the altar in a darkened room, when--Lo! Up before him jumps a skeleton with large, illuminated, glaring eyes; a blank cartridge is exploded; a stream of water hits him in the face; an electric shock is shot into his knees. $76.00

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7) 927717 Surprise Chair

"The startling effect produced by a backward trip, accompanied by a loud explosion, is superior to that caused by a flying trip on a loop-the-loop. It produces the real plunging feeling with absolutely no danger to the occupant, as it is well padded and the rockers prevent it from jarring." $15.00

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8) Sea Serpent - Watch video

Used with electric carpet "to keep the candidates in line." "Consists of heavy canvas body 20 feet long, well stuffed, and having grotesque head with "squak" attachment, supporting straps every five feet." Cost: $30.00 (additonal length, $0.75 per foot)

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9) 961847 Devil's Slide

This clever and substantial arrangement features a chair that is securely held in place by a trigger. When released, the chair and candidate fall backward and precipitously plunge forward down the track. At the bottom, the attendant uses the squirt gun with telling effect. $155.00 Extra Squirt Gun, $2.00 (for those desiring two)

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10) 943219 Fuzzy Wonder Goat - Watch video

"Fuzzy Wonder" is a spectacular Goat in every respect. It gallops, rears,wobbles, kicks,and bucks by the up-and-down motion of the handle-bar. The body is well-upholstered with best tanned wool skin, and has horns and eyes. Goat is packed in a chest with hinged cover, lock and key. Weighs about 200 pounds. $82.00 Horse, Donkey, Tiger or Camel Body, instead of goat body, extra...$10.00

Here is the "Humpy Dump" variation:

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And that's not all! Here are a couple more, even more harrowing experiences:

See more crazy hazing inventions and buy Julia Suits' book here:

CONTINUE TO "INVENTIONS By GUYS" SERIES! ->

Cool Vintage Actors, Part 1

2012-01-24T17:00:00.005-08:00

"QUANTUM SHOT" #750
Link - by Avi Abrams

Smooth, charming, adventurous, funny: we still remember these heroes of cinema

In this issue we will have a look at the 1950s-1970s actors, mostly from Europe - see if you can recognize these faces... and maybe even fondly remember movies they starred in.

British actors: oodles of class

Here is the real Romeo: Leonard Whiting in the 1968 Zeffirelli film version of "Romeo and Juliet":

(image credit: Vogue)

Always hilarious John Cleese and the "Monty Python" bunch, sometimes called the Pythons (don't forget to watch "Ministry of Silly Walks" video):

(images via)

Sean Connery poses for Jim Beam (left) and drives the car with an inimitable special agent intense look:

Jack Hawkins and Cliff Robertson have a stand-off in "Masquerade" (1965):

(image via Cinema.de)

French actors: unforgettable!

Charming Jean-Paul Belmondo in "Pierrot le fou" 1965 movie by Jean-Luc Godard:

images credit: LIFE, Cinema.de)

Adventurous, dashing Alain Delon, looking cool in "Any Number Can Win" (1963):

(images via 1, 2)

Starring in the Purple Moon (1960), perfectly fit and poised:

(image via Cinema.de)

And here's Jean-Paul Belmondo on the beach:

(image via Cinema.de)

A very classy star of many swashbuckling pictures in the 1950s, Jean Marais performed his own stunts:

Great French comic actor Louis De Funes is still very much loved, especially his wonderful facial expressions:

Russian actors: mostly unknown in the West

Veniamin Smekhov playing Athos in the Russian version of "The Three Musketeers":

Andrei Mironov played many lead roles in popular Russian movies (for example, plenty of charming villains and Don Juan types), and even has a minor planet named after him:

Yury Nikoulin and Andreu Mironov in the comedy caper "The Diamond Arm", 1969:

Interesting characters:

Evgeni Evstigneev and Igor Ilyinsky were big stars of Soviet cinema in the 1950s:

One of the most popular Russian actors, Valentin Gaft often plays complex, deeply fascinating characters:

Evgeni Evstigneev and Andrei Mironov share a comedy movie "The Granddad Robbers" (1971):

Zinovi Gerdt, Vladimir Etush and Andrei Mironov in the movie "Shadow" (1971):

Alexander Shirwindt, the star of Russian TV in the 1970s-80s:

Alexander Belyavski in the 1960s:

Vyacheslav Tikhonov and Oleg Yankovski as Baron Munchhausen:

American actors: rare vintage photos

These are the stars we all know, in the great behind-the-scenes situations:

(James Dean, photo by Roy Schatt, 1954 - image credit: James Dean Foundation Trust, via)

(Harrison Ford as Han Solo on the set of "Star Wars", see more images here)

Classy: Steve McQueen with his 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso (more info) and Keanu Reeves:

(images via)

Robert De Niro (walking with Jodie Foster in 1976) and Jack Nicholson, being himself:

(images via)

Bespectacled Arnold Stang once described himself as "a frightened chipmunk who's been out in the rain too long." -

(image via)

CONTINUE TO DRB "VINTAGE" SERIES! ->

The World's Worst (and Ugliest) Cars

2012-01-19T20:42:00.019-08:00

"QUANTUM SHOT" #749
Link - article by Daniel Butler & Avi Abrams

"What we really need is a car that can be shot when it breaks down." (Russell Baker).

Here at Dark Roasted Blend we normally celebrate weird and beautiful... except when we equally celebrate weird and ugly. Both "beautiful" and "ugly" sides of things are worth mentioning when they are brought to extremes. We already covered the ugliest architecture, the worst roads, and even the ugliest facial expressions. Now, it's time to see some atrocious cars and collectively abhor their unnatural shapes!

(this is the LADA, Russian SUV concept that we hope will never see the light of day - via)

Officially, the World's Ugliest Car - looks like it's melting

The Aurora monster was built in 1957 by an eccentric New York priest trying to make the ultimate safety vehicle. Clearly, this design was not graced by the hand of God: only one prototype was produced, and it broke down 15 times on the way to the press conference, requiring towing to 7 different garages (more info, and images at Gatsby Magazine):

(images via Gatsby Magazine)

Safari Car (left) and 1968 Ostentatienne Opera Sedan, made by Mohs Automobile - no side doors here; entry is from the rear door, what a bright idea:

(images via 1, 2)

It should come as no surprise that during the long history of the automotive industry there has been some truly shocking cars created. Often experimentation and innovation goes too far, overriding common sense and resulting in Frankenstein vehicles prospective drivers scream and run from. Our friends at Netcars.com provide us with more examples of awful automobiles:

Overland OctoAuto (1911): perfect for Doctor Octopus' garage!

Measuring more than 20 ft in length, Milton Reeves’ barmy behemoth had 8 wheels and received zero customer orders when it went on display at the inaugural Indianapolis 500. Unable to realize that 4 wheels was the future of automobiles, Reeves made a 6 wheeled SexAuto the following year, which was another flop. Imagine the length of congestion lines today if 8 wheels had caught on as a design concept!

(art by James B. Deneen, images Bob Tate, via)

Also billed as the "Easiest Car in the World on Tires". Easy on tires, perhaps, but certainly not easy to drive! The photo of the man in the image below is of Elbert Hubbard, who actually drove OctoAuto and lived to write an article about it in 1911.

Here is some strangely bloated 1912 racing car from Turin, Fiat S76, rightly called "The Beast of Turin":

(image via)

Scripps-Booth Bi-Autogo! (don't you just love this name?)

Not really a car but some sort of a bike / cart hybrid, this two-wheeled 3,200-lb monstrosity was built in 1913 and was powered by the very first V8 engine that was made in Detroit. Check out the huge external radiator, made from the shiny copper tubes... The Scribbs-Bah...Bi...Whatever... even comes equipped with the training wheels!

(image via)

A similar two-wheeled (or somewhat three-wheeled) "thing" was manufactured from 1925-1928 in France from a design by the Mauser company (better known for guns) and called a "Monotrace":

(images via, see the restored Monotrace there!)

King Midget (1946): Plain as a Box

Aiming to provide a cheap kit car every household could afford, Midget Motors Corporation put together the King Midget package, containing an instruction manual, axles, chassis, steering system, springs and patterned schematics for the sheet metal. Able to accept all one cylinder engines, the King Midget was bargain basement design at its worst and later models were discontinued with stricter safety and emissions regulations.

(images via)

To say that King's dashboard was simple is an understatement (left), and to our eye, this vehicle looks better and more interesting when totally rusted:

(images via)

Even Uglier: The Town Shopper

Made by Carter Motor Corporation in California in 1950:

Here is a three-eyed 1948 Crossley (left) and a 1942 one (right):

(images via)

Renault Dauphine (1956): considered by many to be "the Slowest Car of All Time"

Proof that no one ever lost money underestimating the intelligence and taste of the general public, the Renault Dauphine sold very well, over 2 million units globally. Not bad, considering it was a cheap heap of junk with no identifiable redeeming feature other than what the scrap merchant ultimately offered for it. A continental bad joke, the Dauphine possessed the glacial acceleration (able to reach 60 mph from start in "only" 32 seconds) and was so prone to rusting that one hard winter could corrode the front wings into sieves.

People were saying that "if you stood beside it, you could actually hear it rusting". Imagine how criminals rejoiced when French police was outfitted with Dauphines! And yet it even was used in car racing:

(images via)

The actual shape of Renault Dauphine is not that bad-looking, and holds nostalgic value for many people. The idea behind this car was to provide modest transportation to many working families in a post-war recovery France. It did just that, but barely, providing people with many hilarious memories, and earning itself a place in many "worst cars" lists.

Zunndapp Janus (1958): better not to look where it's going...

When the Janus was unveiled industry experts weren’t two-faced with their reaction, they all openly agreed it was terrible. Equipped with a 250-cc engine and boasting a maximum speed of 50 mph, the Janus proved that motorbike manufacturers shouldn’t meddle in the motorcar market. Hilariously, the back seats were rear-facing so the red-faced passengers could watch congestion build up behind them while being serenaded with an irate cacophony of car horns.

(image via)

The dashboard was no less hilarious:

(image via)

Amphicar (1961): equally bad on the road and in the water

There was a certain sinking feeling about this bizarre concept car, seemingly thought up by a drunk car designer who had watched far too many Bond films. Able to drive on land and ride on water, the Amphicar wasn’t watertight and therefore only floated for as long as a pump held out or passengers could bucket the rising flood overboard. With a top speed of 7 mph when on water, consumers decided to keep their cars and boats as separate vehicles.

(images via 1, 2)

Peel Trident (1966): you'll be so hot, your skin will start peeling off

A woeful attempt to make a futuristic car (though it is rather neat looking, in a soap box sort of way), the Peel Trident was made on the Isle of Wight and was basically a go-kart with a ludicrously heavy bubble-like chassis. Slow and cumbersome, the Peel Trident was quickly laughed off the road, particularly as the plastic dome threatened to cook the passengers under the harsh gaze of the sun.

(images via 1, 2, 3)

The Bond Bug (1970): Ask Sean Connery what he thinks about this

No relation to Agent 007, and ugly as sin, the Bond Bug was a two seated sports car with three wheels which had a short production run of four years, during which the guffaws from car critics resounded loudly. The bright orange body paint made it look like a satsuma on wheels and the price was ridiculously high for such a small oddball of a vehicle that fared poorly when compared with the iconic and cheaper Mini.

(images via 1, 2)

See other super-small vehicles in our Smallest Cars series. One advantage of their size, of course, is that you can transport them on the flat bed of your truck:

(image via)

Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar (1974): a pyramidal abomination

Surely this ugly duckling should be applauded for being an early attempt at introducing an electric car on to the motor market? No, it looked like the mismanaged mix of a golf-cart and a garden shed. Made as a response to the 70s fuel crisis, the Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar placed the reputation of car design and manufacturing itself in jeopardy with its unpopular box-like body. Its production run ran for four years.

(images via)

Yugo GV (1985): go yugo yourself, why don't you?

The car that raised fitness levels of passengers by forcing them to push it, the Yugo GV was imported from a socialist country to a world that really didn’t want them. Their poorly assembled engines would break down with low mileages on the clock, leaving an unwelcome box-shaped eyesore on the side of the road and kids trembled at the thought of their parents bringing one home, knowing the playground gibes that would await them.

Here is the mis-proportioned Austin Allegro/Vanden Plas, with a Rolls-Royce-styled grill no less! On the right is the Austin Allegro All-Ego variation:

(images via)

Incredibly awkward-looking Aston Martin Lagonda wagon (left) and the overly souped-up Porsche (actually RUF CTR-2):

Miserably-shaped 1965 Citroen Ami (designed by an Italian sculptor, it has an eclectic, perhaps too eclectic shape - which still looks like parts badly put together):

Ungainly Ford Taunus 2000 GXL with a custom front:

A kit car, but no less crime against any design sense ("a dash of Corvette, the headlights from a Cougar, tail lights from a Vauxhall, powered by a VW engine"), more info:

(image via)

The 1977 Volkswagen prototype by Luigi Colani (definitely not the high point in the career of the master):

(image via)

It also has some sort of a cancerous growth in the middle of the steering wheel:

Many consider Pontiak Aztek to be the ugliest SUV of all time, although it did include a full-size tent as part of its back end. Here is a customized version, which actually looks somewhat cool:

Unveiled in 2010, Tata Magic Iris may be a great and efficient vehicle for India (and may even one day replace the ubiquitous trike), but to our eyes it has very unbalanced shape... as though somebody kicked it in the back and sent it on its way, wobbling and bouncing along:

Again, it looks better when customized (an artist's rendition; maybe it should've been made like this in the first place):

(image credit: Ignacio Brezza via)

Fiat Multipla (1998): this is ugly beyond reasonable level of ugliness

Proof that looks do matter, the Fiat Multipla is an ugly beast that had drivers staying away in droves. Less aesthetically pleasing than a proboscis monkey, Fiat trumpeted its excellence as a family carrier, while families pointed out they wouldn’t be seen dead in it. Given the advancements made in car design over the decades, how on Earth did the schematics for the Multipla ever get used for anything other than a practical joke?

(the ugly dog on the right via)

The dashboard also wins the title of "The Ugliest Car Dashboard of All Time":

(image via)

Another Fiat, this time called "Doblo" (left), and a weird Japanese item (a Lightburn Zeta?):

Strange Tanghua ("A Piece of Cloud") concept car from China, 2008:

What is this?? A customized Tato Nano, that's what:

Fiat Aquila concept (left) and a custom abomination from the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show:

Here is a truly outrageous-looking concept car, the recent 2010 Sbarro Autobau - more info. It may look like it's got teeth and preparing to eat you for breakfast. It also looks like it's been hastily put together from LEGO blocks by a 4-year old. But in any case, the future is here and looks as yellow as it can possibly be.

Speaking about futuristic concept cars (by the way, check out Rhombus - a wildly different concept car), not all of them were nice to look at. The following is 1955 "Astra Gnome", the Mars Vehicle, looking somewhat like a cross between my vintage hair dryer and the ironing board:

(images via - watch video about this concept car here)

See even more worst automobiles covered in this article and this huge list of ugly cars. As you can see we've only scratched the surface...

Well, my eyes hurt now from all this ugliness; gotta get some eye-bleach. Stay tuned for the next part in this series!

CONTINUE TO "GHOST-LIKE & UGLY CARS" ->

CHECK OUT THE REST OF "WEIRD AUTO" CATEGORY ->

Link Latte 172

2012-01-15T17:02:00.003-08:00

#172 - Week of January 15, 2012

Tree Cathedral by Giuliano Mauri, more - [wow art]
Fascinating Metal Forging by Hebo Machines - [geek video]
Doomed Cruise Ship used as "World" metaphor in film - [weird]
Incredible Insect Photography - [scroll down]
Minority Report Window is a Reality - [wow video]
Awesome Apocalyptic Art by Steve McGhee - [gallery]
2L Plastic Bottle Before Being Inflated video - [interesting]
Absolutely Weird Story About a Con Man - [article]
Giant Cloud-Shaped Aircraft - [wow concept]
Fascinating Scientific Demonstration, How-To - [wow videos]
Crazy Stunt: The Human Fly - [wow pic]
Formula 1 Racing: Vintage Cars - [pictorial]
New Drug Will Keep You Sober- [no more hangover]
Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge - [wow pics]
Shelf Organizing as Spectacular Art - [neat video]
Then & Now: Stunningly Fast Urban Development - [pics]
Cool Way to Peel Garlic - [useful!]
Post-Earthquake Giga-Structure - [amazing art]
Questionable Advice: Weird Ads from the Past - [cool site]
Extreme Weather Conditions & Ice Sculptures - [pics, video]
Neat Recycled Steampunk Wasps - [art]
Martial Arts like You Never Seen Them Before - [cool video]
Fearless Defusing of Mines - [wow video]
One of the Best Model Railways - [wow video]
Russian Cop Parkour - [wow video]
The Attack of the Violin - [fun video]
Tank Drifting - [wow video]
Mario Enters the Real World - [fun video]
Sublime Video: "Lost in Tokyo" - [wow video]
Melody for 100 Metronomes - [cool video]
Hilarious Huge Head (Photoshop Disaster) - [funny]
SOPA Update: Sites that will go on strike on Jan 18 - [full list]

SEE ALL OTHER LINK LATTE ISSUES HERE

Birds Just Want to Have Fun!

2012-01-13T20:09:00.005-08:00

Link
Scroll down for today's pictures & links.

Birds Just Want to Have Fun!

This crow in Russia has taken to roof tubing: it clearly got addicted to sliding down the roof in a plastic ring... Perhaps other crows and birds will follow suit?

Link

Today's pictures & links:

What do you want from me?!...

A good addition to our page Cats Ready to Kill You:

(image via)

See more of this grumpy kitty at Cute Overload.

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Workers in the Sunset

Just doing their job in Anapa, Russia.

(image credit: Alexey Mirrus)

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Encounter with the Great White Shark

This harrowing image of the shark "monster" contemplating puny humans (and the strength of the diving cage) comes from National Geographic 2011 Photo Contest.

(image credit: David Litchfield, National Geographic)

See more winning photos from the contest here and here.

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Mixed fresh links for today:

Amazing Lenticular Cloud over Crazy Mountains, Montana - [weather]
Epic Soviet Rocket Engine Testing Site, info - [pics, scroll down]
Steampunk Super-Pen Gadget, more - [geek art]
Scientists create super-soldier ants, to see what they do - [love this headline]
Great Spaceship Concept Art by Charles Guan - [scroll down]
Top Ten Photoshop Disasters of 2011 - [funny]
"DunkFish" Coolest Tea Infuser - [scroll down for pics]
Most Expensive Romantic Gestures Ever - [interesting]
How 3-D Printing Can Change Everything - [great video talk]
Spectacular BBC Bird's Eye Videos - [YouTube channel]
Cat gets into smaller, and smaller boxes - [fun video]
Wonderful Quick Painter - [wow video]
Impressive Rube Goldberg Machine - [wow video]
Surfing Through Apocalypse - [wow video]

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Enough of cuddling! I'm going now...

Hedgehogs are impossibly cute:

(original unknown)

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Unforgettable "Captain America" Vehicle Designs

We featured the exciting futuristic visions by Daniel Simon - "the vehicle designer for this and other galaxies" - before on DRB: see our interview Cosmic Motors Art.

Since then, this undisputed master of futuristic vehicle design went on to Hollywood to work on "Captain America" and "Tron Legacy" movies, and the upcoming Tom Cruise movie "Oblivion".

(images credit: Daniel Simon)

One of our favorite sites, Core77, has recently interviewed Simon about his movie projects and his thoughts on concept design in general - see their videos Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

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Meanwhile in Greenland...

Cute Arctic hares are huddling in the snow (read more about Arctic hares here). Bottom right image: Kulusuk, Kulusuk Island, East Greenland -

(left image: Paul Nicklen National Geographic; right images: Alistair Knock, Gerald Zinnecker)

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One of the "Green Monsters": the 1960s Jet-Powered Car

Art Arfons poses with his "Green Monster" (though it's painted mainly in red, white and blue) at Bonneville Salt Flats - more info:

(photograph by George Callaway, via)

This 1964 land-speed record vehicle was powered by an F-104 Starfighter jet engine with four-stage afterburner. Perhaps this warrants an article of its own...

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The following is a short round-up of the best from our Facebook stream (which update every day with unique material, not available on DRB otherwise):

This is not going to work:

(original unknown, via Reddit)

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Say Hello to a Kitchen Robot! - Japan, 1969:

And a Hubot! Made in 1983, this was a sophisticated personal household robot - more info.

(image via)

"Hubot is 44-inch tall battery-operated personal robot, which can remember how to get around the house without bumping into walls. Hubot includes a complete mobile workstation, an Entertainment package and robotic functions. The entertainment package included a voice synthesizer with a 1200-word vocabulary, a 12" black and white television, and AM/FM stereo cassette player, an Atari 2600 video game set and a digital clock that displayed time and temperature. Inside is a complete proprietary SysCon computer with B&W monitor, Detachable keyboard and optional printer which is used to do computing task and control the robotic functions. There was an optional voice command module that included a microphone to command Hubot verbally."

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Hanging... and smiling! -

(image via)

New York Aerial Police Force Stunt, 1920 - see in bigger size here.

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"Fight the White Jello!" -

(cover art by Ed Valigursky, for "Dark Destroyers" by Manly Wade Wellman, 1960)

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A Little Squid Got the Fish

Squid "babies" face intense struggle for survival: they have many enemies and not much food. This one got lucky:

(image credit: Takeshi Katano)

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The "Princess Margaret SR.N4" Hovercraft vs. People on the Beach at Calais

(image credit: David J. Morgan)

"Established over 40 years ago as a fast, efficient and futuristic means of crossing to France, the service was seen as the future of sea travel. The Princess Margaret went on its first trip in 1968 (this photo was taken in 1997), but in 2005 the service was cancelled and the giant SR.N4s now sit at the Hovercraft museum at Lee-On-Solent."

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Novelty Yarn & Houseplants Hairdo Styles

(images via 1, 2)

This yarn is only an advertisement by Ogilvy & Mather Agency... but the flower pots were actually made in the Republic of Kazakhstan, see more here.

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Goose in Sandals. Looks Sharp!

(image via)

Read the story about this goose at Cute Overload.

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Agreed!

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