University of California History Map
This map of California notes the locations of the various campuses of the UC system. But it’s a bit of a puzzler. Obviously, there is… Read More »University of California History Map
TIL
Nostalgia alert – Push Puppet
Wow, a thing I probably haven’t thought about in a billion years, and one image brings it instantly back. My fingers remember exactly what it… Read More »Nostalgia alert – Push Puppet
Milk Caps – aka POGs
This binder had quite a collection, ranging from older authentic milk caps like these to later pog-craze pogs with a 1990s Poochy artistic sensibility. POG,… Read More »Milk Caps – aka POGs
Hoot-Nanny The Magic Designer
This thing is awesome. Some kind of precursor to the Spirograph. Toy Tales has a great picture and some background on the origins in the… Read More »Hoot-Nanny The Magic Designer
Ward’s Orange Crush
Before Orange Crush was Orange Crush, it was Ward’s Orange Crush: “It was created in 1911 by beverage and extract chemist Neil C. Ward.” These… Read More »Ward’s Orange Crush
Magic Tulip Top
New! Mystifying! Fascinating! When the top is spun up, centrifugal force* opens the petals to reveal a ballerina. Here’s some video of one in action.… Read More »Magic Tulip Top
Ken Murray’s Blackouts
Looks like the Blackouts were a live Hollywood variety show in the 1940s. Some great background here from Los Angeles Theaters: “Ken Murray’s Blackouts” played… Read More »Ken Murray’s Blackouts
Asbestos Sad Iron
What the heck is a sad iron? Did it drop its ice cream on the floor? And asbestos? Homethingspast has the scoop. Somewhat implausibly, ‘sad’… Read More »Asbestos Sad Iron
Map of California and Great Salt Lake area
Fascinating map of California and the settlements of the Great Salt Lake area of Utah. Seems like a strange combo, but an obvious connection is… Read More »Map of California and Great Salt Lake area
The Littlest Hobo
This script came from the estate of actor Gregg Palmer, probably best known for Western roles (even when he was on Star Trek). They had… Read More »The Littlest Hobo