Bruce's Smorsasborg

 By Bruce Shawkey Johnson Smith Company was a mail-order business established in 1914 by Alfred Johnson Smith that sold novelty items and gag gifts such as miniature cameras, invisible ink, x-ray specs, whoopee cushions, fake vomit, and joy buzzers. Founded in Chicago, the company relocated to Racine, Wisconsin in 1923, to Detroit in the late 1930s, then to Bradenton, Florida in 1986. The company advertised in magazines devoted to children and young adults such as Boys' Life, Popular Mechanics, and Science Digest. Their ads appeared on the back cover of many historically significant comic books, including Action Comics #1, June 1938 (first appearance of Superman) and Detective Comics #27, May 1939 (first appearance of Batman). I found a 1951 catalog of theirs on the Internet Archive, and it is a hoot. Here is the cover: I've ordered a few things from them; nothing expensive. I was always great fun to browse their catalog. Here is a link to their complete catalog . It takes a wh...

 By Bruce Shawkey Found this interesting book on the Internet. Published in 1880, it is 550 pages of the author's interpretation of how ancient Egyptians lived, what they ate, and so forth. Here's small sample of the chapter headings: Vases of various Kinds—Boxes of the Toilet and others, Preparation for Dinner Table brought in, Guests seated at Dinner, Figure of a dead Man brought in Dancing and Entertainments, Various Games, Dwarfs, Wrestling, Fighting with Sticks  Arts and Manufactures Glass, Linen, Dyeing—Rope-making, Papyrus, Leather-cutters, Potters, Cabinet-makers and Carpenters, Makers of Chariots and Coffins, Coopers  Boats, Tin and other Metals Gold Mines —Gold Working and Gilding. A sample of the illustrations How anyone could tell how and what the Egyptians ate, slept, wrestled, made Papyrus, is beyond me. Seems to me it takes a fair amount of speculation on the author's part. Well, it makes for fun reading, anyway.

 By Bruce Shawkey Of all the museums in Washington, D.C., I like the National Museum of American History the most. Construction of the National Museum of American History began in the late 1950s, and opened to the public in January 1964. They regularly feature something of interest on their website, and here are some of their past and present  exhibits.   Edison's talking machine In 1877 Thomas Edison invented the first device to ever record and play back sound. Soundwaves captured by a mouthpiece caused a stylus attached to a diaphragm to move up and down, making indentations on a sheet of tinfoil wrapped around a rotating drum. In playback, the stylus traced those indentations, causing the diaphragm to recreate a recognizable version of the original sound. Edison’s “talking machine” was a public sensation. It -- not the light bulb -- earned him the moniker “Wizard of Menlo Park.” Americans first read about the device in the papers, but soon witnessed it f...

Throughout his long and varied career, pioneer and visionary Ted Nelson investigated technical possibilities of all kinds.  He checked reader service cards from magazines in a wide variety of industries, unleashing torrents of further information on products, services and academic research.  Companies large and small, ranging from large names like IBM and Burroughs to short-lived startups, sent their brochures, catalogs and flyers-- mailings from aerospace, engineering, print/publishing and many examples of documentation from the early days of computing. After looking, Dr. Nelson threw these in cartons, which have survived by accident. These items are now being scanned in and presented for browsing at the Internet Archive. Whether for nostalgia, reference or research, this collection gives deep insight into the self-image and language of many companies, as well as the visual style of many long-lost aspects of the 20th century's industries. To see the archive: https://arch...

 By Bruce Shawkey Saw one of these the other day. Guy was traversing the sidewalk going under the bridge at Whitney Way and the Beltline. Electric unicycles (EUCs) are gaining popularity as a unique and practical mode of urban transportation. They offer several advantages, including speed, portability, and environmental friendliness.   Key Features and Benefits of EUCs: Speed: EUCs can reach impressive speeds, with many models capable of exceeding typical e-bike speeds. Entry-level EUCs like the INMOTION E20 can reach 13 mph. Portability: EUCs are generally compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry on public transport or store in tight spaces. Maneuverability: With a single wheel, EUCs are highly maneuverable and can navigate narrow spaces and crowded urban environments with ease. Environmental Friendliness: EUCs are powered by electricity, making them a greener alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles. They are currently priced around $1,600, making them cheaper...

  Mom and Dave Moul Dad and Ken Kohl Mom with baby Bruce at Grandma and Grampa's house