Uncle Sam Wants YOU on a National Bicycle — 1896
In celebration of American Independence Day, I give you Uncle Sam shilling for the National Cycle Manufacturing Co.
Transportation
Massachusetts “In the Future” — ca. 1908
How did the future of years past differ from today’s present? For one thing, there are a lot fewer flying and floating contraptions littering the sky these days. Click to see some wonderfully odd postcards featuring visions of what several Massachusetts towns might look like “in the future.”
Baby Ruth Chewing Gum
The thought of Baby Ruth-branded gum… it just doesn’t seem right. The new product was introduced to the public in 1928 by dropping thousands of packages of the gum from an airplane, each one attached to its own little parachute which floated down to the waiting hands of eager children. Read more….
“The Prairie Pirates”: Electric Steampunk in Texas — 1904
It’s lassoes vs. electric dynamite guns in this thrilling story of a crazy armored vehicle and a battle with masked desperadoes in Texas!
The Propeller-Driven German Train Known as “The Rail Zeppelin”
Check out this crazy prototype — a streamlined aluminum locomotive with a propeller and a BMW V12 engine. The videos are cool.
The AMC/Rambler Marlin Fastback — 1966
“Stick for you, automatic for her.” Click to see full classy, sassy ad.
Chasing Pancho Villa on the Border in Tricked-Out Harley-Davidsons — ca. 1916
The motorcycle was first used in active service by the U.S. military by Gen. “Black Jack” Pershing in order to chase Pancho Villa across rugged terrain — some were outfitted with sidecars and Colt machine guns.
