Thursday, July 17, 2025

Hot custom accessories

Pick a colour, any colour, you need these fuzzy dice...
 

Massey Toronto Light Binder


 In the late 1800s, farm equipment trials were the sporting spectacles of the day. In 1889 Massey went to the event in Paris with their "Toronto Light Binder" and came home with not only a gold medal but also a Grand Object of Art Award.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Sikorsky S-38 "Osa's Ark"


 The S-38 was a well performing 10 seat flying boat introduced in 1928. It was able to cruise at 100 mph with a range of 600 miles with good landing and takeoff characteristics. It could also fly on one engine (important at that time).
  101 were produced, including this zebra-striped one used by Martin and Osa Johnson to explore Africa while making safari movies and books.  No idea why the paint job was necessary, I don't think it fooled anyone, but they also had a S-39 named Spirit of Africa in a giraffe pattern. More here at Youtube.

In the 1990s, two replicas were built, one of which is owned by Kermit Weeks, who also replicated the zebra stripe paint job.

1956 Cadillac

In this ad the woman's gown is featured more prominently than the car- and no gown credits even given... someone slipped up.

 

Monday, July 14, 2025

Goodyear airship, Pilgrim

Aircraft of the National Air and Space Museum, Smithonian, 1985

 In the mid 1920s Goodyear constructed a number of small scale airships designed to demonstrate and train pilots in lighter-than-air craft, the Pilgrim was one of these. It was made of a magnesium coated steel tube frame with a rubberized fabric balloon. The envelope had a capacity of 55,000 cubic feet of gas and was the first airship designed to utilize helium as the lifting gas. 

 The engine was a single Lawrence air-cooled three cylinder engine of 40 hp, with a 40 gallon fuel tank, giving it had a range of 525 miles. Launched in 1925, it made 4765 flights before being retired in 1931.

  Below, landing atop the M. O'Neil department store in Akron, Ohio. That must be the railway terminal on the left in the background.

Monday medal mystery

 


Here is a medal, more of pin or badge, I guess...  with the word Transeuope, a limousine or early bus and a strong male figure holding what may be scales? The only Transeurope I know is the train, was there a car company or a limousine/bus service? See below, AI doesn't know either:-) Any ideas?



Sunday, July 13, 2025

Marion Model 35

Mike Filey, Victor Russell, From Horse Power to Horsepower, Toronto 1890-1930, Dundurn Press, 1991

This Marion steam shovel cost the City of Toronto $8665 in 1911 and was described as a "self propelled, full circle" steam shovel. It was used to prepare the right of way for the Gerrard St. streetcar line.

 

Sidecar Sunday

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 Apparently just a random photo... No idea who they are.