Sunday, May 3, 2026

Sidecar Sardine Sunday

 

  An illustration for the artisan sardine cannery La Quiberonnaise, by comic book artist Frank Margerin.


Saturday, May 2, 2026

Zubian sealing wax


 Sealing wax for sealing lids while canning fruits and vegetables, when that was a normal part of life, not sure where the seemingly exotic name "Zubian" came from. 

The Dicks- Pontius company didn't disappear as canning became less popular, they branched out into calks and sealants after WW2, merging with Armstrong and changing their name to a name you might recognize- DAP Global, and are thriving today.

 


One of my vices is vises, Peter Wright

Thanks, Arthur!

  British manufacturer Peter Wright was known for their innovative solid-screwbox post/leg vises for blacksmith use.  Up to that point the thread was usually coiled and brazed, a much less strong process. The leg transferred the shock of hammering directly to the ground.

They were introduced in about 1848 and made into the early 20th century and were often stamped with "Peter Wright", "Solid Box" or "Patent" on the back part of the screwbox.



Friday, May 1, 2026

Aluminum!

 


  The industrial production of aluminum was made possible by the invention of the electrolytic aluminum process in 1886. Aluminum had been discovered in 1825 and due to the difficulty of converting bauxite to the metal was basically considered to be a precious metal till the Hall–Héroult process came on line in the 1890s. This ad is from 1911, letting everyone know it was here to stay. Interesting that all the products are directed at the woman of the house. That would soon change with the metal becoming an integral part of the aviation industry during World War 1.

Fashion Friday, Gypsy Baron hat


  Gay as a gypsy, manufactured by Hodson Berg of Fifth Avenue. Probably didn't catch on, no definitive images online that I could find, but would probably suit a man in jodhpurs. The people look like our kinda people...

The artist George E Hughes appears to have been an illustrator for Saturday Night Post and other magazines

Magdraulic electric brakes


Electrically assisted brakes for your postwar Harley or Indian.

Pau Grand Prix poster


  Pau is located in the southwest corner of France. The 110-lap race was won by Maserati driver Juan Manuel Fangio after starting from pole position. 

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Steam tugboats

 Steam tug Pioneer among the squareriggers it guided to moorings at Port Gamble lumber mills in Puget Sound. Makes me wonder, how did these ungainly cargo vessels negotiate harbours and docks before tugboats?

 

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Rolls Royce steak delivery

Car Collector magazine, Mar 1990

 Two of these unique refrigerated vehicles were constructed for the Gilbert Sirloin Store for local meat delivery in Rhode Island. They were apparently based on Rolls Royce chassis from the Springfield Mass factory. The body builder and dates are unknown but they seem to have been retired during WW2 as gas rationing came into play. No information online about these trucks or the store.