Involuntary winces all round...
Sunday, September 6, 2026
G-man gun
Made by the Louis Marx toy company, this was a wind-up toy that made machine gun noises. Just the thing for a depression era boy.
Friday, September 4, 2026
Hat stretcher
The handle turns on a double ended thread, moving the two ends further apart- to stretch that hat you rashly bought without trying on first.
United Sports Mfg.
More do-it-yourself lead sinkers. Apparently everyone was making fishing equipment at home in their spare time.
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Tarzon Guided bomb
The Tarzon was a development of the 6 ton British Tallboy bomb, enhanced with the Guidance system from the earlier Razon guided bomb. It saw limited use in Korea.
Good names…
Schildt Cutter
This was a tool designed as an aid to assist first responders in extricating victims of a car accident. The blade was intended to puncture and slice sheet metal, the hammer was for glass. Probably not terribly effective, it was replaced by the “Jaws of life” type tools.
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Recycle, reuse…1874 architectural edition
This is the Florence Sturdivant Public Library in East Machias, Maine, named for the benefactor who donated thousands of books and money to house them. It’s just a nice little brick building with 5 foot diameter flour grinding wheels incorporated in the front facade. Unfortunately the library was closed, so I couldn’t ask how that came about. Presumably someone had some extras hanging around and why not do something creative with them?
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
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