Tsar Nicholas II’s Daughters Proudly Showing Their Bald Heads in 1917
This post was originally published on this siteDuring World War I, the four daughters of Tsar Nicholas II — Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia — […]
health care
Sharing a Cigarette During the Tour de France, ca. 1927
This post was originally published on this siteDuring the Tour de France in 1927, a captivating moment was captured as two cyclists shared a cigarette […]
The “Death Diary” of Renowned Herpetologist Karl P. Schmidt in 1957
This post was originally published on this siteIn 1957, renowned herpetologist Karl P. Schmidt documented his own death in a meticulous scientific account that newspapers […]
The Dangers of the Baby Feeding Bottles in the Victorian Era
This post was originally published on this sitePatented around 1879–1880, these glass or earthenware “banjo” shaped bottles allowed babies to self-feed. Many had sweet sounding […]
In the 1950s, Hospital Patients Can Buy Cigarettes Right From Their Beds
This post was originally published on this siteIn the 1950s, selling cigarettes in hospitals was a routine, accepted practice, with staff often wheeling carts directly […]
Paul Karason, a Man Made Famous After His Skin Turned Permanently Blue in the 1990s
This post was originally published on this sitePaul Karason, famously known as the “Blue Man” or “Papa Smurf,” began his transformation in the early to […]
The Tragedy Story of Mary Mallon, aka “Typhoid Mary”
This post was originally published on this siteMary Mallon (1869–1938), better known as Typhoid Mary, was the first person in the United States identified as […]
Angus Barbieri, the Man Who Fasted for 382 Days and Lost 276 Pounds (125 Kg) in the 1960s
This post was originally published on this siteAngus Barbieri was a Scottish man who fasted for 382 days, from June 14, 1965 to June 30, […]
In 1948, Mr. Cig, the Mascot, Handed Out Free Cigarettes to Patients at Hospitals in England
This post was originally published on this siteIn the 1940s, a promotional campaign featured a human-sized cigarette mascot known as “Mr. Cig” or “Mr. Cigarette” […]
Before Commercial Airplanes Were Pressurized, Passengers Required Oxygen Masks at High Altitudes
This post was originally published on this siteBefore pressurized cabins changed aviation forever, flying high was a serious and risky business. In the 1930s, commercial […]
In the Late and Early 20th Centuries, Hospitals Often Featured Sun Decks Where Patients Could Bask in Natural Sunlight
This post was originally published on this siteOld hospitals, especially those built from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century, often had sun decks, […]
In 1964, 17-Year-Old Randy Gardner Set the World Record for Sleep Deprivation by Staying Awake for 11 Days and 25 Minutes
This post was originally published on this siteIn late December 1963, 17-year-old Randy Gardner and his friend Bruce McAllister decided to explore the effects of […]
Photos of Hurdle Athlete Wendy Jeal (aka “the Woman With the Steel Legs”) Training for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games
This post was originally published on this siteWendy Jeal (born November 21, 1960) is a female English former track and field athlete who competed in […]
The Mama Cass Elliot Diet
This post was originally published on this siteThroughout her career, Cass Elliot had to face cruel, constant and pervasive fatphobia. She tried to use humor […]
Marilyn Monroe Enjoying a Hot-Fudge Sundae at Wil Wright’s Ice Cream Parlor in Beverly Hills, 1952
This post was originally published on this siteMarilyn Monroe enjoying an ice cream sundae at Wil Wright’s, a Southern California chain of ice cream parlors […]
Marilyn Monroe’s Strange Diet Secrets
This post was originally published on this siteThe life of the cultural icon may have been laced with mystery but in an interview with Pageant […]
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Advertising for Phillip Morris in the 1950s
This post was originally published on this siteLucille Ball and Desi Arnaz we’re both lifelong smokers. Phillip Morris sponsored the I Love Lucy and promoted […]
Photographs of Alfred Hitchcock Taking During His 1943 Diet for His Cameo Appearance in “Lifeboat”
This post was originally published on this siteAlfred Hitchcock had a hard time devising one of his signature walk-ons for Lifeboat (1944), a film about […]
Railroad Sleep Hanger, 1949
This post was originally published on this siteIn 1949, for railroad travelers, Dr. Igo Seeger of Vienna had came up with a sleep hanger that […]
Rest Chair for Movie Stars, 1933
This post was originally published on this siteMovie stars must rest between scenes despite tight gowns that can’t be sat down in without disaster. This […]
Icebox on Wrist to Cool the Whole Body, 1934
This post was originally published on this siteIn 1934, Purdue University physicists said the whole body may be kept cool during the hottest weather by […]
Exercise in Hammock Helps to Reduce Weight, 1924
This post was originally published on this siteTo exercise the parts of the body in which fat accumulates, and help users improve their physical condition, […]
Folding Board Makes It Easy to Rest, 1939
This post was originally published on this sitePerfect relaxation was declared possible with an adjustable “posture board” designed by a California inventor in 1939. With […]
New V-Shaped Bed Cradling Body for More Restful Sleep, 1932
This post was originally published on this siteA V-shaped bed invented in 1932, supporting the body perfectly at every point and thus promotes better rest. […]
Midget Hot-Water Bottle Soothes Toothaches, 1939
This post was originally published on this siteIn 1939, a doll-size hot-water bottle on the market was said to be a handy medicine-cabinet accessory for […]