The product of the fertile imagination of a Professor E. J. Christie of Marion, Ohio, this gyroscopic unicycle was supposedly capable of speeds of up to 400 miles per hour, although at the time of an article from the April, 1923 issue of Popular Science, it had yet to be tested. To be fair, theContinue reading “1923 Christie Monowheel, the Mother of All Monowheels”
Tag Archives: 1920s
Charlotte Greenwood Performing Her Signature High Kicks
Charlotte Greenwood (June 25, 1890 – December 28, 1977) was an American actress and dancer. Born in Philadelphia, Greenwood started in vaudeville, and starred on Broadway, movies and radio. Standing around six feet tall, she was best known for her long legs and high kicks. Her kicks were truly astonishing. By one account her skillsContinue reading “Charlotte Greenwood Performing Her Signature High Kicks”
Wonderful Creations of “America’s Puppet Master” Tony Sarg
Anthony Frederick Sarg (1880–1942), known professionally as Tony Sarg, was a German American puppeteer and illustrator. Born in Cobán, Guatemala, Sarg later took up residence in the United Kingdom in 1905. After World War I broke out, he settled the family in New York City in 1915. In 1920, Sarg became a naturalized citizen ofContinue reading “Wonderful Creations of “America’s Puppet Master” Tony Sarg”
The Nine-Fingered Geisha: 30 Vintage Portraits of Chishō Takaoka aka Teruha From the Early 20th Century
Chishō Takaoka (April 22, 1896 – October 22, 1994) was a geisha in Shinbashi who became a Buddhist nun later in life. Her stage name was Chiyoha or Teruha, while her real name was Tatsuko Takaoka. She became famous for her radiant beauty, and for chopping off one of her fingers for her lover. SheContinue reading “The Nine-Fingered Geisha: 30 Vintage Portraits of Chishō Takaoka aka Teruha From the Early 20th Century”
Corinne Griffith: One of the Most Beautiful Actresses of the Silent Film Era
Born 1894 in Waco, Texas, American actress Corinne Griffith pursued a film career after winning a beauty contest in Southern California. In 1916, she signed a contract with Vitagraph Studios, appearing in numerous films for the studio through the remainder of the decade. In 1920, Griffith began making films for First National Pictures, and becameContinue reading “Corinne Griffith: One of the Most Beautiful Actresses of the Silent Film Era”
In the 1920s, People Thought Radioactive Water Was Good for the Health
Back in the 1920s, people thought that drinking radium, and thorium, infused water was healthy. One of the more famous varieties of this water was sold under the brand name Radithor. It was eventually famously implicated in the illness and subsequent death of an industrialist named Eben Byers, which was accompanied by the headline ofContinue reading “In the 1920s, People Thought Radioactive Water Was Good for the Health”
30 Old Portrait Photos of Manila Ladies From the Early 20th Century
Manila is the capital of the Philippines, and its second most populous city. It is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay, on the island of Luzon. The Pasig River flows through the middle of the city, dividing it into the north and south sections. Manila became autonomous with the passage of Republic ActContinue reading “30 Old Portrait Photos of Manila Ladies From the Early 20th Century”
Mug Shots of Criminals in Calgary, 1920
A mug shot is a photographic portrait of a person from the shoulders up, typically taken after a person is arrested. The original purpose of the mug shot was to allow law enforcement to have a photographic record of an arrested individual to allow for identification by victims, the public and investigators. After the defeatContinue reading “Mug Shots of Criminals in Calgary, 1920”
Portrait Photos of Louise Brooks During the Filming of ‘Now We’re in the Air’ (1927)
Now We’re in the Air is a 1927 American silent comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer, starring the late-1920s intermittent comedy team of Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton. In a supporting role, Louise Brooks plays twins, one raised French and the other raised German. Wallace Beery and Louise Brooks worked together the following yearContinue reading “Portrait Photos of Louise Brooks During the Filming of ‘Now We’re in the Air’ (1927)”
Beautiful Photos of Australian Actress Mae Busch in the Early 20th Century
Born 1891 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australian actress Mae Busch had her first film appearances in The Agitator and The Water Nymph, both released in 1912. She worked in both silent and sound films in early Hollywood. At the pinnacle of her film career, Busch was known as the versatile vamp. She starred in such featureContinue reading “Beautiful Photos of Australian Actress Mae Busch in the Early 20th Century”
