Tag Archives: inventions

Long Before Inline Skates Were a Thing, There Were Ritter’s Aptly Named Road Skates, ca. 1898

Like inline skates, they were meant to free skating enthusiasts of those pesky iceless roads. As an advertisement reads, “Ritter Road Skates allow anyone to practice the graceful and healthful pastimes of speed and figure skating on any road or other suitable surface.” The skates were sold by the Road Skate Co of Oxford Street,Continue reading “Long Before Inline Skates Were a Thing, There Were Ritter’s Aptly Named Road Skates, ca. 1898”

This 1940s ‘Slenderizing’ Equipment Promised to Reduce Hips, Buttocks and Thighs

In November 1940, LIFE photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt went to New York City and captured model Pat Ogden testing out the trendiest fitness fad of the decade – the Slenderizing Salon. Using metal rollers to massage women’s “problem areas,” the Slenderizing Salon claimed to help women lose weight without exercise by stimulating muscle contractions. (Photos byContinue reading “This 1940s ‘Slenderizing’ Equipment Promised to Reduce Hips, Buttocks and Thighs”

The Luxury Apartment on Wheels: Camping in Style in a 1930s Jungle Yacht

The Jungle Yacht was created for and used by Italian explorer Commander Attilio Gatti and his wife, who both traveled extensively to the African Congo as a deluxe apartment “for his 1937-1940 (his 10th) and 1947 (his 11th) expeditions” and “equipped them quite lavishly.” The expedition used two streamlined trailers designed by Count Alexis deContinue reading “The Luxury Apartment on Wheels: Camping in Style in a 1930s Jungle Yacht”

The Fascinating Story of George Crum, Inventor of the Potato Chip in 1853

Every time a person crunches into a potato chip, he or she is enjoying the delicious taste of one of the world’s most famous snacks – a treat that might not exist without the contribution of black inventor George Crum. George Speck, also called George Crum was born on July 15, 1824 in Saratoga CountyContinue reading “The Fascinating Story of George Crum, Inventor of the Potato Chip in 1853”

In 1952, Georges Monneret Built an “Amphibious Vespa” for the Paris-London Race and Successfully Crossed the English Channel on It

In 1952, French motorcycle racing champion Georges Monneret leaving Paris, France for for Calais, where he was met with a crew who installed a pair of custom pontoons to scooter. It was an amphibious craft powered by a 1952 125cc Vespa Douglas. From there, Monneret went about crossing the famed English Channel aboard the waterborneContinue reading “In 1952, Georges Monneret Built an “Amphibious Vespa” for the Paris-London Race and Successfully Crossed the English Channel on It”

22 Vintage Photos of Harley-Davidson Servi-Cars From the 1930s

The three-wheeled Servi-Car was Harley-Davidson’s third motorcycle purposely designed for commercial use. Before it’s introduction in 1932, Harley had tried to enter the commercial market, first with the motorcycle truck and then with the package truck. Neither of these vehicles had the success that Harley was to have with the Servi-Car. It would become Harley’sContinue reading “22 Vintage Photos of Harley-Davidson Servi-Cars From the 1930s”