Tom McMahon

New GE 7-Point Program Helps You Plan And Obtain Nuclear Research Reactor

New GE 7-Point Program Helps You Plan And Obtain Nuclear Research Reactor

The 1950's was such an optimistic decade, eh?

August 21, 1966: The Beatles Play 2 Shows in 2 States in 1 Day

August 21, 1966: The Beatles Play 2 Shows in 2 States in 1 Day

The show in Cincinnati the previous day was rained out, so they played Cincinnati in the day and St. Louis at night. Thanks to Donna J Gamache for saving her ticket!

The Gateway Arch Great PDM Controversy

Arch With PDM On The Cross-Brace

When they reached a point near the completion of the Gateway Arch, they had to stabilize it with a cross-brace. The cross-brace had the letters PDM on it, standing for Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel. This "advertising" caused a great deal of controversy. So they made PDM take the letters down.

Arch Is Completed Without PDM On The Cross-Brace

How Much Did It Cost To See The Beatles Live in 1966? $5

How Much Did It Cost To See The Beatles Live in 1966? $5

From Tim Neeley over at the Facebook Group KXOK 630AM Radio "St.Louis Flashback" the 60's

Batter Whipped Sunbeam Commercial: It's Better Because It Splits Down The Middle Evenly

Batter Whipped Sunbeam Commercial: It's Better Because It Splits Down The Middle Evenly

It was this very commercial that made me realize as a kid that advertising was bogus.

It's Great To Be Alive, a Safety Booklet For Kids

It's Great To Be Alive, a Safety Booklet For Kids

Sunoco Blend-O-Matic Gas Pump

Sunoco Blend-O-Matic Gas Pump

These were around in the 1960's

Sunoco Blend-O-Matic Gas Pump Blend Selector

How it worked:

When the 1960’s was getting under way, some changes were being made in the Sunoco camp. Instead of just 1 grade of gasoline, there were 6 different premium grades found in only 1 Blue Sunoco pump. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Sunoco during the 1960’s and early 1970’s, you might find it unusual, but clever.

When a motorist stopped at a Sunoco station, he/she called out a specific number from 200-240 or 260, and the Sunoco attendant filled the vehicle with the gasoline that went along with that particular number. The motorist had the choice of 200 (premium), 210, 220, 230, and 240 (all mid premium), and 260 (super premium). If the motorist asked for 200, the attendant moved the “Blend Selector” dial on the side of the Blue Sunoco pump to 200. From there, the attendant was ready to fill the vehicle with 200 gasoline. If the motorist asked for a higher number, it got really interesting! The Sunoco attendant moved the Blend Selector dial to the desired number. The vehicle was being filled with a combination of 200 gasoline and a specific amount of octane additive for the desired number. The higher the number, a higher amount of octane additive was used. This unique method was known as “Custom Blending.” As far as I know, Sunoco was the only oil company to do this.

1950 Studebaker

1950 Studebaker

Battle of the Bangboards: The Complete Corn Huskers Digest of Contest Records -- Alleman to Tonica

Battle of the Bangboards: The Complete Corn Huskers Digest of Contest Records -- Alleman to Tonica

An excerpt:

In its time, it drew crowds of more than 100,000. One day each fall, it was featured coast-to-coast on NBC's National Farm and Home Hour. In a final showdown of endurance and skill, champions and runners-up came from all across the Midwest to race for 80 minutes without a break. They did not kick a ball or toss weights; they simply made a sport out of a common farm job and did it exceedingly well.

Some called it America's "Nubbin Derby". Others called it the "Battle of the Bangboards". Officially it was known as the National Corn Husking Contest. It had begun modestly in 1924 with a few fast hand huskers coming together from Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska under the sponsorship of state farm papers. Other nearby states began joining in until by 1938, eight more states were represented: Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.

The big event was suspended in 1942 because of the stringencies of World War II. This suspension turned out to be permanent. Mechanization of the corn harvest, already approaching rather wide adoption by 1942, accelerated rapidly with the resumption of peacetime manufacturing. No hand husker could compete with a machine and even the fastest ones bought machines too. A few kept themselves in trim by leaving an acre or so for practice. But soon, their hooks, too, were hung away forever.

120,000 People at the 1940 National Corn Husking Contest in Davenport, Iowa

The 1941 National Corn Husking Contest was held in my parents' hometown of Tonica, Illinois. That's when they started going together, Well, one thing led to another, and ...

When Farmers Were Heroes: The Era of National Corn Husking Contests

When Farmers Were Heroes: The Era of National Corn Husking Contests

The blurb:

Husking is the oldest method of harvesting corn. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, national contests drew over 100,000 spectators. Our documentary DVD, complete with original film, showcases this traditional farm skill and the traditional farm values celebrated throughout the Midwest during corn husking contests... values like individualism, determination, work ethic and self-sufficiency. From the early 1920s through 1941, local, state, and national corn husking contests were prominent on the national scene. National contests were broadcast live on nation-wide network radio, providing "ear-to-ear" coverage. In 1936, Time magazine declared corn husking "...the fastest growing sporting spectacle in the world." Contest winners became idolized heroes who were sought after by national media for interviews, paid to endorse products, and received proposals of marriage from female fans.

The rise in popularity of corn husking contests and their role in buoying spirits during the Depression are unique in American history. When Farmers Were Heroes: The Era of National Corn Husking Contests , portrays the rich and traditional farm heritage of corn husking. Farm historians in Illinois and Wisconsin have written books about this subject, but no documentary has been created to visually bring the subject to life for students and the general public. We assembled a wealth of background material for this project, much of it as the result of research conducted by Heritage board member Ronald Deiss. Materials include books and articles, artifacts, photographs, audio broadcasts, and several original films of corn husking contests. We also conducted filmed interviews with former contestants. Husking contests continue today on a small scale; we include live footage from the national contest at Roseville, Illinois, held in the fall of 2008.

Now available on DVD for $10.