Showing posts with label invention. Show all posts
Showing posts with label invention. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Hand-Drawn Thompson's Ad

One longtime tenant of the Thomson building was, duh, O. E. Thompson, natch. Dusty D was digging around in the "miscellaneous business" file the other day and found this gem--a hand-drawn ad, pencil marks still visible, for Thompson's Grass Seeders. This was a piece of artist's drawing-board or craft-board that would be taken down to the local paper; note the note to the printer: "this size." The drawing area is about 4.5 inches square.

The seeder may have been a device of Thompson's own invention. Thompson was a prolific inventor and produced several of his inventions right there in the Thompson Building.

Some of his inventions include a root-cutter, a kraut cutter (very much like a modern kitchen mandoline, at right), and two different fertilizer distributors.

Not to be snarky, Dusty D loves how the advertisement's word "original" is put in "quotes."

Those who love to decry what they perceive as illiteracy in supermarket "signs" and the like can see that such "mistakes" have an old "precedent."

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Reverend Tindall's Tellurian: YpsiNews.com


What did an overworked Ypsilanti minister unexpectedly invent in 1874?

You can find out over yonder at YpsiNews.com by reading my newest story, "Reverend Tindall's Tellurian."

I like this one, and I hope you do as well.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Readers: Please Consider Installing a Telephone: For the Children!

Kind readers, far be it from me to butt into your business. But have you ever considered getting a telephone installed in your home?

This poor babe in the March 15, 1938 Ypsilanti Daily Press entreats you. "And if I do get a touch of colic...or have a nervous breakdown...do you know what'll bring it on? Worry! Yes sir, worrying about how long it would take to get the doctor."

Poor li'l tyke. Now, I know kind readers have a million other expenses...but this is just a gentle reminder that it might not be a bad idea to go ahead and get one of those Michigan Bell phones in your very own home.

Just a thought. Poor kid.