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TV Listings Flashback #5: July 31, 1972

This edition of the TV Listings Flashback showcases the CBS evening lineup for Monday, July 31, 1972. Specifically, South Bend, Indiana affiliate WSBT-TV Channel 22. Let’s take a look:

WSBT-TV Channel 22 CBS lineup for July 31, 1972

  • 5:00 What’s My Line?
  • 5:30 CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite
  • 6:00 Local news
  • 6:30 To Tell the Truth
  • 7:00 Gunsmoke
  • 8:00 Here’s Lucy
  • 8:30 The Doris Day Show
  • 9:00 Suspense Playhouse (Call to Danger with Peter Graves and James Gregory)
  • 10:00 Late local news
  • 10:30 The CBS Late Movie (The Glass Bottom Boat with Doris Day and Rod Taylor)

Retrotisements: The Early Days of Kentucky Fried Chicken

One of the many things that makes Kentucky Fried Chicken unique in fast food history is that its growth as a powerhouse franchise was not quite as direct as, say, McDonald’s. For one thing, the chain began not as a dedicated franchise location but rather as a menu of items out of a regular restaurant. In this case, KFC was essentially born in a pair of motels/restaurants in Asheville, North Carolina and Corbin, Kentucky. Colonel Harland Sanders, who owned both in the 1930s, rebuilt his Corbin location as a motel with a 140-seat restaurant after a fire struck in late 1939.

Here is a June 1940 newspaper ad for the Sanders Court & Café, published in the Asheville Citizen Times. Note how there is no reference to chicken:

June 1940 newspaper ad for the Sanders Court & Café (Kentucky Fried Chicken)

The first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise opened on September 24, 1952 in Salt Lake City, Utah. But in the first several years of KFC’s franchise operations, it was not comprised solely of standalone buildings. Rather, what happened was that Col. Sanders licensed the right to sell chicken with the KFC brand and recipe to individual restaurants. Here are a few examples of how that looked in advertisements, starting with a March 1955 ad for the Ross Inn in the Cumberland, Indiana area. Take note of the first nationwide KFC logo:

March 1955 ad for the Ross Inn in the Cumberland, Indiana area, selling Kentucky Fried Chicken

Come meet Colonel Sanders!

Here’s a 1956 ad for The Huddle restaurant with some wonderful ad copy featuring “The Story of Kentucky Fried Chicken” from Lafayette, Indiana:

1956 Kentucky Fried Chicken ad

And here’s a 1958 Tillman’s Plaza ad featuring KFC’s famous tagline, “It’s Finger Lickin’ Good”:

1958 Tillman's Plaza ad featuring KFC's famous tagline, "It's Finger Lickin' Good"

Lastly, here’s a slightly grainy but great 1957 ad from KFC ground zero — Salt Lake City. It’s one of the first ads I’ve seen to prominently feature one of the iconic brand elements of KFC, the striped bucket. The Harman Cafe was owend by Pete Harman, who was the first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchisee. Harman worked with Colonel Sanders to develop and prepare the KFC system for franchising, working to develop training manuals and product guides. His other claims to fame are the development of the bucket packaging and the emphasis on the “Finger-lickin’ good” motto.

1957 Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)/Harman Cafe ad

KCEN-TV (Temple/Waco, TX)

Film at 11: A Gallery of Vintage TV News Program Ads

Sometimes I know that a post I’m putting together is destined to get 20 views if I’m lucky. But I have to follow my muse wherever she may lead me, and today she leads me to TV newsrooms across the country.

I can’t say exactly why, but I find these old advertisements for network TV news programs to be just so… quaint? Charming? I don’t quite know how to put it. I just love how much these ads convey what it must have been like to watch the news back in the day — not slick in the least. Just a bunch of square white men (and sometimes white women) reading the day’s events.

And now the news of the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s…

WOKR (Rochester, NY), 1969

WOKR (Rochester, NY), 1969

WCAX (Burlington, VT), 1973

WCAX (Burlington, VT), 1973

KGO-TV (San Francisco, CA), 1971

KGO-TV (San Francisco, CA), 1971

WKTV (Utica/Rome, NY), 1973

WKTV (Utica/Rome, NY), 1973

WCTV (Thomasville/Tallahassee, FL), 1975

WCTV (Thomasville/Tallahassee, FL), 1975

 

WMAL-TV (Washington, D.C.), 1975

WMAL (Washington, D.C.), 1975

WTVM-TV (Columbus, GA), 1975

WTVM (Columbus, GA), 1975

WTVO-TV (Rockford, IL), 1959

WTVO (Rockford, IL), 1959

WTEN-TV (Albany/Schenectady/Troy, NY)

WTEN (Albany/Schenectady/Troy, NY), 1960

WPRO-TV (Providence, RI)

WPRO (Providence, RI), 1962

WTHI-TV (Terra Haute, IN)

WTHI (Terra Haute, IN), 1963

KCEN-TV (Temple/Waco, TX)

KCEN (Temple/Waco, TX), 1964

KCRG-TV (Cedar Rapids, IA)

KCRG (Cedar Rapids, IA), 1966

WECT-TV (Wilmington, NC), 1967

WECT (Wilmington, NC), 1967

WFMY-TV (Greensboro, NC), 1967

WFMY (Greensboro, NC), 1967

WITN-TV (Eastern Carolina), 1967

WITN (Eastern Carolina), 1967

KCAU-TV (Sioux City, IA)

KCAU (Sioux City, IA), 1969

KELOland (Sioux Falls, SD), 1969

KELO (Sioux Falls, SD), 1969

WCHS-TV (Charleston/Huntington, WV)

WCHS (Charleston/Huntington, WV), 1969

WDEF-TV (Chattanooga, TN), 1969

WDEF (Chattanooga, TN), 1969

Continental Football League (1965-1969)

Sports Graveyard: Indianapolis Capitols

Indianapolis Capitols pinI ran across this interesting pin while looking for old sports memorabilia, and was immediately intrigued. The only football team I ever thought called Indianapolis home is the Colts.

So who were the Indianapolis Caps?

Turns out the Caps — actually the Indianapolis Capitols — were a member of the short-lived Continental Football League. The CFL began play in 1965, five seasons after the American Football League, and folded after the 1969 season. The Caps joined the league in 1966 as the Montreal Beavers before moving to Indiana two years later.

In their first year in Indianapolis, the Caps won the Central Division with an 8-4 record. They repeated that record in the league’s final season, but managed to also win the last-ever CFL championship by beating the San Antonio Toros.

Perhaps the biggest splash the franchise ever made took place off the field, when it offered star USC running back O.J. Simpson a $400,000 contract in 1969 to play for them. Simpson, of course, opted to sign with the Buffalo Bills of the AFL instead.

The Caps, along with the CFL’s Jersey Jays, Norfolk (VA) Neptunes, and Orlando Panthers, defected to join the minor league Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL) for the 1970 season. The CFL folded without playing another game, while the Caps ceased football operations after the 1970 ACFL season.

Syfy channel Alien Tornado GetGlue sticker

Notre Dame Fans Need Help Getting Drunk

Syfy channel Alien Tornado GetGlue stickerJust when I think I’ve seen all the weirdest search terms people have entered in finding this site, there are always more every day. Here are some of my favorite recent ones, along with the posts those search phrases found.

  • “Where can I buy Cella wine in South Bend Indiana?” — I wouldn’t have the first clue, but you can check out this vintage Cella Winery commercial from 1982 in the meantime.
  • “josh radnor douche” — Maybe he is, not that I’ve met the man. Remember kids, when you watch a TV show you’re usually watching a character, not a real person.
  • “Alien tornádó” — I have no idea how that term brought someone to my post of old car ads. Apparently there is a Syfy Channel movie called Alien Tornado that looks predictably horrible.
  • “phife dawg net worth” — While I’m much more educated concerning A Tribe Called Quest than I used to be, I haven’t the first idea how much Phife Dawg (aka Malik Taylore)  is worth. Nor why anyone else would care.
  • “is one of the original kiss members dead” — That would be a “no,” unless you count Gene Simmons’s integrity. But as of today Gene, Ace, Paul, and Peter are still here.
Stanley Steam Automobile, 1906 Model

Vintage Photo Wednesday, Vol. 7 — Early 20th Century Cars

"1908 Winners" - Haynes Automobile Company

“1908 Winners” – Haynes Automobile Company

From Wikipedia:

The Haynes Automobile Company was a United States automobile manufacturing company, which produced automobiles in Kokomo, Indiana, from 1905 to 1924. The company was related to the Haynes-Apperson company, which produced automobiles from 1896-1905. Co-founder Elwood Haynes changed the name of the company after fellow co-founders Elmer and Edgar Apperson left to form the Apperson Automobile Company.

The Farmer's Automobile Collection - "Toilers of Land and Sea"

The Farmer’s Automobile Collection – “Toilers of Land and Sea” (date unknown)

"Pikes Peak Auto Highway" vintage automobile photograph

“Pikes Peak Auto Highway” (date unknown)

Stanley Steam Automobile, 1906 Model

Stanley Steam Automobile, 1906 Model

From Wikipedia:

The Stanley Motor Carriage Company was an American manufacturer of steam-engine vehicles; it operated from 1902 to 1924. The cars made by the company were colloquially called Stanley Steamers, although several different models were produced.

The Pageant of America Collection - "Automobile Moving Van"

The Pageant of America Collection – “Automobile Moving Van” (date unknown)

1931 Buick model 8-96

1931 Buick model 8-96

The 8-96 is also known as the Buick Victoria.

Vintage Car Photographs: Chalmers

“Chalmers Six and Crew Starting a 24-Hour Run Through Chicago Traffic” (date unknown)

From Wikipedia:

Chalmers Motor Car Company was a United States based automobile company located in Detroit, Michigan. It was named after Hugh Chalmers of the National Cash Register Company. The brand is currently owned by Chrysler.

Chalmers flourished in the 1910s and then faltered in the 1920s post-World War I recession. It merged with the Maxwell Automobile Company in the early 1920s, and ended all production in late 1923.

(Photos courtesy the New York Public Library Digital Gallery)

The 10 Deadliest Tornadoes in World History

In spite of all our technological advancements and so-called human ingenuity, we are ever at Mother Nature’s mercy. 2011’s deadly tornado in Joplin, Missouri — just one of many to strike the American Midwest that weekend — is a stark reminder of that fact. In total, more than 1,000 tornadoes touched down in the U.S. in April 2011 — the most active month on record.

But while the U.S. is home to the most tornadoes on a yearly basis, advances in research and early detection have helped reduce the number of fatalities from twisters. As a result, the list of the 20 deadliest tornadoes (or tornado outbreaks) ever contains just five from the United States. Here are the full top ten. Some of these totals are estimates of course, owing to time or lack of properly published information.

#1: Daulatpur-Saturia, Bangladesh (April 26, 1989)

Wreckage from the Daulatpur-Saturia, Bangladesh Tornado

Wreckage from the Daulatpur-Saturia, Bangladesh Tornado

An estimated 1,300 people died from this tornado, which was a mile wide and cut a swath of destruction 50 miles long. The injuries were estimated to be around 12,000. Due to poor housing and construction standards, the tornado completely destroyed virtually every structure it touched. The death toll from this twister is nearly twice as high as the second-deadliest on this list.

#2: Madarganj to Mrizapur, Bangladesh (May 15, 1996)

Around 700 people perished and 30,000 homes were destroyed. Many of the victims were blown long distances — up to 0.9 miles — and found hanging in trees. In addition, softball-sized hail pounded the area.

#3: The Tri-State Tornado (March 18, 1925)

The Tri-State Tornado

The Tri-State Tornado

This is the most infamous tornado to hit the United States in the last century. The continuous 219-mile track it left was the longest ever recorded in the world.

Over three-and-a-half hours, the tornado traveled from southeastern Missouri, through Southern Illinois, then into southwestern Indiana. When it was over, 695 people were dead.

The twister was part of a larger outbreak that day that killed nearly 750 throughout Kansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana.

#4: Manikganj, Singair and Nawabganj, Bangladesh (April 17, 1973)

Two cyclones joined to form one deadly tornado. Multiple villages were completely flattened, and 681 lost their lives (the unofficial death toll topped 1,000).

#5: Northeast suburbs of Dhaka, Bangladesh (April 14, 1969)

Two (or possible three) tornadoes struck and killed 600 people on this day. According to a government official upon his visit to the scene, “I saw what no amount of words could aptly describe. Damage was colossal. Tragedy was harrowing.”

#6: The Valletta Tornado (September 23, 1551 or 1556)

The deadliest cyclone of this age touched down as a waterspout in the Grand Harbour of Malta. Before making landfall it destroyed an entire armada of ships that was docked and waiting to sail into battle. At least 600 died.

Artist’s impression of the Sicily tornadoes (Chris Chatfield)

#7 (tie): Magura and Narail Districts, Bangladesh (April 11, 1964)

The Magura/Narail twister destroyed more than 30 villages and left 500 dead. All 400 villagers from Bhabanipur were never seen again and presumed dead. While the official death count was 280, hundreds went missing.

#7 (tie): Sicily, Italy (December 1851)

In December 1851, two waterspouts moved onshore at the western end of Sicily, becoming large, violent tornadoes. This was as a pair of tornadoes, but details are very scarce; it may have been a single multiple-vortex tornado. It remains the second deadliest tornado event in recorded European history.

#7 (tie): Madaripur and Shibchar, Bangladesh (April 1, 1977)

The cyclone that struck Madaripur and Shibchar also killed around 500 people, 43 of whom were found floating in the river. No buildings or trees were left standing.

#10: Belyanitsky, Ivanovo and Balino, Russia (June 9, 1984)

Details are not easy to come by, as this outbreak took place during the time of the Soviet Union. Research indicates that a group of tornadoes (a few of which may have been of F5 strength on the Fujita scale) hit western Russia. An estimated 400 died, but the total may be as high as 700. The area affected by the tornadoes covered an area of 400,000 square kilometers.

The Ivanovo tornado was one of the worst in Russian history. It killed 95 people over the course of its 81-mile journey. Several concrete reinforced structures were completely destroyed, about 1180 homes were also leveled by the half-mile wide twister.

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New Adventures in Hi-Fi: My Journey Into R.E.M., Part 3

It seems like a totally foreign concept now, but there was a time when bands managed to tour and release albums on a regular basis. An album per year was standard for most acts, and some overachievers managed two per year. Now fans are lucky to get a new record every three years or so. I don’t know how this started or why, but it sucks. I’d rather get a new release every year, with eight or nine songs, than these 14 or 15-song monstrosities that come out whenever a band gets around to it.

Anyway, we’re knee-deep in my journey through R.E.M.’s discography in case you hadn’t noticed. They kept up an old-school release schedule throughout the 1980s, with a new studio recording every year from 1982 through 1988. Pretty damn impressive if you ask me. We’re up to LP number three right now, Fables of the Reconstruction.

While the music on Fables is uniformly strong, I was not surprised to read that the recording sessions were rife with tension. It informs the album, and even the more uptempo songs like “Driver 8” are at least partially shrouded in darkness.

But there’s something else at work here than just everyday studio angst. This is the sound of a band starting to explore the boundaries of their songwriting and arranging.  Album opener “Feeling Gravitys Pull” adds an element of menace heretofore unknown with the band. Peter Buck’s ringing, minor key guitar parts sound nothing like on previous releases, and only during the brief choruses do the clouds part on this rather gloomy number.

Two other things stick out to me about this album. The first is that this is by all accounts a folk rock album, but what makes it an excellent one is that it’s infused by R.E.M.’s garage rock roots. That’s a good thing, as most folk rock sucks and is boring. A song like “Driver 8” works precisely because it’s a folk song arranged like an uptempo rock song. This added folk dimension adds a new richness to the band’s sound, and for that at least some credit must go to producer Joe Boyd, who made his name working with folk legends like Fairport Convention and Nick Drake.

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