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Tag: Popular Mechanics

Jul252013 by Chris HolmesNo Comments
An Exploded View Drawing of Madison Square Garden, 1967

An Exploded View Drawing of Madison Square Garden, 1967

History
According to this Deadspin article, New York City has basically given the owners of Madison Square Garden ten years to find a new place to play. The arena, which is the fourth to bear that name, opened on February 11, 1968 on the site formerly occupied by the above-ground portion of Penn Station. Apparently New York wants to undo that architectural crime, and so here we are. Not to get all nostalgic or anything, but I thought it worth taking a quick look back at MSG IV's early days. Here's a neat exploded view drawing of the Garden from the November 1967 issue of Popular Mechanics. It shows the main areas of the building by function.
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Jun172013 by Chris HolmesNo Comments
Here’s a Terrifying Popular Mechanics Magazine Cover from World War I

Here’s a Terrifying Popular Mechanics Magazine Cover from World War I

Ephemera, History
I find images and illustrations from World War I to be more frightening on average than almost anything -- the Holocaust excepted -- from World War II. There's something morbidly fascinating about the weaponry used in that conflict. It certainly was new and cutting edge for its time, but looks curiously antique now. It gives drawings like this one from the July 1915 issue of Popular Mechanics all the more sinister. It showcases a German soldier wearing an oil tank with a mask and goggles, which can all be used for just one thing: shooting liquefied fire at his enemies. And just to complete the look, he's got a service pistol at the ready. This sort of military ensemble would probably be called steampunk now, if it weren't so cruel in its very design. I suppose I shouldn't be s...
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Apr92013 by Chris HolmesNo Comments
Great Moments in Comic Book Advertising, Vol. 2: Captain Marvel for Mechanix Illustrated

Great Moments in Comic Book Advertising, Vol. 2: Captain Marvel for Mechanix Illustrated

Advertising
I have to say, as vintage examples of cynical marketing aimed at kids goes, this one is a doozy. It's an advertisement for Mechanix Illustrated from America's Greatest Comics #2 (Fawcett Publications, Feb/May 1942), and features none other than Captain Marvel himself. That's right young fellas, don't even think about reading Mechanix Illustrated if you're a crummy sissy! OK, so let me provide a little bit of historical context here. Mechanix Illustrated, in case you couldn't tell, was positioned as a competitor to established magazines like Popular Science and Popular Mechanics. It was published by Fawcett, which of course owned Captain Marvel. And lest you think being thought of as a sissy by Captain Marvel wasn't a big deal in 1942, keep in mind that throughout the '40s Captain...
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Jul272011 by Chris HolmesNo Comments
Be tech-savvy: A handy glossary of CB lingo

Be tech-savvy: A handy glossary of CB lingo

Ephemera
CB radios may not be as popular as they were in the 1970s, but you better believe they'll be handy once the inevitable apocalypse comes and renders cell phones and GPS units inoperable. So as a public service, here's a handy dandy glossary of CB (Citizens' Band) radio lingo, straight out of the July 1976 issue of Popular Mechanics. That's a big 10-4, good buddy! Related articles The Ten-Codes (post140.wordpress.com) What does CB stand for in CB radio communications between truckers (wiki.answers.com)
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