You’ve seen her. You’ve heard her voice. She’s famous, yet you don’t know who Mae Questel was. [More below the break.]
Category: Contributions to the World
1918: The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month
Norton
Joshua Abraham Norton (c. 1819– January 8, 1880), the self-proclaimed His Imperial Majesty Emperor Norton I, was a celebrated citizen of San Francisco, California, who in 1859 proclaimed himself “Emperor of these United States” and subsequently “Protector of Mexico.”
Born in London, Norton spent most of his early life in South Africa. He emigrated to San Francisco in 1849 after receiving a bequest of $40,000 from his father’s estate. Norton initially made a living as a businessman, but he lost his fortune investing in Peruvian rice.
After losing a lawsuit in which he tried to void his rice contract, Norton left San Francisco. He returned a few years later, apparently mentally unbalanced, claiming to be the emperor of the United States. Although he had no political power, and his influence extended only so far as he was humored by those around him, he was treated deferentially in San Francisco, and currency issued in his name was honored in the establishments he frequented.
Though he was considered insane, or at least highly eccentric, the citizens of San Francisco celebrated his regal presence and his proclamations, most famously, his “order” that the United States Congress be dissolved by force (which Congress and the U.S. Army ignored) and his numerous decrees calling for a bridge and a tunnel to be built across San Francisco Bay.
Joshua Norton’s Contribution to the World
Joshua Abraham Norton of San Francisco (via England) recobanized that the State of the Union was in disrepair in 1859, and realized that he alone could save the United States of America from certain catastrophe. Subsequently, and for legitimate reasons, he unselfishly declared himself Emperor Norton the First.
From Wikipedia:
In accordance with his self-appointed role of emperor, Norton issued numerous decrees on matters of the state. After assuming absolute control over the country, he saw no further need for a legislature, and on October 12, 1859, he issued a decree that formally “dissolved” the United States Congress. In the decree, Norton observed:
“…fraud and corruption prevent a fair and proper expression of the public voice; that open violation of the laws are constantly occurring, caused by mobs, parties, factions and undue influence of political sects; that the citizen has not that protection of person and property which he is entitled.”
He was humored and tolerated at the time; meanwhile I’ve put in an order for more Joshua Nortons.
“Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we’re being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I’m liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That’s what’s insane about it.” –John Lennon
Harry Truman’s classic observation rings true as well.
[Tip o’ the tarboosh to FinPeng. Lennon’s quote from here.]
Continue reading “Joshua Norton’s Contribution to the World”
Donald Tyler’s Contribution to the World
U.S. Patent No. 7,488,244, filed in April, 2007, by Donald Tyler of Cadiz, KY. Abstract:
“An apparatus for skinning a squirrel that is easily manufactured, portable, quick and in which the apparatus can be mounted to a variety of surfaces. The apparatus comprises a base plate connected to toggle clamp in which the toggle clamp is engaged to press two metal tubes tightly together. The base plate is bent at an angle and secured to a stationary object. The tail of the squirrel is placed in the apparatus in between the two metal tubes and the toggle clamp is engaged to secure the tail. The skin is pulled from the uncut skin of the tail thereby removing the skin from the body in two pieces of skin.”
In other words, it’s a toggle clamp. Very cool.
On the other hand, `Mr. Squirrel® looks like a lot more fun. It comes with TWO attached key rings and a handy braided thong so that The Squirrel Hunter in your family can wear it around his/her neck when not in use. What a deal!
[`Mr. Squirrel® found here. Patent image found here. Patent Abstract here.]
John Rowley’s Contribution to the World
How to Build a Zebra
Step 1. Build a zebra frame.
Step 2. Paint to resemble a zebra.
How to Build a Rhinoceros
Step 1. Build a rhinoceros frame.
Step 2. Paint to resemble a rhinoceros.
How to Build a Wildebeest
Step 1. Take a wild guess.
“The Art of Taxidermy,” 1898, by John Rowley can be found in its entirety here. The text is fascinating. I just might download it so I can repair my jackalope head.
[Another excellent find by Hanuman. Jackalope photo from here. Also, check out our Archive of Contributions to the World.]
Hermann Reiche’s Contribution to the World
Grover C. Shaible’s Contribution to the World
I hope that I shall never see
A raygun as in Figure 3;
For if I do I must decide,
To laugh at him, or run and hide.
I wouldn’t want this to be aimed in my direction. I don’t want my atoms dispersed and rearranged as little stinky catfood pellets, but Mr. Shaible scoffed at all the naysayers and went ahead to patent this evil Weapon of Mass Destruction in 1953.
More fascinating patents are archived in the Patent Room.
Tacky Raccoons 