The 1950s were filled with nuclear ideas for many historical reasons. Parents spent their days worrying about a potential war while their children studied technology. One of the most bizarre and unique kids’ toys at the time was Gilbert’s nuclear physics “Atomic Energy Lab,” which contained three live uranium pieces and a Geiger counter.
The toy allows kids to study nuclear energy in a safe and controlled matter, or at least that’s what the toymaker claimed. Everything about it screams “The American ‘50s”, from the cartoon art on the box to the regular disregard for safety standards. Unfortunately, we can’t really imagine this kind of toy working in today’s more environmentally conscious climate.
These Lace-Up Boots From the 19th Century
Female fashion has undergone more changes in recent decades than we can keep track of. Back in the late 19th century, various economic changes allowed people to trade clothes all across the Westernized world. These shoes are just one example of the kinds of footwear that were made possible by this economic shift.
Female entertainers laced up every night and wore these stylish leather boots during their performances. They feature many stars and a heel that would make even runway models cringe. The boots were preserved in an almost perfect state and show the weird kinds of fashion that were acceptable back in the day.
A Modified 1946 Tucker Torpedo Prototype II
The 1946 Tucker Torpedo Prototype II is often regarded as "one of the great what-if stories of automotive history." It was built by Preston Tucker, an automobile entrepreneur, and was first known as the "Tucker Torpedo." Like many entrepreneurs, Tucker was overly optimistic and believed he'd be able to sell it for just $1,000. The final price was closer to $4,000.
A 1988 film was made about his adventure relating to this car's production called "Tucker: The Man and His Dream". Unfortunately, Tucker was only able to create around 50 units of this car before his company had to close its doors in early 1949. Many regard it as one of the most advanced cars of the time, with the third directional headlight being the best addition to the car.
This Costume Worn by Vivien Leigh's 1939 "Gone with the Wind"
'"Gone with the Wind" was released in 1939, based on a novel of the same name by Margaret Mitchell. This romantic, epic historical film was extremely popular when it was released and quickly became the highest-grossing film in the world for over two decades. 'Gone with the Wind' is also considered one of the best films of all time.
Part of what made the film stand out was its incredible costumes and outfits, which were made by Walter Plunkett. This man was responsible for more than 150 different Hollywood projects and designed some of the most iconic film outfits at the time. The costume in this entry was worn by Vivien Leigh for her role in the film.
These Horses and Their Carriage, Which Belonged to the Thracians
Archaeologists have found these 2,500-year-old remains of two horses and their chariot, along with perfectly preserved wheels, a seat, and a boot. These are believed to have belonged to the Thracian nobility. This discovery was made in a Thracian tomb along with other expensive artifacts of the time. The tombs were located in northeast Bulgaria in the village of Sveshtari.
These are the single most well-preserved remains of horses and a chariot, and it's unlikely that a better one will ever be discovered. The Thracians were a group of Indo-European tribes that spread across Eastern Europe. It's believed that the first Greek Thracian colonies were founded in 800 BC.