Thursday, March 19, 2009

The Revolving Hat

I'm working on a post about a Victorian-era magician who had some very modern tricks up his sleeve - but here's a little something to look at while I'm getting that together. Something that looks like a magic trick gone wrong, actually.

From the splendid Science and Society Picture Library* - may I present to you the amazing Revolving Hat! Living Made Easy, indeed. Easy access to your spectacles, your hearing trumpet, scent box and other bits and bobs. Makes the handbag and briefcase obsolete! The artist, Thomas McLean, was known for making fun of the fashions of the 1830s, which is when he drew this wonderful card of these dandified dudes in their curls and fancy jackets.

* A site full of wonderful things; I am going to try not to spend too much time looking around there today!

Tune in tomorrow when we are off to see the magic show at the Salle Diabolique!

12 comments:

Sandi said...

haha that's interesting.

Lidian said...

Sandi - It's a fun museum they have got over there! :)

Pam Walter said...

This is LOL funny! It conjures up a spinning hat with the owner losing track of what's in play and using the cigarette instead of the hearing trumpet by mistake. What a treasure. www.satisfiedsole.com

Jayne said...

LOL
Nice to see they had a healthy sense of humour and were able to have a giggle at themselves :)

Kris said...

Well my kids sure had a hoot with this. They want to get their father one of these revolving hats.

HumorSmith said...

No wonder I can never get volunteers for my tricks. I've been doing the turn the head around 360 trick.

Lidian said...

Pam - Finding this was quite good fun!

Jayne - Oh some of them were really funny. Thackeray for example had a terrific sense of humor (I absolutely do love his Punch cartoons).

Kris - Wouldn't it make a great present? You could customize them, probably.

HumorSmith - All you needed was this cool hat, that's all!

ettarose said...

Very funny! I wonder if anyone actually used this? Now you would be laughed out of town or committed.

Jon said...

I'm wondering if I should get one of those to replace my man-bag. Hmmm, maybe not, I might get some funny looks in our village.

Lidian said...

ettarose - Or possibly strolling down a catwalk.

Jon - It's edgier than a fanny pack, though!

footnoteMaven said...

Now if only one of them had been a woman with a bonnet where she could access her glasses!

I'd be in heaven.

-fM

Lidian said...

That would have been perfect, fM - and I promise to look out for one for you! :)