tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78025440202960211762024-03-13T18:13:07.554-05:00Atomic Living : living the 1950's future, todaymy so-called retro life<br>
living yesterday's future - today<br>
in a repowered 1958 ranchSpace Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.comBlogger307125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-24659276244086272232012-01-13T16:32:00.003-06:002012-01-13T16:57:50.308-06:00MID-CENTURIA : Evelyn Ackerman Mosaics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J1cdVqbyLq4/TWVyHHOE4jI/AAAAAAAABWI/Efit9OgFPRs/s640/ackerman_mermaid_mosaic_urbanpicker_blog2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 401px; height: 87px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J1cdVqbyLq4/TWVyHHOE4jI/AAAAAAAABWI/Efit9OgFPRs/s640/ackerman_mermaid_mosaic_urbanpicker_blog2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Li_FSeq6ARE/TOxG9gsOo-I/AAAAAAAAAHw/DDTeh1J_9vk/s1600/Evelyn50%2527smosaic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 168px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Li_FSeq6ARE/TOxG9gsOo-I/AAAAAAAAAHw/DDTeh1J_9vk/s1600/Evelyn50%2527smosaic.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div class="UIImageBlock_Content UIImageBlock_MED_Content fsm fwn fcg"><div class="uiAttachmentTitle" ft="{"type":11}"><strong><a onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," href="http://www.midcenturia.com/2010/11/evelyn-ackerman-mosaic-panels.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">MID-CENTURIA : </a><br /><a onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," href="http://www.midcenturia.com/2010/11/evelyn-ackerman-mosaic-panels.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Art, Design and Decor from the Mid-Century and beyond: </a><a onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," href="http://www.midcenturia.com/2010/11/evelyn-ackerman-mosaic-panels.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Evelyn Ackerman Mosaics</a></strong> </div><span class="caption"><a onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," href="http://www.midcenturia.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow nofollow">www.midcenturia.com</a><br /></span><br />Iconic mosaic works of the period. Design duo Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman were prolific artisans who virtually defined Mid-Century Modern home decor. Taking inspiration from Charles and Ray Eames, the husband and wife team decided to go into business themselves. Without a doubt, Evelyn's mosaics are her best known pieces.<br /><br />My walls suddenly seem so neglected.<span class="caption"><br /></span></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-65288935606984570732012-01-08T22:08:00.004-06:002012-01-08T22:16:34.044-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lojhwNnjaJc/TwpoYhYfBhI/AAAAAAAACJA/Y7YDA4nI9mc/s1600/theincrediblespic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 165px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lojhwNnjaJc/TwpoYhYfBhI/AAAAAAAACJA/Y7YDA4nI9mc/s400/theincrediblespic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695479449250629138" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Incredibles</span> snazzy living area. I want it . . . . with the Zanuso chair to boot!Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-35780975647976094912012-01-07T18:00:00.008-06:002012-01-07T22:37:35.515-06:00You and the Atom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ivvw0vN_JXU/TwMizg0hrBI/AAAAAAAACDY/Z1MIw8YJKWw/s1600/Atomic%2BFuture.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ivvw0vN_JXU/TwMizg0hrBI/AAAAAAAACDY/Z1MIw8YJKWw/s320/Atomic%2BFuture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693432622305356818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">It has been over 65 years since the harnessing of the Atom. What have we learned in that time? Have we proven ourselves that we are worthy to hold such power, or have we just been sheer lucky that we didn't unleash a monster run amock? On the flipside, the promised wonders of the Atom haven't exactly come to pass as originally envisioned either.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ti_KGxosOE/TwOZB0-SpoI/AAAAAAAACF0/hYf-cBiIE10/s1600/Fat_man.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ti_KGxosOE/TwOZB0-SpoI/AAAAAAAACF0/hYf-cBiIE10/s320/Fat_man.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693562610605270658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Nagasaki bomb, Fat Man</span></span><b></b></div><div align="left"><span class="Helvetica10" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;" ></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote> “Considering how likely we all are to be blown to pieces by it within the next five years, the atomic bomb has not roused so much discussion as might have been expected.”</blockquote></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">So begins George Orwell’s essay . . .<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >You And The Atomic Bomb</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> (1945)<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;">Two bombs had just been dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki; the world had witnessed their power. Let us continue with an abbreviated version of his essay . . .</span><br /><blockquote>“The newspapers have published numerous diagrams, not very helpful to the average man, of protons and neutrons doing their stuff, and there has been much reiteration of the useless statement that the bomb "ought to be put under international control." But curiously little has been said, at any rate in print, about the question that is of most urgent interest to all of us, namely: "How difficult are these things to manufacture?"<br /><br />Such information as we--that is, the big public--possess on this subject has come to us in a rather indirect way, apropos of President Truman's decision not to hand over certain secrets to the USSR. Some months ago, when the bomb was still only a rumour, there was a widespread belief that splitting the atom was merely a problem for the physicists, and that when they had solved it a new and devastating weapon would be within reach of almost everybody. (At any moment, so the rumour went, some lonely lunatic in a laboratory might blow civilisation to smithereens, as easily as touching off a firework.)<br /><br />Had that been true, the whole trend of history would have been abruptly altered. The distinction between great states and small states would have been wiped out, and the power of the State over the individual would have been greatly weakened. However, it appears from President Truman's remarks, and various comments that have been made on them, that the bomb is fantastically expensive and that its manufacture demands an enormous industrial effort, such as only three or four countries in the world are capable of making. This point is of cardinal importance, because it may mean that the discovery of the atomic bomb, so far from reversing history, will simply intensify the trends which have been apparent for a dozen years past.<br /><br />It is a commonplace that the history of civilisation is largely the history of weapons. In particular, the connection between the discovery of gunpowder and the overthrow of feudalism by the bourgeoisie has been pointed out over and over again. And though I have no doubt exceptions can be brought forward, I think the following rule would be found generally true: that ages in which the dominant weapon is expensive or difficult to make will tend to be ages of despotism, whereas when the dominant weapon is cheap and simple, the common people have a chance. Thus, for example, tanks, battleships and bombing planes are inherently tyrannical weapons, while rifles, muskets, long-bows and hand-grenades are inherently democratic weapons. A complex weapon makes the strong stronger, while a simple weapon--so long as there is no answer to it--gives claws to the weak.<br /><br />From various symptoms one can infer that the Russians do not yet possess the secret of making the atomic bomb; on the other hand, the consensus of opinion seems to be that they will possess it within a few years. So we have before us the prospect of two or three monstrous super-states, each possessed of a weapon by which millions of people can be wiped out in a few seconds, dividing the world between them. It has been rather hastily assumed that this means bigger and bloodier wars, and perhaps an actual end to the machine civilisation. But suppose--and really this the likeliest development--that the surviving great nations make a tacit agreement never to use the atomic bomb against one another? Suppose they only use it, or the threat of it, against people who are unable to retaliate? In that case we are back where we were before, the only difference being that power is concentrated in still fewer hands and that the outlook for subject peoples and oppressed classes is still more hopeless. <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><br />We were once told that the aeroplane had "abolished frontiers"; actually it is only since the aeroplane became a serious weapon that frontiers have become definitely impassable. The radio was once expected to promote international understanding and co-operation; it has turned out to be a means of insulating one nation from another. The atomic bomb may complete the process by robbing the exploited classes and peoples of all power to revolt, and at the same time putting the possessors of the bomb on a basis of military equality. Unable to conquer one another, they are likely to continue ruling the world between them, and it is difficult to see how the balance can be upset except by slow and unpredictable demographic changes.<br /><br />For forty or fifty years past, Mr. H.G. Wells and others have been warning us that man is in danger of destroying himself with his own weapons, leaving the ants or some other gregarious species to take over. Anyone who has seen the ruined cities of Germany will find this notion at least thinkable. Nevertheless, looking at the world as a whole, the drift for many decades has been not towards anarchy but towards the reimposition of slavery. We may be heading not for general breakdown but for an epoch as horribly stable as the slave empires of antiquity. James Burnham's theory has been much discussed, but few people have yet considered its ideological implications--that is, the kind of world-view, the kind of beliefs, and the social structure that would probably prevail in a state which was at once <em>unconquerable</em> and in a permanent state of "cold war" with its neighbors.<br /><br />Had the atomic bomb turned out to be something as cheap and easily manufactured as a bicycle or an alarm clock, it might well have plunged us back into barbarism, but it might, on the other hand, have meant the end of national sovereignty and of the highly-centralised police state. If, as seems to be the case, it is a rare and costly object as difficult to produce as a battleship, it is likelier to put an end to large-scale wars at the cost of prolonging indefinitely a "peace that is no peace." </blockquote><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--cRrv17pgJM/TwkSGLg_qrI/AAAAAAAACHs/LLG4VzopGU0/s1600/DSCN1098.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--cRrv17pgJM/TwkSGLg_qrI/AAAAAAAACHs/LLG4VzopGU0/s400/DSCN1098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695103101166398130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Civil </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">D</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">efense p</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">a</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">per wit</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">h</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"> Dummy Headlines, Photo:1953</span></span></div><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And now . . .</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Man Recalls Day A Nuclear Bomb Fell On His Yard.</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><dl><dt>MARS BLUFF - Once or twice a year, folks call up Walter Gregg to talk about the time in 1958 when the Air Force dropped a nuclear bomb on his yard. (<a href="http://www.rense.com/general45/Manrec.htm">read more...) </a></dt></dl><br /><a href="http://www.rense.com/general45/Manrec.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;" class="Helvetica10" ></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rense.com/general45/Manrec.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span><br /></span></span></a></div><a href="http://www.rense.com/general45/Manrec.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span><br /></span></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rense.com/general45/Manrec.htm"><span><span></span></span></a><span><span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/5732679208/" title="... romantic shelter by x-ray delta one, on Flickr"><img style="width: 390px; height: 504px;" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3244/5732679208_fc22404381.jpg" alt="... romantic shelter" /></a></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:180%;" ></span></b><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rom</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span>a</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">ntic Fallout Shelter, </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span>Photo: courtesy of James Vaughan / </span></span><span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.flicker.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one"><span class="Apple-style-span">x-ray delta one</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Meanwhile, back at the ranch, err, Ground Zero . . .<br /><br /></span><b><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:180%;" ><i></i></span></b><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Duck & Cover<br /></span></div><br />Teachers in selected cities were encouraged to conduct air raid drills where they would suddenly yell, "Drop!" and students were expected to kneel down under their desks with their hands clutched around their heads and necks. Some schools even distributed metal "dog tags," like those worn by World War II soldiers, so that the bodies of students could be identified after an attack. (<a href="http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe50s/life_04.html">read more...</a>)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Watching an A-Bomb </span></span><br /></div><br />There are very few people who have seen an atomic bomb explode – or who would want to. But in 1955, several Nebraskans who were among the 5,800 civilian and military witnesses to an atomic test blast. The civilians were there by choice, while most of the military observers had been ordered there. The experiment was known as Operation Cue. (<a href="http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe50s/life_05.html">read more...</a>)<br /><br /><br /><b><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:180%;" ></span></b><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Planting Fields of ICBMs<br /></span></div><br />In farm fields all across rural America during the late 50s and 60s, the U.S. Air Force was planting a new crop -- Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, or ICBMs, tipped with nuclear warheads. (<a href="http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe50s/life_06.html">read more...</a>)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Fallout Shelter for Cows</span></span><br /></div><br />Human beings weren't the only species selected to survive a nuclear attack in Nebraska. In 1963, Roberts Dairy Company, outside of Omaha, conducted a two-week survival test for 35 cows, one bull and two student cowhands. (<a href="http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe50s/life_07.html">read more...</a>)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Up4XKIoLGLQ/TwM7x5IjPbI/AAAAAAAACEs/t6HjKuQcwh0/s1600/Them%2521.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Up4XKIoLGLQ/TwM7x5IjPbI/AAAAAAAACEs/t6HjKuQcwh0/s320/Them%2521.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693460082262752690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">An</span><span style="font-style: italic;">d</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> so, we have reached the end of our broadcast. Be Smart, be Safe, be Alert my friends . . . </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">. . . and Beware of even the slightest possibility of ginormous mutant ants.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I would like to acknowledge the invaluable resources of<br /><a href="http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe50s/life_03.html"><strong>livinghistoryfarm.org / Living at Ground Zero</strong></a><br />&<br />James Vaughan / <span style="font-size:100%;"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.flicker.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one"><span class="Apple-style-span">x-ray delta one</span></a></span></span></span></span></span> </span><br />visit his blog - <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://atomic-annhilation.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 99, 220);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">atomic-annhilation.blogspot.com/</span></a><br /></span><span><br />You m</span>a<span>y </span>als<span>o w</span>a<span>nt to vi</span>s<span>it </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><a href="http://www.civildefensemuseum.org/history.html"><b>Civil Defense </b></a></b></span><a href="http://www.civildefensemuseum.org/history.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Museum.org</span></a><b><span style=""><a href="http://www.civildefensemuseum.org/history.html"><b></b></a></span></b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL0nYzmiVrU/TwMkss9r8MI/AAAAAAAACDw/00HK9mmboIk/s1600/alert%2Bcd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 187px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL0nYzmiVrU/TwMkss9r8MI/AAAAAAAACDw/00HK9mmboIk/s320/alert%2Bcd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693434704329175234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">This has been another bulletin from <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Atomic Living's Emergency Broadcast System</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> for</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s1600/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 58px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s320/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693449851618623602" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-22346984184517278892012-01-06T21:00:00.003-06:002012-01-06T23:12:08.341-06:00Atomic Sex Symbols<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/4255230837/" title="1952 ... YB - 60 bomber by x-ray delta one, on Flickr"><img style="width: 374px; height: 234px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O4T-kspAf_g/TwfS8RwoaLI/AAAAAAAACHg/J2J8C3-L4xE/s400/4255230837_33181b89d1.jpg" alt="1952 ... YB - 60 bomber" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span>1952 - YB - 60 bomber, </span></span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"> photo: courtesy of James Vaughan/</span><a href="http://www.flicker.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one"><span class="Apple-style-span">x-ray delta one</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></div><br />The<span><span> </span></span>strategic bomber<span><span>! </span></span>The<span><span> </span></span><span><span>YB-60 Bomber w</span></span>as<span><span> </span></span>s<span><span>omet</span></span>h<span><span>in</span></span>g<span><span> o</span></span>f<span><span> </span></span>a<span><span> </span></span>l<span><span>e</span></span>ss<span><span> </span></span>s<span><span>ucce</span></span>ssf<span><span>u</span></span>l<span><span> precur</span></span>s<span><span>or o</span></span>f<span><span> t</span></span>h<span><span>e iconic </span></span>Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, but still - what an outstanding shot!! Both aircraft were long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bombers, forever associated with the Cold War.<br /><span><span><br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/3813609304/" title="1954 - Miss Atomic Test, Las Vegas by x-ray delta one, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2430/3813609304_ea6bfd6e1c.jpg" alt="1954 - Miss Atomic Test, Las Vegas" gt="" height="500" width="362" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > 1954 - Miss Atomic Test, Las Vegas Photo: courtesy of James Vaughan / </span><span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.flicker.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one"><span class="Apple-style-span">x-ray delta one</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Ummm... <span style="font-style: italic;">errr...</span> uh, as you can see, this particular atom bomb test was, umm... hugely successful <span style="font-style: italic;">*cough*</span></div><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span><br /><br /></span></span></div><span><span><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kaYrZ-1wfaA/TwctESfru0I/AAAAAAAACGY/3RsaWN9mCbs/s1600/DSCN1095.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 238px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kaYrZ-1wfaA/TwctESfru0I/AAAAAAAACGY/3RsaWN9mCbs/s320/DSCN1095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694569805540735810" border="0" /></a>The Red Phone at Strategic Air Command, head-quartered near Omaha, Nebraska, alerts nuclear bomber and missile crews in event of war. The individual buttons light as bases respond.<br /><span><span><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ndl4iF7E5PM/TwctENyg0pI/AAAAAAAACGM/cNl8YsA70oo/s1600/DSCN1094.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ndl4iF7E5PM/TwctENyg0pI/AAAAAAAACGM/cNl8YsA70oo/s320/DSCN1094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694569804277535378" border="0" /></a>A 1955 Convair ad proclaiming the Nation's protective military defense:<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"All over America these days the blast of supersonic flight is shattering the old familiar sounds of city and countryside. At U.S. Air Force bases strategically located near key cities our Airmen maintain their round the clock vigil, ready to take off on a moment's notice in jet aircraft like Convair's F-102A all-weather interceptor. Every flight has only one purpose - your personal protection!"</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JaapBSRFmEA/Twe5OOmKLyI/AAAAAAAACHI/ggz8_lSwQBY/s1600/366px-Goldsboro_nuclear_bomb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JaapBSRFmEA/Twe5OOmKLyI/AAAAAAAACHI/ggz8_lSwQBY/s320/366px-Goldsboro_nuclear_bomb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694723907920736034" border="0" /></a>In stark contrast - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">did you know a nuclear bomber went down on U.S. soil?</span> This photo shows the MK 39 nuclear bomb retrieved after the 24 January 1961 Goldsboro B-52 crash. The weapon's parachute deployed, resulting in a soft landing and the weapon being recovered intact.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dJ26EewCfE/TwdCUxJE29I/AAAAAAAACGk/D8ZKTFXDqII/s1600/Northrop%2BYB-49%2BFlying%2BWing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dJ26EewCfE/TwdCUxJE29I/AAAAAAAACGk/D8ZKTFXDqII/s320/Northrop%2BYB-49%2BFlying%2BWing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694593178389502930" border="0" /></a>The YB-49 Flying Wing - at the time it promised to be the symbolic next big step in the future of aviation. It was simply an idea too far ahead of its time to become the ultimate jet-powered strategic bomber of the Atomic Age. It took another age, the Computer Age, to help the flying wing concept to finally obtain it's goal.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yAvZEMN5Z4k/TwepO7Jc-3I/AAAAAAAACGw/Ke5fnzxPyaQ/s1600/DSCN1100.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yAvZEMN5Z4k/TwepO7Jc-3I/AAAAAAAACGw/Ke5fnzxPyaQ/s320/DSCN1100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694706327693884274" border="0" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span><span></span></span></span></span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Men On Guard! The Unicorn Book of 1953</span></span><br /></div></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></div>No self-respecting fighter jet pilot would be caught in front of the camera without the latest advancement in military issue pressure suit - now available with figure flattering two-way stretch!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IKd3-awaiYM/TwepPIHeL3I/AAAAAAAACG8/J77WylPcdDA/s1600/DSCN1102.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IKd3-awaiYM/TwepPIHeL3I/AAAAAAAACG8/J77WylPcdDA/s320/DSCN1102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694706331175235442" border="0" /></a>And that ultimate symbol of the Cold War, the looming Mushroom Cloud, circa 1953.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL0nYzmiVrU/TwMkss9r8MI/AAAAAAAACDw/00HK9mmboIk/s1600/alert%2Bcd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 187px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL0nYzmiVrU/TwMkss9r8MI/AAAAAAAACDw/00HK9mmboIk/s320/alert%2Bcd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693434704329175234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">This has been another bulletin from </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Atomic Living's Emergency Broadcast System</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> for</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s1600/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 58px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s320/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693449851618623602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Please tune in again - </span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Same Atomic time - same Atomic channel!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-style: italic;">(Sorry for the delay in posting - Technical difficulties have NO respect for deadlines!)</span></div></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-23267668698150574052012-01-05T18:00:00.001-06:002012-01-05T18:00:06.218-06:00Fall Out Shelters are "In"<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial;font-size:48;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/5010189255/" title="... backyard entrance to fallout shelter by x-ray delta one, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 493px;" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4112/5010189255_445776b872.jpg" alt="... backyard entrance to fallout shelter" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span">photo: courtesy of James Vaughan/</span></span><a href="http://www.flicker.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span">x-ray delta one</span></span></a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here we are in American Suburbia. The kids are playing outside in the backyard with smiling Mother looking on. She knows that if the imminent threat of atomic annihilation should rear its ugly head, she has peace of mind thanks to good ol' American ingenuity - the family fall out shelter! She's ready to survive any menace.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5_1PJYBuBfU/TwMmKbKpZsI/AAAAAAAACD8/8_MRr9NO1S4/s1600/002-WNNimage-Nuclear-Bomb-Shelter-Pool-1950s-Image-James-Vaughan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5_1PJYBuBfU/TwMmKbKpZsI/AAAAAAAACD8/8_MRr9NO1S4/s320/002-WNNimage-Nuclear-Bomb-Shelter-Pool-1950s-Image-James-Vaughan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693436314459399874" border="0" /></a>No, no, no... that is <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> what we mean by surviving the nuclear menace! Let's try this again...<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_uNNSEQzLVo/TwOYoIeA33I/AAAAAAAACFo/iltJsI21Zx0/s1600/Fallout_shelter_photo.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 255px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_uNNSEQzLVo/TwOYoIeA33I/AAAAAAAACFo/iltJsI21Zx0/s320/Fallout_shelter_photo.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693562169161998194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">photo: U.S. Governement photography</span></span><br /></div><br />Here we go! Now this is what your ideal fallout shelter would have looked like as envisioned in the early 1950's. It may not have quite the same appeal, but ummm... that's Life. In here, protected from the airborn effects of an atomic blast you would live with your family. Once you had your shelter structure completed and stocked, you could rest with some peace of mind. The family "foxhole" was much more convenient, practical and reliable than trying to reach a public shelter in times of emergency.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e396WnTRCbg/TwOpo-5EkaI/AAAAAAAACGA/NE_1tOOZaDc/s1600/LIFE%2Bjan%2B62%2B-%2Bfallout%2Bshelter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e396WnTRCbg/TwOpo-5EkaI/AAAAAAAACGA/NE_1tOOZaDc/s320/LIFE%2Bjan%2B62%2B-%2Bfallout%2Bshelter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693580875468673442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">An example of a public fallout shelter as depicted on the January 1962 cover of LIFE magazine.</span></span><br /></div><br />The public shelter. Crowded, no privacy, and probably has only one working bathroom on a good day. And wouldn't you know it? That nosey neighbor lady from down the corner is here to indulge you with her non-stop company for the next several weeks, prattling on about begonias and her gall-stone operation.<br /><br /><span>The Mrs:</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> "Henry! I told you we should have built our own family shelter instead of wasting your time down at the pool hall, you lazy lummox!"<br /></span><span>Hubby: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">"Yes Dear."</span><div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><div><div><span><span><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/5732134927/" title="1962 ... high-rise shelter by x-ray delta one, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3479/5732134927_aa4969a5ff.jpg" alt="1962 ... high-rise shelter" height="500" width="389" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">A swanky high-rise shelter; photo: courtesy of James Vaughan/</span><a href="http://www.flicker.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one"><span class="Apple-style-span">x-ray delta one</span></a> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1f_E4-rLIUw/TwMmKmG5XpI/AAAAAAAACEE/sJ8s0g4xQQc/s1600/fallout%2Bshelter%2Bhb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1f_E4-rLIUw/TwMmKmG5XpI/AAAAAAAACEE/sJ8s0g4xQQc/s320/fallout%2Bshelter%2Bhb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693436317396459154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A very stylin' backyard shelter as portrayed by the publishers of Fawcett Books.</span></span><br /></div><br />The family fallout shelter would usually have been built by the home owner as sort of a do it yourself project, and the whole concept of "do-it-yourself" was quite the popular thing to do in those days.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0900/stories/0901_0132.html">The Family Fallout Shelter @ nebraskastudies.org</a> states that according to civil defense authorities, a concrete block basement shelter could be built as a do-it-yourself project for $150 to $200. Exactly how much protection they actually afforded was an open question — one that, thankfully, no one has had to test.... yet.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/5010794842/" title="... prefab fallout shelter! by x-ray delta one, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4125/5010794842_be5b65f4ed.jpg" alt="... prefab fallout shelter!" height="500" width="331" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Pre-fab shelter; </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span">Photo: courtesy of James Vaughan / </span></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 99, 220);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span">x-ray delta one</span></span></a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In fact, if you had the money or were simply a lazy lummox like poor Henry, you could even order a pre-fabricated fall out shelter. Just dig the trench and in she goes! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/5010189457/"><img style="width: 391px; height: 269px;" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-6768" title="5010189457_0a6ed12597_o" src="http://astroguyz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/5010189457_0a6ed12597_o-1024x691.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Pre-fab shelter; photo: courtesy of James Vaughan / <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 99, 220);">x-ray delta one </a><br /></span></span></p> <p></p>It was recommended that people stay in the shelter full time for at least 14 days after a nuclear blast. Families with children were advised to stock their shelter with recreational materials to break the monotony. Monopoly games were popular. Other suggested items included playing cards and diaries to keep a record of one's stay.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/4109623978/" title=""all the comforts of home" by x-ray delta one, on Flickr"><img style="width: 389px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2636/4109623978_93288680bc.jpg" alt=""all the comforts of home"" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span">Photo: courtesy of James Vaughan / </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 99, 220);"><span class="Apple-style-span">x-ray delta one</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Be equipped, be organized and be prepared. Life in the fall out shelter was basically approached like you would a long family camp out, only you were isolated underground and you wouldn't be roasting marshmallows.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/6194199974/" title="1963 ... survival plan! by x-ray delta one, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6140/6194199974_459afeae8c.jpg" alt="1963 ... survival plan!" height="500" width="281" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span">Photo: courtesy of James Vaughan / </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 99, 220);"><span class="Apple-style-span">x-ray delta one </span></a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What would you do? Do you have a plan? What would <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">you</span> do if you were committing to protect you and your family with dead-certainty that atomic warfare was eminent? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/4053731510/" title="1961- fallout shelter #2 by x-ray delta one, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2599/4053731510_93710598c6.jpg" alt="1961- fallout shelter #2" height="500" width="363" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span">Photo: courtesy of James Vaughan / </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 99, 220);"><span class="Apple-style-span">x-ray delta one</span></a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br />And hopefully, when the all's-clear is given, and it's time to open that hatchway</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.. there will be a mid-century modern world to return to.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL0nYzmiVrU/TwMkss9r8MI/AAAAAAAACDw/00HK9mmboIk/s1600/alert%2Bcd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 187px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL0nYzmiVrU/TwMkss9r8MI/AAAAAAAACDw/00HK9mmboIk/s320/alert%2Bcd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693434704329175234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">This has been another bulletin from <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Atomic Living's Emergency Broadcast System</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> for</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s1600/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 58px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s320/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693449851618623602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Please tune in again - </span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Same Atomic time - same Atomic channel!</span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-56803425468483709022012-01-04T09:41:00.012-06:002012-01-05T10:31:44.013-06:00The Uranium Rush is On!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captainspaulding/4753991050/" title="uranium prospector atlas tires 1953 by Captain Geoffrey Spaulding, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4082/4753991050_fef5954ed8.jpg" alt="uranium prospector atlas tires 1953" /></a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;"> Photo: courtesy of James Vaughan / <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 99, 220);"> x-ray delta one </a></span><br /></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRcSWfkzSQ4/TwMi0BaHxGI/AAAAAAAACDk/As4bXwH1Oic/s1600/prospectorkit.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></div><span><span>Let's do a little prospecting! After decades of being considered as a waste product of vanadium mining, worthy of nothing more than a tossing in the scrap piles, Uranium ore suddenly came into demand as a key element for nuclear weaponry. </span></span><div><span><span></span></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gair_dunlop/1301312259/" title="uranium-frontier.jpg by gair_dunlop, on Flickr"><img style="width: 332px; height: 458px;" src="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1101/1301312259_3cef56ebcd.jpg" alt="" /></a></span></span></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gair_dunlop/1301312259/" title="uranium-frontier.jpg by gair_dunlop, on Flickr"><br /><br /></a><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gair_dunlop/1301312259/" title="uranium-frontier.jpg by gair_dunlop, on Flickr"></a></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;"> Photo: </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gair_dunlop">gair_dunlop</a></span></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><div><br /><br /><span><span>In 1949, the rush was o<span><span>n. The U.S. Government launched the first federally-sponsored mineral rush in history. The Colorado Plateau, more specifically the Four Corners area (where Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico all meet), was swarmed by prospectors in the greatest ore search since the gold fever days of the wild west. </span></span></span></span><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRcSWfkzSQ4/TwMi0BaHxGI/AAAAAAAACDk/As4bXwH1Oic/s1600/prospectorkit.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></a></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRcSWfkzSQ4/TwMi0BaHxGI/AAAAAAAACDk/As4bXwH1Oic/s1600/prospectorkit.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-decoration: underline; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 309px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRcSWfkzSQ4/TwMi0BaHxGI/AAAAAAAACDk/As4bXwH1Oic/s320/prospectorkit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693432631052977250" border="0" /></a>All prepackaged and ready to go. Here's a vintage do-it-yourself prospecting kit - not for finding little trinkets of gold but for highly valuable Uranium ore! Ideally, you'd probably want a little more than this novelty kit has to offer. But hands down, a reliable Geiger counter or radiation detector was an absolute must. Anything else you could use was already available for cheap as war surplus.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWQdeDIsHqE/TwOOpg8H3sI/AAAAAAAACFQ/BjyIbv3E2Yo/s1600/uranium%2Brush-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 367px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWQdeDIsHqE/TwOOpg8H3sI/AAAAAAAACFQ/BjyIbv3E2Yo/s320/uranium%2Brush-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693551197794328258" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tZVh-Onityg/TwOOp4i1WFI/AAAAAAAACFg/CFbNdrDt5HA/s1600/uranium%2Brush-2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 367px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tZVh-Onityg/TwOOp4i1WFI/AAAAAAAACFg/CFbNdrDt5HA/s320/uranium%2Brush-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693551204130707538" border="0" /></a>In 1949 the boom was roaring! Any one able-bodied enough and daring enough to head out west with a Geiger counter in hand and dreams of riches in their head was prospecting for atomic age riches. See <a href="http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/03/29/49-uranium-rush/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">blog.Modern.Mechanix.com</span></a> for oodles more articles of the Great Uranium Boom.</div><div><br /></div><div>And what of all this uranium ore? What did it have to do with the threat of of atomic fallout on Mr. Everyman and Mrs. Everywoman? The unquenchable hunger for uranium ore was for the sole purpose of producing nuclear warheads, which were aimed right between the eyes of those who were also aiming their atomic arsenals at us. Without getting into the politics of it all, quite simply and against all the odds, the mad stalemate obviously stood.</div><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SAAUjcKN4Lo/TwMiYlDHyLI/AAAAAAAACDA/2Oy52hjGfmY/s1600/uranium%2Brush%2Bgame-55.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SAAUjcKN4Lo/TwMiYlDHyLI/AAAAAAAACDA/2Oy52hjGfmY/s320/uranium%2Brush%2Bgame-55.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693432159583848626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m3O5Npqa8T8/TwMiD_Ih8rI/AAAAAAAACCo/_lMzsRfCq3s/s1600/uraniumrushad.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 155px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m3O5Npqa8T8/TwMiD_Ih8rI/AAAAAAAACCo/_lMzsRfCq3s/s320/uraniumrushad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693431805808603826" border="0" /></a>So, its been a long day's work of sweating under the desert sun and getting rich from your haul of ore. Who wouldn't want to settle down after the night's dinner, relax by the glow of your cook stove and enjoy a lively round of the "Uranium Rush" board game? Maybe you could give your pack-mule companion a head start just to make things fair.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL0nYzmiVrU/TwMkss9r8MI/AAAAAAAACDw/00HK9mmboIk/s1600/alert%2Bcd.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 187px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL0nYzmiVrU/TwMkss9r8MI/AAAAAAAACDw/00HK9mmboIk/s320/alert%2Bcd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693434704329175234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">This has been another bulletin from <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Atomic Living's Emergency Broadcast System</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> for</span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s1600/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 58px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s320/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693449851618623602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Please tune in again - </span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Same Atomic time - same Atomic channel!</span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div></div></div></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-33594058352208026512012-01-03T19:00:00.005-06:002012-01-05T10:16:33.009-06:00Everything the Junior Atomic Scientist Could Want<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7i6rSM39C0I/TwMcWPa3nvI/AAAAAAAACBs/YP_JjMSWL_I/s1600/lab%2Bset%2Bad.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7i6rSM39C0I/TwMcWPa3nvI/AAAAAAAACBs/YP_JjMSWL_I/s320/lab%2Bset%2Bad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693425522348367602" border="0" /></a>"H<span style="font-style: italic;">ey Mom! Can I have my very own atomic science laboratory and play with alpha particles in my bedroom? I promise to use it on the dog like last time"</span> Maybe, but it looks like no good can come out of atomic power being put in to the lap of <span style="font-style: italic;">this</span> child. But that's just what happened back in the 1950's thanks to the genius's at A. C. Gilbert Company.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OcdHrje0gD4/TwMcWCKtuVI/AAAAAAAACB8/s72aU20lLyM/s1600/gilbert%2Blab%2Bad%2B2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OcdHrje0gD4/TwMcWCKtuVI/AAAAAAAACB8/s72aU20lLyM/s320/gilbert%2Blab%2Bad%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693425518790949202" border="0" /></a>I'm not sure if Mother is completely buying the whole "harmless" line, but I bet Dad can't wait to get it away from Junior's hands!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wcCHFIFtEoQ/TwMcWeM_fHI/AAAAAAAACCU/bH-jGz9SQtU/s1600/gilbertatomiclab.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wcCHFIFtEoQ/TwMcWeM_fHI/AAAAAAAACCU/bH-jGz9SQtU/s320/gilbertatomiclab.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693425526316694642" border="0" /></a>And here it is, the Gilbert Atomic Energy Lab - highly sought after and covetted by Dad and Junior alike. A.C. Gilbert Co. sold this kit from 1950-51, for $49.50 (kind of steep for a toy set!) which included the following highly scientific components:<br /><ul><li>U-239 Geiger-Mueller radiation counter</li><li>Electroscope - to measure radioactivity of different substances</li><li>Spinthariscope - to watch "live" radioactive disintegration</li><li>Wilson Cloud Chamber - to see paths of electrons & alpha particles at 12,000 mps</li><li>Three very low-level radioactive sources - Alpha, Beta, Gamma</li><li>Four samples of Uranium-bearing ores</li><li>Nuclear Spheres - used to build models of molecules</li><li>The book "<span style="font-style: italic;">Prospecting for Uranium</span>"</li><li>The "<span style="font-style: italic;">Gilbert Atomic Energy Manual</span>"</li><li>The comic book "<span style="font-style: italic;">Learn How Dagwood Splits the Atom</span>"</li><li>Three "Winchester" Batteries - size "C"</li></ul>Geesh! What a mouthful. Just repeating the names of some of these components is guaranteed to boost your I.Q. by 10%! My brother didn't have the Atomic Lab kit, but he did have a Gilbert chemistry set that included the 'spinthariscope' for viewing radioactive decay. When this kit finally was passed down to me I remember treating the scope with extreme caution. I was smart enough at an early age to know that radioactivity wasn't a plaything to be taken lightly!<div><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARRsCv7-vbk/TwMcW26CXwI/AAAAAAAACCc/apDmjXwZu24/s1600/gilbertgeiger.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARRsCv7-vbk/TwMcW26CXwI/AAAAAAAACCc/apDmjXwZu24/s320/gilbertgeiger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693425532948078338" border="0" /></a>And if Junior should ever get bored with his alpha particles, he could always go out and do some urnaium prospecting, to build up his atomic pile.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FfmAUm33Q68/TwMcWDrsMmI/AAAAAAAACB0/vWhAEcuj2CM/s1600/dogwoodsatom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FfmAUm33Q68/TwMcWDrsMmI/AAAAAAAACB0/vWhAEcuj2CM/s320/dogwoodsatom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693425519197696610" border="0" /></a>Science so simple that even Dagwood can teach you how to split the atom. I wonder how many U.S. nuclear physicists today got their start by reading this material?<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6_4MurQgBA/TwMiyhOw21I/AAAAAAAACDM/JL3RYUeNtZo/s1600/Childrens_Museum_Indianapolis-atomic_bomb_toy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6_4MurQgBA/TwMiyhOw21I/AAAAAAAACDM/JL3RYUeNtZo/s320/Childrens_Museum_Indianapolis-atomic_bomb_toy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693432605235534674" border="0" /></a>There's that "harmless" word again.... and Mother still isn't buying it. <span style="font-style: italic;">"Absolutely not, Jimmy! I've just gotten these floors scrubbed and the laundry all put away. I will not have you messing-up this home with any radioactive fallout."</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL0nYzmiVrU/TwMkss9r8MI/AAAAAAAACDw/00HK9mmboIk/s1600/alert%2Bcd.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 187px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL0nYzmiVrU/TwMkss9r8MI/AAAAAAAACDw/00HK9mmboIk/s320/alert%2Bcd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693434704329175234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">This has been another bulletin from <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Atomic Living's Emergency Broadcast System</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> for</span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s1600/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 58px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s320/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693449851618623602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Please tune in again - </span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Same Atomic time - same Atomic channel!</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"></span></div></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-91698164933658539662012-01-02T18:00:00.003-06:002012-01-03T11:13:34.397-06:00Atomic Fallout Falling on eBayYes, the nuclear menace and Capitalism have long gone hand-in-hand. Even today! Here they are, the threats of Atomic Annihilation being sold on <span style="font-style: italic;">eBay</span>. Bid high and bid often while the bidding is hot! Or you can be like me and just look :)<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-BOYS-BUILD-BOMB-SHELTER-COLD-WAR-ATOMIC-BOMB-PHOTO-/200582835867"> 1952 BOYS BUILD BOMB SHELTER COLD WAR ATOMIC BOMB PHOTO </a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZJ42TzgvDo/TwI9Bn6ZdhI/AAAAAAAAB_4/N4Udt_ys_jQ/s1600/BombShelter_1952W.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZJ42TzgvDo/TwI9Bn6ZdhI/AAAAAAAAB_4/N4Udt_ys_jQ/s320/BombShelter_1952W.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693179977052812818" border="0" /></a>I wish I could get Junior to show this kind of gumption as these boys are demonstrating. Usually it's a major achievement just to see him crawl out of bed and get dressed in the morning!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/1950s-Cold-War-Fallout-Shelter-Atomic-Bomb-DOD-Sign-NM-/360417069762?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D15%26pmod%3D200582835867%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5314985002845797531">1950s Cold War Fallout Shelter Atomic Bomb-DOD Sign</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GLf5tacnqdU/TwI-VnvtobI/AAAAAAAACAs/rcXch4Q2teM/s1600/fallout%2Bshelter%2Bsign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GLf5tacnqdU/TwI-VnvtobI/AAAAAAAACAs/rcXch4Q2teM/s320/fallout%2Bshelter%2Bsign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693181420117008818" border="0" /></a>This would be a good thing to put on the bathroom door. Of course!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/CDV-700-GEIGER-COUNTER-RADIATION-777-SHELTER-KIT-/230713111173?pt=BI_Security_Fire_Protection&hash=item35b792b285">CDV-700-GEIGER-COUNTER-RADIATION-777-SHELTER-KIT</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94v13nC8zec/TwI9B_eYYVI/AAAAAAAACAU/Ef4A5EL-S6I/s1600/cd%2Bradiation%2Bkit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94v13nC8zec/TwI9B_eYYVI/AAAAAAAACAU/Ef4A5EL-S6I/s320/cd%2Bradiation%2Bkit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693179983377752402" border="0" /></a>It'd almost be a shame to have all this cool electronic gadgetry unless you found the occasion to actually use it!... Almost ;)<br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Civil-Defense-Atomic-Bomb-and-attack-survival-guide-lot-/160706839293?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256adfc2fd" class="vip" title="Original Civil Defense Atomic Bomb and attack survival guide lot ">Original Civil Defense Atomic Bomb and Attack Survival Guide lot</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qNclgWbF8oc/TwI9CKXbnVI/AAAAAAAACAc/gejoUO9Afog/s1600/fallout%2Blot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qNclgWbF8oc/TwI9CKXbnVI/AAAAAAAACAc/gejoUO9Afog/s320/fallout%2Blot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693179986301394258" border="0" /></a>I'd be so interested to see what the plans for my own home town were, though I doubt it was very high on the target list. There are some massive underground shelters dotting the town yet though.<br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Civil-Defense-metal-helmet-w-liner-/220922377682?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item336ffff5d2" class="vip" title="Vintage Civil Defense metal helmet w/liner ">Vintage Civil Defense Metal Helmet</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsluwCvj_fI/TwI9BiHyd4I/AAAAAAAACAM/9Z5jTWcTsfE/s1600/CD%2Bhelmet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsluwCvj_fI/TwI9BiHyd4I/AAAAAAAACAM/9Z5jTWcTsfE/s320/CD%2Bhelmet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693179975498364802" border="0" /></a><br />The helmet would have been used more as an authoritative symbol to identify by more than anything else. Though in times of any kind of natural or man-made emergency, the wearer would have had to be prepared to put their self in harms way.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qkRkkPci--8/TwI9BQ367oI/AAAAAAAAB_w/HT22wv1bPsI/s1600/america%2Bcalling%2Bcd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 139px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qkRkkPci--8/TwI9BQ367oI/AAAAAAAAB_w/HT22wv1bPsI/s320/america%2Bcalling%2Bcd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693179970868407938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">This has been another bulletin from </span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Atomic Living's Emergency Broadcast System</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> for</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s1600/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 58px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s320/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693449851618623602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Please tune in again - </span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Same Atomic time - same Atomic channel!</span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-63264302009010343282012-01-01T22:00:00.005-06:002012-01-03T11:11:26.344-06:00Thirteen Men & One Ann Margret<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Yessssss... A little mood music to sooth the anxious soul during these troubling times that we now live in, brought to you by my very special friend, Miss Ann... </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Ann, if you're out there I'd like you to send yourself in a big envelope to my address!)</span><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zO0P32okgu0/TwDyCxunmbI/AAAAAAAAB_M/kDOt2n-7sI4/s1600/Ann-Margret-sneer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zO0P32okgu0/TwDyCxunmbI/AAAAAAAAB_M/kDOt2n-7sI4/s320/Ann-Margret-sneer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692816058518837682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> (Oh my, look at that kisser! I think I've just smitten myself... Yumm-o!)</span></span><br /></div><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.4shared.com/flash/player.swf?ver=9051" style="" id="ply" name="ply" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="false" wmode="opaque" flashvars="file=http://dc207.4shared.com/img/378325352/8ef72167/dlink__2Fdownload_2FpR-83Cwi_3Ftsid_3D00000000-000000-00000000/preview.mp3&volume=50&" height="20" width="200"></embed><br /><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:78%;" >Powered by <a href="http://mp3skull.com/">mp3skull.com</a></span><script type="text/javascript" src="http://mp3skull.com/embedcl.php"></script><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Thirteen Men" by Ann Margret (1962)</span><br />Last night I was dreamin'<br />I dreamed about the H-bomb<br />Well the bomb went off and I was caught<br />I was the only gal on the ground<br /><br />There were thirteen men and me the only gal in town<br />A-there were thirteen men and me the only gal in town<br /><br />And as funny as it may be, the one and only gal in town was me<br />A-thirteen men and me the only gal in town<br /><br />A-there were two men every morning<br />I seen that I was well fed<br />And believe-a you me one sweetened my tea<br />While the other one-a buttered my bread<br /><br />A-two men giving me oil wells<br />A-two men-a giving me gold<br />And another sweet thing bought me a diamond ring<br />About-a forty karats I am told<br /><br />Thirteen men and me the only gal in town<br />A-there were thirteen men and me the only gal around<br /><br />It was something I can't forget<br />Cause I think-a those were thirteen gentlemen yet<br />Thirteen men and me the only gal around<br /><br />Well there were three guys dancing the mambo<br />A-three guys ballin' the jet<br />And all the rest really did their best<br />But surely was a lively clack<br /><br />Thirteen men and me the only gal in town<br />There were thirteen men and me the only gal around<br /><br />Though she won't tell you where she's been<br />Cause it was just a dream I hope I dream again<br /><br />Thirteen men and me the only gal around<br />A-there were thirteen men and me around<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(© copyright The Very Lovely Miss Ann M.)</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4rsfFQSJKI/TwEhKTneJXI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/aBRstTU4-ZU/s1600/civil-defense.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 130px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4rsfFQSJKI/TwEhKTneJXI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/aBRstTU4-ZU/s200/civil-defense.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692867864921253234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">This has been another bulletin from </span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Atomic Living's Emergency Broadcast System</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> for</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s1600/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 58px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s320/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693449851618623602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Please tune in again - </span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Same Atomic time - same Atomic channel!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(that is unless I find a very large envelope delivered in my mail tomorrow... there might have to be a change in plans)</span></span><br /></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-1351952029794507422012-01-01T18:19:00.008-06:002012-01-03T11:09:52.292-06:00Thrive to Survive<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-Lw02wPATI/TwEsLd4JZEI/AAAAAAAAB_k/CvXJmsOkLyM/s1600/atomicalert-al.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-Lw02wPATI/TwEsLd4JZEI/AAAAAAAAB_k/CvXJmsOkLyM/s320/atomicalert-al.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692879979483325506" border="0" /></a><br />Today the world greets a new year... with an undercurrent of Uncertainty. Fear. Unrest. Monumental shifts in world powers. In America, our own government is seen to be out of control and the People are bearing its oppressive weight. More spending and rules, less and less freedom. Who could have imagined only a few years ago that as of today, January 1st, Edison's world-shaping invention, the ubiquitous electric filament light bulb is now declared officially off limits! Did the Mayans know something we didn't foresee? Are their predictions, that this year of 2012 the entire world would come to a great climatic "lights out," actually coming true???<br /><br />What a different age we live in compared to some 60 years ago. But still, we can relate to the tinge of fear that pervaded a society that was determined to survive and thrive. Here's one public service film from those whirlwinds-of-changing times, and their own predictions for surviving the threat from atomic fall-out in mid century America:<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color:blue;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_Zgyp4HgNU">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_Zgyp4HgNU</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/-_Zgyp4HgNU/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-_Zgyp4HgNU&fs=1&source=uds"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-_Zgyp4HgNU&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="266" width="320"></embed></object></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Hopefully Congress's plans to regulate the Internet has been held off long enough for me to share this link with you tonight. And that you enjoyed checking out some of the modern living homes featured in this short as well!<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And, government-willing, I shall thwart the Mayan predictions </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />by returning with yet another installment ...<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4rsfFQSJKI/TwEhKTneJXI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/aBRstTU4-ZU/s1600/civil-defense.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 130px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4rsfFQSJKI/TwEhKTneJXI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/aBRstTU4-ZU/s200/civil-defense.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692867864921253234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">This has been another bulletin from </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Atomic Living's Emergency Broadcast System</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> for</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s1600/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 58px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s320/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693449851618623602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Please tune in again - </span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Same Atomic time - same Atomic channel!</span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-50471315941428771362011-12-31T21:45:00.009-06:002012-01-03T11:05:56.917-06:00Out with the Old, In with the FUTURE<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMUYUlIJTb8/Tv_kskSohLI/AAAAAAAAB_A/KO4hG81ue_M/s1600/watching.atomic.blast.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMUYUlIJTb8/Tv_kskSohLI/AAAAAAAAB_A/KO4hG81ue_M/s320/watching.atomic.blast.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692519908326802610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Prepared to watch the New Year's fireworks at Yucca Flats</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Happy New Year's Eve my friends, aquaintences, and every body else! </span>Tonight we're watusi-ing at a deadend little grotto I fell upon, <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.gomutants.com/Googie%27s%20Music/googie%27sdiner.html">Googie's</a></span>. I suggest you should find time to drop in as well. We'll spin the vinyl on the TeslaTone Plasmatic Music Box featuring a red hot atomic-age selection, with aptly titled tags like <span style="font-style: italic;">'Radioactive Mama', 'Love Goddess of Venus', 'Fallout Shelter</span>', '<span style="font-style: italic;">Knocked Out Joint on Mars</span>' and <span style="font-style: italic;">'Atomic Bomb Blues'</span>. Swingin!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4rsfFQSJKI/TwEhKTneJXI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/aBRstTU4-ZU/s1600/civil-defense.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 130px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4rsfFQSJKI/TwEhKTneJXI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/aBRstTU4-ZU/s200/civil-defense.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692867864921253234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Stay tuned America!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">This has been a bulletin from <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Atomic Living's Emergency Broadcast System</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> for</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s1600/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 58px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqXPW5095Mk/TwMyeZA6gHI/AAAAAAAACEg/eFIhoPzFqK4/s320/atomic%2Balert%2Bweek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693449851618623602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Please tune in again - </span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Same Atomic time - same Atomic channel!</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-9538612396608480422011-12-27T20:01:00.004-06:002012-01-03T11:29:17.955-06:00Atomic IdealAlways got to love the overhanging living rooms on a drop-off, the wall-to-wall windows, the easy-going slopes roof lines, the winding flagstone leading you to the entrance. You know, nothing fancy, just all the modest necessities for mid-century living!<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/4216312042/" title="... cartoon MCM by x-ray delta one, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2803/4216312042_4174b04ab0.jpg" alt="... cartoon <span class=" error="" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" />MCM"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span">Cartoon MCM from </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/x-ray_delta_one"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">x-ray delta one</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span">, on Flickr</span></span></span></span></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-83743330984808032712011-12-25T23:55:00.003-06:002012-01-03T11:21:48.883-06:00Christmas Goes Ultra ModernFifty years ago, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">You</span> could celebrate a Motorola Christmas.<div><br /></div><div>I think I could have handled that quite well ;)<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/4092769790/" title="1961--Motorola-Christmas by x-ray delta one, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 357px;" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2620/4092769790_b6ab31735b.jpg" alt="1961--Motorola-Christmas" /></a></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">from the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span">flickr</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"> collection of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;font-family:Arial;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/" class="comment-author ywa-track" name="Commenter names" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 99, 220);"><span class="Apple-style-span">x-ray delta one</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1961 - Motorola Christmas<br />Artist- Charles Schridde</span></div></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-35512148970389400452011-12-25T19:31:00.007-06:002011-12-25T20:40:06.131-06:00One Little Ornament<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc7rYZ1t5kY/TvfaOUoYnbI/AAAAAAAAB-o/dA_SR9edwtw/s1600/DSCN1067_phixr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc7rYZ1t5kY/TvfaOUoYnbI/AAAAAAAAB-o/dA_SR9edwtw/s320/DSCN1067_phixr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690256593797029298" border="0" /></a><br />One little ornament.<br /><br />It's not very big. It's not fancy. It's not fashioned of blown glass. Nor is it considered to be of much value... except by me. I remember this ornament. It's been a part of every Christmas holiday. For a very long time. As long and as many as I can remember.<br /><br />The little ornament hung on many real trees and artificial. It hung under the shade of natural green evergreen needles and silver. It was on the tree when carollers came knocking on our front door. And when my Uncle Richard, dressed-up as Santa, scared the daylights out of me so that I hid under the kitchen table and absolutely refused to come back out to claim my gift. In 1968, this little ornament was on the tree as our tiny black and white television transmitted images of astronauts on Christmas Day, orbiting around the moon for the history-making first time.<br /><br />It was on the family's tree the Christmas I opened my best space toy ever - a Major Matt Mason astronaut action figure and his Star Seeker capsule. It witnessed my first Hot Wheels raceway set, and then a super-charged Sizzlers set. It was already getting old when I received a toy Batmobile all shiny new. And a Houdini magic set. A Cookie Monster hand puppet. And then all those Star Wars toys that came later.<br /><br />This ornament saw our family temporarily shrink in size after my sister got married and moved out of town, and then grow again with three nieces and a nephew. And it was hanging there for Junior's very first Christmas too.<br /><br />It hung there, a silent witness through Christmases of both good times and rough. In sickness and in health, 'til death took some away. And since this ornament originally belonged to my Mom, she's in affect still decorating our family Christmas tree.<br /><br />I wasn't even Five years old. I remember looking at this ornament in wonder at it's simple molded plastic detail. It told a story. Joseph and Mary and the new-born Jesus in the manger. And how well I already knew that story. It's the story of what Christmas is all about.<br /><br />Yep. She may have not known it, but my Mom sure got her 10 cents worth out of that one little plastic ornament ;)Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-24220626654634972942011-12-25T16:52:00.005-06:002011-12-25T18:47:08.665-06:00A Christmas Card for You<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U1cNx6fBEL0/Tve5JySvQXI/AAAAAAAAB-A/4OS95JYoWh0/s1600/xmas%2Bcard%2Bfin-atomic%2Bliving.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U1cNx6fBEL0/Tve5JySvQXI/AAAAAAAAB-A/4OS95JYoWh0/s320/xmas%2Bcard%2Bfin-atomic%2Bliving.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690220231976239474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Warm Christmas wishes to You<br />from Junior and your friendly neighborhood Space Commander!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6yyei7l7Vvg/Tve5J8hCySI/AAAAAAAAB94/q8v9QmDdQZo/s1600/tuxpi.com.1324439788z_cropped.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6yyei7l7Vvg/Tve5J8hCySI/AAAAAAAAB94/q8v9QmDdQZo/s320/tuxpi.com.1324439788z_cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690220234720594210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Hoping you take some time to relax and enjoy this special day</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-S9QJymPvE/TvfCjG5wDcI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/CLYlHOIy1dg/s1600/DSCN0965_phixr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-S9QJymPvE/TvfCjG5wDcI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/CLYlHOIy1dg/s320/DSCN0965_phixr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690230562609958338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Listen to the old favorites of the holidays - Put on the classics</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uVmHaCtovNU/TvfCjdeEhPI/AAAAAAAAB-c/eQzvFm5nwEo/s1600/DSCN1049_phixr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uVmHaCtovNU/TvfCjdeEhPI/AAAAAAAAB-c/eQzvFm5nwEo/s320/DSCN1049_phixr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690230568667874546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Its okay to let yourself go... and if you can, do it with family and friends<br />Don't forget, the spirit of Christmas starts within yourself<br /><br />...and<br />Be sure to drink your Ovaltine!<br /><br /></span></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-91643072592575225442011-12-24T12:22:00.005-06:002011-12-24T12:47:40.165-06:00Return of the Christmastime PlaylistHere's my updated retro atomic listening for another holiday season - Enjoy!<br /><br /><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzMjQ3NTIxMzY3NzgmcHQ9MTMyNDc1MjMxNzgwNSZwPTY5NDMwMSZkPSZnPTEmbz1lZGRkNDBjZTVmYWU*MzEwOTZh/ZTFhZGE3NWFjNmIxMiZvZj*w.gif" border="0" height="0" width="0" /><div style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; visibility: visible; margin-right: auto; width: 450px;"> <object height="470" width="450"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.musiclist.us/mc/mp3player_new.swf"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"> <param name="flashvars" value="config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fskins%2Fconfig_black_noautostart_shuffle.xml&mywidth=450&myheight=470&playlist_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.musiclist.us%2Fpl.php%3Fplaylist%3D89305475%26t%3D1324752123&skinurl=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-LnpiutxvOLc%2FTvYbD5WO1uI%2FAAAAAAAAB9I%2FHBIYw-E81G4%2Fs1600%2Fxmas%252Bcard.jpg&wid=os"> <embed style="width: 450px; visibility: visible; height: 470px;" allowscriptaccess="never" src="http://www.musiclist.us/mc/mp3player_new.swf" flashvars="config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fskins%2Fconfig_black_noautostart_shuffle.xml&mywidth=450&myheight=470&playlist_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.musiclist.us%2Fpl.php%3Fplaylist%3D89305475%26t%3D1324752123&skinurl=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-LnpiutxvOLc%2FTvYbD5WO1uI%2FAAAAAAAAB9I%2FHBIYw-E81G4%2Fs1600%2Fxmas%252Bcard.jpg&wid=os" name="mp3player" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" border="0" height="470" width="450"></embed> </object><br /><a href="http://www.musiclist.us/"><img src="http://www.musiclist.us/mc/images/create_black.jpg" alt="Get a playlist!" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.musiclist.us/playlist/22862201611/standalone" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.musiclist.us/mc/images/launch_black.jpg" alt="Standalone player" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.musiclist.us/playlist/22862201611/download"><img src="http://www.musiclist.us/mc/images/get_black.jpg" alt="Get Ringtones" border="0" /></a> </div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-35067999189505389032011-12-18T14:56:00.001-06:002011-12-18T14:56:00.519-06:00Sputnik Tree TopperOhhhh.... really wish I had stumbled upon this one earlier. 'Tis a little too late in the season to be ordering one in time for a Merry Christmas now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tjMEeN5nakc/Tu1W5TA6CJI/AAAAAAAAB88/DH1oIIrlp2M/s1600/atomicagetreetopper.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tjMEeN5nakc/Tu1W5TA6CJI/AAAAAAAAB88/DH1oIIrlp2M/s320/atomicagetreetopper.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687297446795413650" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://marketplaceadvisor.channeladvisor.com/StoreFrontProfiles/DeluxeSFItemDetail.aspx?sfid=178220&c=875675&i=240299510">Gold Sputnik Christmas Tree Topper - BillyBobBossen</a><br />"This is a fabulous piece that comes to us from the old Nordstrom display sale a few years back. The box these and the other colors came out of was labled al-tree topper-098. This is wild, and comes apart in pieces. It measures in at almost eight inches tall! We have four colors, and not many of each, there is aluminum red, aluminum green, aluminum silver, and aluminum gold."Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-79879127083219153682011-12-17T11:36:00.000-06:002012-01-08T13:42:51.168-06:00Family Christmas Nostalgia<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ffZts3mhvEM/TTR-5UZmoWI/AAAAAAAABTc/-mbtDWABW3E/s1600/xmastree.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ffZts3mhvEM/TTR-5UZmoWI/AAAAAAAABTc/-mbtDWABW3E/s400/xmastree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563210962903146850" border="0" /></a>Christmas at B Street, 1950's<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ffZts3mhvEM/TTR-54BHO0I/AAAAAAAABTs/at1WVfav2qI/s1600/home-winter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ffZts3mhvEM/TTR-54BHO0I/AAAAAAAABTs/at1WVfav2qI/s400/home-winter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563210972464102210" border="0" /></a>Christmas-time at the new house, 1958 or '59 - Bro, Mom, Grandma, Sis & Pepper the dog<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ffZts3mhvEM/TTR-5b21jBI/AAAAAAAABTk/hW1MN26e-wQ/s1600/xmas1968.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ffZts3mhvEM/TTR-5b21jBI/AAAAAAAABTk/hW1MN26e-wQ/s400/xmas1968.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563210964904807442" border="0" /></a>Christmas 1969 - Sis & me<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-63903992076049273642011-12-16T15:59:00.016-06:002011-12-17T20:43:23.531-06:00The Atomic Christmas in Our House<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mrmf4Yc3ibg/Tu02PH06RbI/AAAAAAAAB7k/sp9XMs4cT4U/s1600/muterlite.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mrmf4Yc3ibg/Tu02PH06RbI/AAAAAAAAB7k/sp9XMs4cT4U/s320/muterlite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687261537865713074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Junior's home from school sick in bed today, so there's nothing more for me to do than play at a computer in the meantime. Which has one good result -- I can get caught-up on some blogging! Here at the Space Commander residence we're still fixated on creating our Atomic Christmas theme for 2011 and how to bring all that old goodness together with a touch of new. Be warned, today's post might get a bit ranty :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-A6vkKoo7E/Tu02O8tbHzI/AAAAAAAAB7c/lnUTZmD23Rc/s1600/aluminum%2Band%2Bblue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-A6vkKoo7E/Tu02O8tbHzI/AAAAAAAAB7c/lnUTZmD23Rc/s320/aluminum%2Band%2Bblue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687261534881521458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">My color-coordinated tree - aluminum and blue are the swanky colors for this Christmas!<br /><br /></span></div>The last time you saw this aluminum tree, it was freshly set-up out of the box. Even without decor these trees are striking. But now it's sprouted ornaments all over! Instead of throwing my usual varied rainbow of vintagey bulbs on the tree, this season it's all gone color-coordinated... more or less... in shades of blue, cobalt, aqua, teal.... whatever. It's all blue to me!<br /><br />Unfortunately after I had made up my mind to do the coordinated ornaments thing, I was horrified to learn that we barely had a bulb left after sorting out all the non-blues from my accumulated stash. "No problem!" I thought, "I'll run to the store and buy some cheap, plain ornaments to fake out with the real eye-candy!" One by one I'd enter with high hopes and left with broken dreams each store on my shopping list. I had come up empty handed. Nobody, it seemed, wanted to sell me one single, plain lousy bulb that was even remotely blue!<br /><br />Well, to be fair WalMart had an assortment, but these looked just a bit too post-millenial 2011-ish for <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> tree. And Menards had a few medium blue ornaments with some dopey graphics that nobody wanted. So naturally I grabbed 'em up to fill out the back of my tree.<br /><br />But I refuse to compromise any further! Being a somewhat stubborn man who has now become so set in my vision of ideal atomic Christmas tree goodness, I'm now beginning to play around with the idea of using spray paint on some discolored bulbs I had no use for. Hmmmm... that is, if I can only find the right shade of blue paint. Sounds like a plan! :P<br /><br />Okay, I've done finished my wordy bit now. It's time for the fun part: Space Commander's Show and Tell!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aAfVCJsFzEM/Tu02OrlufsI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/fonzpSEqW54/s1600/atomic%2Bclock%2B%2526%2Bgarland.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aAfVCJsFzEM/Tu02OrlufsI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/fonzpSEqW54/s320/atomic%2Bclock%2B%2526%2Bgarland.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687261530285833922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">One of the contemporary copies of the classic Atomic Ball Clock hangs over the kitchen entryway</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a-0pfnPIwwE/Tu09-JfyvEI/AAAAAAAAB70/xcipzOhXxgY/s1600/Ideas%2B4%2BChristmas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a-0pfnPIwwE/Tu09-JfyvEI/AAAAAAAAB70/xcipzOhXxgY/s320/Ideas%2B4%2BChristmas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687270042349255746" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">One of Grandma's holiday craft magazines</span><br /></div><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RNdangMK0Mw/Tu09-YmlbeI/AAAAAAAAB8A/gEiTM15Fhow/s1600/nativity.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RNdangMK0Mw/Tu09-YmlbeI/AAAAAAAAB8A/gEiTM15Fhow/s320/nativity.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687270046404275682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">For the holidays I hauled my Uncle's cedar chest in place of the coffee table to show the family's old nativity. The figures are over 50 years old, they're banged-up, glued and worn (probably due to a very young space commander-in-training) but each and every Christmas they have never failed to take their places.<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2oXXd9F6-JA/Tu09-anaIpI/AAAAAAAAB8I/C7UpThQshdg/s1600/sputnik%2B%2526%2Bcards.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2oXXd9F6-JA/Tu09-anaIpI/AAAAAAAAB8I/C7UpThQshdg/s320/sputnik%2B%2526%2Bcards.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687270046944600722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Always hassling with your greeting cards blown over with each blast of Winter's breath from an open door? Why not try hanging them up instead</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-style: italic;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TybhCYcFFw/Tu1IS87qZ1I/AAAAAAAAB8o/QHLjgfWAy64/s1600/musicbox.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TybhCYcFFw/Tu1IS87qZ1I/AAAAAAAAB8o/QHLjgfWAy64/s320/musicbox.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687281394870019922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">My brother rescued this Nativity-themed music box from the trash collection and passed it on to me. It pays to have family with connections!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ew8wkqytJ_w/Tu1ISvXm-4I/AAAAAAAAB8Y/2ReocAOaG4g/s1600/stockings%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bmantel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ew8wkqytJ_w/Tu1ISvXm-4I/AAAAAAAAB8Y/2ReocAOaG4g/s320/stockings%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bmantel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687281391229139842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">For some reason Junior thinks we don't have enough stockings hung... just in case Santa is feeling very generous to him this year (yeah, well don't get your hopes up boy!)</span><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SIhJuNl_wxg/Tu1ISg0Wt-I/AAAAAAAAB8g/Uk7Hi7ivJ6s/s1600/nonblue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SIhJuNl_wxg/Tu1ISg0Wt-I/AAAAAAAAB8g/Uk7Hi7ivJ6s/s320/nonblue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687281387323176930" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Just because it's non-blue doesn't mean it's verboten! I set these ornaments out in a large wooden bowl which Dear Mom had often used for the same purpose.<br /><br /></span></div>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-59540617326843681232011-12-10T19:31:00.002-06:002011-12-16T20:15:59.227-06:00A Shag Christmas Greeting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv9rJp9Pr9U/Tuvo-6GweQI/AAAAAAAAB6o/6qLyILdU-WA/s1600/DSCN0887.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv9rJp9Pr9U/Tuvo-6GweQI/AAAAAAAAB6o/6qLyILdU-WA/s320/DSCN0887.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686895121932515586" border="0" /></a><br />From the local greeting card and gift shop... the Abominable Snowman living in MCM style on the slopes! Contemporary artist <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shag_%28artist%29">Shag</a> (a.k.a. Josh Agle) never fails to recreate the humorous atomic graphic work of the past without sneering at it. He makes kitschy icons classy. His worlds are always populated by hip, swanky dudes and dudettes living the idyllic lifestyle.<br /><br />The shop I recently stopped in carried a large number of Christmas-themed cards with the Shag illustrations... I like this piece the best (though all are worthy of admiration, I promise). And look at the Christmas tree ornament shapes of the ski-lift in the picture window!<br /><br />For more Shag, please slink on over to: <a style="font-weight: bold;" rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.shag.com/">Shag official website</a><br /><br />Hey! The stockings hung on the Wendell Lovett fireplace? That definitely has some possibilities...Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-8514934740820385942011-12-06T22:55:00.004-06:002011-12-17T13:13:22.065-06:00Plunder from the Used Book Store<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hzN9fkleMXs/Tuvo-lXbN0I/AAAAAAAAB6c/6lT4Gna5UE0/s1600/DSCN0878.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 312px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hzN9fkleMXs/Tuvo-lXbN0I/AAAAAAAAB6c/6lT4Gna5UE0/s320/DSCN0878.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686895116365281090" border="0" /></a><br />While the kidlettes are shooosting down the snow-covered slopes of Suburbia (more specifically, my front yard) I went on a hunt ( more specifically a used book hunt at the <span style="font-style: italic;">Yellowed Pages Used Books</span> store).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e1uOfvlfXHU/Tuvo-tXMJXI/AAAAAAAAB6U/cZx7fYmGX9c/s1600/DSCN0834.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e1uOfvlfXHU/Tuvo-tXMJXI/AAAAAAAAB6U/cZx7fYmGX9c/s320/DSCN0834.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686895118511777138" border="0" /></a><br />I love reading vintage paperbacks, especially the old science fiction of the 50's and 60's. And today I hit paydirt! <span style="font-style: italic;">Rocketship Galileo (originally published 1947)</span> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Heinlein"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Robert Heinlein</span></a> is a classic. Likewise <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredric_Brown"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fredric Brown's</span></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Martians, Go Home (1955)</span>. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_Leinster">Murray Lienster</a> is another top author of the period, I found his <span style="font-style: italic;">Space Platform (1953)</span> in near-pristine condition. And there's one of the prized anthologies edited by <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Greenberg">Martin Greenberg</a> (the co-founder of <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnome_Press" title="Gnome Press">Gnome Press</a>, which was always on the cutting-edge of the s.f. genre of the day). This one's titled <span style="font-style: italic;">Men Against the Stars</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">(1950)</span>.<br /><br />Oooh, which one to dig into first??<br /><br />Another thing.... Who says you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover? Being unmistakably a product of their time mid-century book cover illustrations, especially for the science fiction, suspense, mystery (you know... the "manly-man" type of reading?), were almost never failing at being intriguing, inventive or creatively abstract and modern. And, of course, always eye-catching!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sH1xCVk2r5M/Tuzm2Ugp4dI/AAAAAAAAB7E/UzIfRJiOk9A/s1600/DSCN0967.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sH1xCVk2r5M/Tuzm2Ugp4dI/AAAAAAAAB7E/UzIfRJiOk9A/s320/DSCN0967.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687174250355089874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6F7nhTTwybY/Tuzm2Kw5HII/AAAAAAAAB64/OAmUX13yFPk/s1600/DSCN0966.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6F7nhTTwybY/Tuzm2Kw5HII/AAAAAAAAB64/OAmUX13yFPk/s320/DSCN0966.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687174247738842242" border="0" /></a>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-50016022436648462802011-12-05T22:48:00.000-06:002011-12-05T22:48:23.879-06:00Invading a Christmas Tree Near You!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws3vosisNME/Tt12xwzpkMI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/6wIbq33E598/s1600/DSCN0849.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws3vosisNME/Tt12xwzpkMI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/6wIbq33E598/s320/DSCN0849.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682828902098636994" border="0" /></a><br />Look what I found at a local retailer this year. Three contemporary yet authentic glass ornaments with a FAB retro space-age theme, ready to hang on the aluminum Christmas tree. These are full size ornaments, not plastic knockoffs. I almost fainted with holiday joy when I spotted these! Somebody pinch me ;)Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-4347401769323576692011-12-05T18:55:00.006-06:002011-12-05T23:11:20.806-06:00Winters PastRecently while looking through boxes and boxes of family treasures, I found these two contact prints among my Dad's photography. Now that we've just had our first real snowstorm of the season, its as fitting a time as any to share them here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vh5xz8CWpi4/Tt1oz2fov-I/AAAAAAAAB1w/F01r2OyWPgU/s1600/DSCN0539.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 309px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vh5xz8CWpi4/Tt1oz2fov-I/AAAAAAAAB1w/F01r2OyWPgU/s320/DSCN0539.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682813544822259682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVDKnRt2o90/Tt1ozjFryyI/AAAAAAAAB1o/8Wha1_X6914/s1600/DSCN0540.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVDKnRt2o90/Tt1ozjFryyI/AAAAAAAAB1o/8Wha1_X6914/s320/DSCN0540.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682813539613133602" border="0" /></a><br />It'd be interesting to go back and photograph the same locations today... if I only knew where exactly in town they were taken from! I can however photograph the weekend's first snow as it settles on our beloved ranch house which we call home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YRUy16pUEkE/Tt2jhqH-YDI/AAAAAAAAB2k/N8bFEvNKqJs/s1600/home%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bsnow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YRUy16pUEkE/Tt2jhqH-YDI/AAAAAAAAB2k/N8bFEvNKqJs/s320/home%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bsnow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682878103450181682" border="0" /></a>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-8508739085552240692011-12-02T19:15:00.000-06:002011-12-05T22:41:59.601-06:00Have an Aluminum Christmas This Year!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jRRS8NDsucw/Tt1tFwtFzQI/AAAAAAAAB2M/mv6lkL7tXTo/s1600/DSCN0814.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jRRS8NDsucw/Tt1tFwtFzQI/AAAAAAAAB2M/mv6lkL7tXTo/s320/DSCN0814.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682818250552233218" border="0" /></a>It's the return of Grandma's Regal Sapphire aluminum tree, with the tinsel mechanically attached for that perfect hi-tech look!<br /><br />Ahhh, all those Christmas seasons that I remember helping Grandma set-up and decorate this very tree. And what a spectacle it was, displayed in the corner of the living room near the kitchen entryway. The color wheel light endlessly casting reflections of red, blue and green, dance on the silvery needles. Soon it would be sheltering a colorful horde of presents, professionally wrapped ones by the retailers too!<br /><br />When the first aluminum trees burst upon the scene in the 1950's, many people scoffed at the idea, and only treated as a fad by others. But not my Grandma. Unlike the nay-sayers and scoffers who never understood, Grandma "got it." And fortunately for later-comers like me, she still got it well into the 1970's so that I too could honestly claim that I had "gotten it" as well.<br /><br />Today the Tree made of aluminum tinsel is enjoying renewed acceptance, not so much as a kitschy fad but more and more as trendy stylin'. In fact the trend has been gaining enough momentum that retails have taken notice and have been offering brand new renditions of the metallic icon in a whole host of color variations. What was old is new again!<br /><br />So here's to you, Grandma and your forward-thinkingness... and thank you for all those memories you made that still keep me going forward today!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QgvJ5GJ4dFg/Tt1tF2FnOYI/AAAAAAAAB2A/NDA1dSkkxIE/s1600/DSCN0823.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QgvJ5GJ4dFg/Tt1tF2FnOYI/AAAAAAAAB2A/NDA1dSkkxIE/s320/DSCN0823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682818251997264258" border="0" /></a>Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802544020296021176.post-57732867077034121562011-12-01T20:46:00.004-06:002011-12-01T22:30:40.636-06:0025 DaysTwenty-five days 'til Christmas. Less than a month away. Three weeks left.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tqla_9A1jfc/TthT-TSa48I/AAAAAAAAB0g/1qgfiA11Z08/s1600/DSCN0805.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tqla_9A1jfc/TthT-TSa48I/AAAAAAAAB0g/1qgfiA11Z08/s320/DSCN0805.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681383259722408898" border="0" /></a><br />And I haven't even gotten all the Halloween decorations put away yet.Space Commanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03980773832050906325noreply@blogger.com2