Hi folks, Scott here, standing in for the Grand Wombat while he's off at some sort of wombat whing-doodle.
They debuted at the 1893 World Colombian Exposition (aka World's Fair) in Chicago, and originals are still available in collectors markets -- selling for about $30-35, if Ebay is any indication. The manufacture of the objects in question is legal in the US, but the equivalent act in would be illegal in Canada, so alternative raw materials must be used. The items are currently manufactured many foreign countries, in all 50 U.S. states, plus the District of Columbia, where there is a museum dedicated to this item.
For all the marbles, what is this thingee?
First to post the correct answer without recourse to Google or Ebay will win a pair of deluxe Shure (tm) noise-cancelling headphones that automatically sense the hottest topic in public debate and replace all talk of it with soothing nature sounds. Wouldn't you rather hear the gentle roar of the ocean than yet still more about Cindy Sheehan? The very same model used by the President and other top Administration officials!
Posted by Scott at August 19, 2005 09:27 AM"Canada sucks" bumper stickers
Posted by: James on August 19, 2005 09:40 AMGlow-in-the-dark watches.
Posted by: Scraps on August 19, 2005 09:53 AMIce cream cones.
Posted by: boxjam on August 19, 2005 10:05 AMPrinted-upon leaflets containing the wording of the "Plaedge of Allegenc"
Posted by: boxjam on August 19, 2005 10:17 AMNo, no, no, and WTF?
Posted by: Scott on August 19, 2005 10:20 AMIs it OK if I google "Plaedge of Allegenc"?
Posted by: James on August 19, 2005 10:40 AMcandy necklaces
Posted by: James on August 19, 2005 10:47 AMabout 10 yrs. too early for Teddy Bears, right?
just want to verify a wrong guess
Posted by: James on August 19, 2005 11:19 AMCigarettes?
Posted by: bootsy on August 19, 2005 11:29 AMBeer cans?
Posted by: bootsy on August 19, 2005 11:31 AMI went to the 1893 Worlds Fair and all I got was this lousy squished penny!
(Squished pennies.)
Postcards?
Posted by: bootsy on August 19, 2005 11:36 AMCigarettes, beer cans, and squished pennies -- we get from bootsy not only a glimpse of her fast-paced lifestyle, but also the correct answer -- squished pennies.
Elongating coins is legal in the United States since you aren't trying to defraud anyone in altering the currency. While some think that Canada doesn't want you squishing pennies because of the disrespect shown to the Queen's image, the actual reason is that any alteration of Canadian coinage or currency is prohibited. It is fine to crush the Queen's head if you're in the UK and using UK coins.
Fine work. Your headphones are on their way to Queens via a guy who calls himself 'Kingsnake' who swore he's headed that way and will drop them by your place. If you don't see him by Sunday, you might ask around the Y.
Posted by: Scott on August 19, 2005 11:38 AMI still think I'm wrong, at least about the debut.
The article below mentions the Steiff stuffed bear cubs as coming into existence as early as 1902. However, it appears that they first entered the US in 1903, ten years too late for the World Expo (unless it was very unfortunately named).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_Bear
This site places the Teddy bear coming out between 1902 (Roosevelt's infamous non-hunting party) and 1906, when the moniker was coined.
http://www.teddybears.com/history/tgth15.htm
Perhaps you meant the 1904 World Fair in St. Louis or the Leipzig Toy Fair in March 1902.
http://www.natureofanimals.com/MargareteSteiff.html
I'd do more research but I'm afraid I'll hit animated teddy bear GIFs accompanied with MIDIs of the "Teddy Bear's Picnic."
Posted by: James on August 19, 2005 11:47 AMPlease excuse my previous message. It would take too long to explain. Let's just say I need more/less coffee.
Posted by: James on August 19, 2005 11:50 AMAh, the devil in the cottonkitty.
Who here is not a little scared of James?
For my part, I apologize for yelling "yes we have no bananas" in a crowded blogspace. I knew it was a bad idea even as I did it.
Posted by: Scott on August 19, 2005 12:09 PMHere's a follow-up question: how do you write "I knew it was a bad idea even as I did it." in Latin? I've been needing a motto.
Posted by: Scott on August 19, 2005 03:31 PMExcellent quiz -- and so wise to get the unpleasantness out of the way before Friday comes.
I am pleased to report that my daughter is enthusiastic about the Pacific Ocean, despite the fact that it is Plutonically cold.
Ciao.
Posted by: BT in Beachworld on August 19, 2005 04:06 PMOh, wait a minute. It IS Friday. I am very disoriented. Blame the ocean and its confusion-causing frigidity.
Posted by: BT in Beachworld on August 19, 2005 04:08 PMtalk about confused--it's saturday here
Posted by: art on August 19, 2005 11:52 PMLots of miscaffeination out in Wombat Land this week. Except for Art, who is simply upside down.
Posted by: Scott on August 20, 2005 12:43 PMWater spirals the wrong way out the sink
TMBG
Posted by: James on August 22, 2005 03:40 PM