# In the dustbin of our cultural history **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 10, 2020, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703 "2020-12-10T00:57:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 34
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/664 "2021-02-10T01:08:31Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > I got a Royal Portable typewriter when I was about 13 years old (circa 1963), for either my birthday or Hanukkah or my Bar Mitzvah (I forget which). I put myself through school with it. I still have it to this day, although I haven’t used it for years and years. Can you even buy ribbons for it any more? It used the same ribbon reels as Model 33 Teletype machines. I was passed down my mom’s old portable\* (weighed more than a pound or two) Underwood that she’d bought second hand some time in the 40s. I used it high school, and since I was an English Lit major it came in very handy in college. You had to use some force to get a good impression, but even then I could touch type pretty quickly. Does anyone else remember the frustration of jammed typewriter keys. Argh! - I think it was portable as much because it came with a case with a handle as opposed to just a cover. ---
**Author:** ![Madam\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madam_librarian/32/3123_2.png) [@Madam\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madam_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/665 "2021-02-10T02:15:02Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > If you don’t mind my asking what years were you doing all this stuff? I don’t know why I didn’t see your question until now, but. . .Brownies and Girl Scouts were between 1965-1970. ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/666 "2021-02-10T03:10:30Z")
Here’s an interesting look back at “The Mighty 1090” by a Little Rock TV station. [KAAY Feature on Little Rock TV, Part 1 of 2 - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-bQOtQT6Zs) ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/667 "2021-02-10T08:58:57Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I think it was portable as much because it came with a case with a handle as opposed to just a cover. By definition, anything that has a handle is portable. It doesn’t matter if it only a forklift or Chewbacca can lift it. In the mid-1960s, when any DIY home entertainment center might have a reel-to-reel tape recorder (remember those?), a good quality one could be quite heavy. But they came with a handle, so they were marketed as being portable. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/668 "2021-02-10T13:45:06Z")
[Portable motorcycle](http://www.caroholic.com/centaur_scooter_information.htm). ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/669 "2021-02-10T19:04:31Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > But they came with a handle, so they were marketed as being portable. Sounds like a variation on [Maxim #32](https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2013-09-29). ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/670 "2021-02-10T19:20:11Z")
> [@peccavi](#): > > Ah yes, the good old days when no line was secure. In '71-'72, I was in the dorms, on the same floor as a couple of other physics students who had built a [_Blue Box_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_box), and spent off hours in the gentle art of [_phreaking_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phreaking). The Bell Labs Technical Journal issue with the article giving the frequencies used to control the system was the #1 checked out journal in the MIT Engineering Library. When I was in a logic lab some of my friends borrowed my scope to check out their blue box (not removing it from the lab, though.) We used other means to make free calls, very hand since my girlfriend at the time was far away. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/671 "2021-02-13T06:40:36Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > When I was growing up in the far north of England it was common practice, even in modestly sized houses, to have a “Front Parlour”. We had something similar when I was growing up, only we called it the living room. It was the first room you saw on entering the house, it contained the best furniture, etc., but was never used except on holidays. I suppose our living room did serve a purpose after all, in that it provided distance between the bedrooms and the everyday living areas of the house. This allowed one to use the kitchen, watch TV, or even run the washer and dryer without disturbing anyone in the bedrooms. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/672 "2021-02-13T17:31:33Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > …we called it the living room. As a kid I was disgusted by all that “wasted” space, that only got used if fancy company came over (usually at the holidays). So I’d say “Oh, look, a living room. Now remember, no one does any living in the living room.” ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/673 "2021-02-17T16:04:13Z")
I thought of another one when I heard a J. Geils Band song on the radio last night. Centerfolds. I’m guessing they don’t exist anymore, but I don’t know for sure. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/674 "2021-02-17T16:17:17Z")
That was a great tune, for popalicious values of “great”. I’ve told the story before, but that song was released in my last year in college. A few months later I’m leafing through a cheapo girlie mag at the barbershop and the centerfold was a girl from my high school class. I remembered her as too hot & too social for the likes of nerdly me. But I _did_ remember her. So of course that song was stuck in my head for days. As were her pics. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/675 "2021-02-17T16:19:21Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Centerfolds. I’m guessing they don’t exist anymore, but I don’t know for sure. Since neither Playboy nor Penthouse have print editions anymore, I doubt it. A few printed nudie magazines may still be available, but they’re bound to be cheapies that wouldn’t go to the expense of having a centerfold. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/676 "2021-02-17T19:13:06Z")
Well, I do hope some softcore porn sites have wide jpegs with the model sideways, so you have to turn your monitor and unfold it… with fold lines and a staple in Miss February’s navel. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/677 "2021-02-17T20:32:04Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Since neither Playboy nor Penthouse have print editions anymore, I doubt it. My local Barnes and Noble is still selling Penthouse on its magazine rack. Playboy is gone as a print magazine, but Penthouse seems to live on. Wikipedia says nothing about its demise. It’s changed hands several times, but it’s still there > **[Penthouse (magazine)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penthouse_(magazine))** > > Penthouse is a men's magazine founded by Bob Guccione and published by Los Angeles–based Penthouse World Media, LLC. It combines urban lifestyle articles and softcore pornographic pictures of women that, in the 1990s, evolved into hardcore pornographic pictures of women. > Although Guccione was American, the magazine was founded in the United Kingdom in 1965. Starting in September 1969, it was also made available for purchase in the United States. Since 2016, Penthouse has been under the ownersh... ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/678 "2021-02-17T20:38:27Z")
When I Googled I saw several references to Penthouse ending its printed edition in 2016. But I guess they continued, since you can apparently order the print edition on Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/679 "2021-02-17T20:47:25Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > …Actually, coal has more or less disappeared these days, come to think of it. I could find logs for burning easily enough, but I don’t know where I’d go to buy coal. This just in (published 16 February 2021): > **[Selling coal for domestic use in England](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/selling-coal-for-domestic-use-in-england)** > > Rules for coal merchants and retailers selling traditional house coal for use in domestic appliances in England. > To sell traditional house coal (also known as bituminous coal) from 1 May 2021 you must be registered as a member of the [Approved Coal Merchants scheme](https://solidfuel.co.uk/approved-coal-wood-merchants/). > > All sales of traditional house coal will be banned in England from 1 May 2023. Now that’s _really_ in the dustbin of our social history. j ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/680 "2021-02-17T22:43:47Z")
More like in the coal scuttle of our social history. But despite my silly quibbles your point is spot on. From the ubiquitous and mighty Fuel Powering Our Glorious Future to the literal ash heap in barely 250 years. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/681 "2021-02-17T23:25:59Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > This is way before the cards you’re referring to. These were not prepaid. They just allowed you to make calls that would be charged to another account. In my case my home phone. In other cases, a company account. I don’t recall the '94 rate from Saudi to St. Louis, but I’m pretty sure the Marriot would add a significant up charge. No cell phones either. I worked at a couple of places that had those rules. One was a newspaper. The reporters went nuts trying to bribe the editor’s account number out of his secretary. ---
**Author:** ![mtnmatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@mtnmatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mtnmatt)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/682 "2021-02-17T23:33:17Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > More like in the coal scuttle of our social history. > > But despite my silly quibbles your point is spot on. From the ubiquitous and mighty Fuel Powering Our Glorious Future to the literal ash heap in barely 250 years. Years ago, I was cleaning out my great-aunt’s house outside Boston, and in the desk was a promotional ruler from the local coal company, which cited “Clean Coal - Careful Teamsters - Prompt Delivery” as their promises to customers. The company’s motto: “Our coal is black, but we treat you white.” I would love to know of a museum of racism that I could donate it to. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703/683 "2021-02-18T00:21:51Z")
> [@mtnmatt](#): > > The company’s motto: “Our coal is black, but we treat you white.” > > I would love to know of a museum of racism that I could donate it to. Although I think the intention of that slogan might have been more a pun on the phrase “treat you right” rather than a racial allusion, you should still send the ruler to [the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University](https://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/news/jimcrow/donate.htm), and see what they make of it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703.md?page=33) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-dustbin-of-our-cultural-history/927703.md?page=35)