1950's Innovations Featured on ILL - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Madame X · 07-06-2008, 06:40 PM

It's wonderful that generations of people are appreciating I Love Lucy. The show was definitely a product of the 1950's, featuring clothing, references and settings of that time. I've been watching since 1961 and some things are mysteries to me not having grown up with them.

I was thinking how a young person nowadays would view ILL. Here are some examples that would make a person under 40 say "what's that?!"

What else can we add to the list?

Bowling ball cleaner
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Washer; cooler with evaporator
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Permanent wave machine
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4-finger baseball glove; dial payphone
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Movie projector; dial telephone
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Steam reducing machine
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Reel-to-reel tape recorder
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Haunted_Armoire · 07-06-2008, 06:53 PM

That steam bath thing was actually pretty popular back then. What I always wanted to know was how did Lucy get it to make steam? When Ethel opened it up, there was only a light bulb in there. It was like an Easy Bake Oven!

PrettyinPink55 · 07-06-2008, 07:35 PM

This is a really cool thread!!! The screenshots are so clear!!

Ireneparalegal · 07-06-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haunted_Armoire

That steam bath thing was actually pretty popular back then. What I always wanted to know was how did Lucy get it to make steam? When Ethel opened it up, there was only a light bulb in there. It was like an Easy Bake Oven!

There were actually 8 bulbs, if I remember correctly. Four bulbs on each side. I don't feel like pulling my DVD's out to check.

Let me add:

The record player we see a few times, one of which is seen when Lucy dons that beard.

The radio by Lucy's bed, which we see when she and Ricky make that bet abt his anger.

Haunted_Armoire · 07-06-2008, 09:09 PM

Oh poo I got the number of bulbs incorrect. I just said "a light bulb".

Oh well my point was that you needed more than a light bulb in a box to make a steam bath.

Ireneparalegal · 07-06-2008, 09:13 PM

Seriously though, what was up with that? If it is a steambath, why are there BULBS inside?

That was ridiculous.

Haunted_Armoire · 07-06-2008, 09:17 PM

If you add water to the box with the light bulbs you may not make steam but you get a great home permanent if you sit on a metal chair in there!

Ireneparalegal · 07-06-2008, 09:19 PM

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PrettyinPink55 · 07-07-2008, 12:15 AM

This isn't much, but the typewriter was featured in some episodes!

InspectorExstead · 07-07-2008, 12:45 PM

very cool thread, with interesting pictures!
i always wondered what that machine was that lucy put on ricky's head to help grow his hair. lol.

Ireneparalegal · 07-07-2008, 07:31 PM

The telephones. Black with a cord. The norm for the phones from that era. As a matter of fact, in 1984 when both my grandparents passed away, we went to their home to start clearing out their belongings and they still had that kind of black phone in their home.

I remember when the phone man came to remove it, since it was not hooked up by a jack, and the look on his face was pure astonishment.

Larry Surrell · 07-07-2008, 09:35 PM

Do people still use waffle irons?

catlover79 · 07-07-2008, 09:36 PM

Awesome thread/pics, Stacy!! Irene and I missed having you in our Salt Sisterhood. We now have a few Salt Brothers as well.

Ireneparalegal · 07-07-2008, 09:42 PM

Larry, I believe people still use waffle irons. I seen them a lot in hotels in the breakfast area for guests to use. I just buy the frozen ones.

Yes Monika, you are so right. Great to have Stacy back in the sisterhood and just to let you know Stacy, Jude is a pepper brother. Or pepper bro.

catlover79 · 07-07-2008, 09:43 PM

Yes, I just get the frozen waffles and eliminate the middle man.

07-06-2008, 06:40 PM	#1
Madame X Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,831	1950's Innovations Featured on ILL It's wonderful that generations of people are appreciating I Love Lucy. The show was definitely a product of the 1950's, featuring clothing, references and settings of that time. I've been watching since 1961 and some things are mysteries to me not having grown up with them. I was thinking how a young person nowadays would view ILL. Here are some examples that would make a person under 40 say "what's that?!" What else can we add to the list? Bowling ball cleaner Washer; cooler with evaporator Permanent wave machine 4-finger baseball glove; dial payphone Movie projector; dial telephone Steam reducing machine Reel-to-reel tape recorder

07-06-2008, 07:35 PM	#3
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	This is a really cool thread!!! The screenshots are so clear!!
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07-07-2008, 12:45 PM	#10
InspectorExstead Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 29, 2001 Location: The Golden State Posts: 12,902	very cool thread, with interesting pictures! i always wondered what that machine was that lucy put on ricky's head to help grow his hair. lol.
	__________________ They killed my sister because she asked: "Where is my vote?" http://sosiran.com/ http://tapeshhd.com/index.php

07-07-2008, 09:36 PM	#13
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Awesome thread/pics, Stacy!! Irene and I missed having you in our Salt Sisterhood. We now have a few Salt Brothers as well.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-06-2008, 06:53 PM	#2
Haunted_Armoire Banned Banned!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 27, 2006 Posts: 293	That steam bath thing was actually pretty popular back then. What I always wanted to know was how did Lucy get it to make steam? When Ethel opened it up, there was only a light bulb in there. It was like an Easy Bake Oven!

07-06-2008, 09:09 PM	#5
Haunted_Armoire Banned Banned!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 27, 2006 Posts: 293	Oh poo I got the number of bulbs incorrect. I just said "a light bulb". Oh well my point was that you needed more than a light bulb in a box to make a steam bath.

07-06-2008, 09:13 PM	#6
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Seriously though, what was up with that? If it is a steambath, why are there BULBS inside? That was ridiculous.

07-06-2008, 09:17 PM	#7
Haunted_Armoire Banned Banned!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 27, 2006 Posts: 293	If you add water to the box with the light bulbs you may not make steam but you get a great home permanent if you sit on a metal chair in there!

07-06-2008, 09:19 PM	#8
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

07-07-2008, 12:15 AM	#9
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	This isn't much, but the typewriter was featured in some episodes!

07-07-2008, 07:31 PM	#11
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	The telephones. Black with a cord. The norm for the phones from that era. As a matter of fact, in 1984 when both my grandparents passed away, we went to their home to start clearing out their belongings and they still had that kind of black phone in their home. I remember when the phone man came to remove it, since it was not hooked up by a jack, and the look on his face was pure astonishment.

07-07-2008, 09:35 PM	#12
Larry Surrell Ed M. 1918-2006 RIP Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 27, 2003 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 702	Do people still use waffle irons?

07-07-2008, 09:42 PM	#14
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Larry, I believe people still use waffle irons. I seen them a lot in hotels in the breakfast area for guests to use. I just buy the frozen ones. Yes Monika, you are so right. Great to have Stacy back in the sisterhood and just to let you know Stacy, Jude is a pepper brother. Or pepper bro.

07-07-2008, 09:43 PM	#15
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Yes, I just get the frozen waffles and eliminate the middle man.