Man, this invention had everything, wheels, are those pontoons? A fan, guns, bombs, so much thought went into this. The ability to raise and lower the vehicle from the ballon (dirigible/blimp). And again, similarities to what Winsor McCay was doing at the time. But airships had been around since the last 1880’s. I also like the fact that the illustrator knew that the earth would appear smaller in size once one was up far enough away from it.
If you are on a PC and hit the windows key + the plus sign (on the number pad), you can get a good magnifying app. It helps considerably with these ancient works designed for broadsheets.
Do we know that the moon is inhabited or that it is made of green cheese? Do we know that Mars is inhabited or whether it is cracked? Do we know anything about Santa Claus Land or where Fourth of Julys are made? No! Decidedly no!
Realizing our terrible ignorance and remembering how long it has been since Alice visted Wonderland, the FUNNY SIDE decided that something must be done. The ablest minds in the country were consulted and exhausted. As a result behold “The Explorigator.”
Neither brains nor money was spared in fitting out this wonderful airship. It has hot and cold water, dumbwaiters and a southern exposure. The crew has be carefully selected.
THE EXPLORIGATOR sails from this page to-day. It will go directly to the Moon, where the first series of explorations will be conducted.
Inset top left: *Balloon: **
With your kind permission we will now proceed.
Caption: **
ADMIRAL FUDGE
Salute and bow, and all kow-tow, for Admiral Fudge am I.
I’m not so old, but none so bold have ever sailed the sky.
I do not know just where we’ll go on our aerial curse.
But never mind, w’re sure to find material for news.
Inset middle left: *Balloon: **
SHHH! Wait! I have a clew.
Caption: **
DETECTIVE RUBBERSOLE
Hush! hush! ’tis I, that ???s ?y, Detective Rubbersole.
No mystery is dark for me, and sleuthing is my goal.
The moon’s green chees, you know ‘tis said, so if it’s so or not,
I’m going to find out for myself by tasting(?) it while hot
Inset bottom left: *Balloon: **
Aye, aye, sir!
Caption: **
MAURICE MIZZENTOP
Ye-ha(?) for Maurice Mizzentop, a fearless navigator,
I am the crew and a good one, too, of the “Explorigator.”
Though new to the sky no fears have I of sailing a flying ship,
But I will swear I’m up in the air on this here sort of trip.
BigDaveGlass over 3 years ago
Even zooming in to +500% it’s difficult to read…..
Bendarling1 over 3 years ago
Not much better or worse than my handwriting
dmalzahn over 3 years ago
Man, this invention had everything, wheels, are those pontoons? A fan, guns, bombs, so much thought went into this. The ability to raise and lower the vehicle from the ballon (dirigible/blimp). And again, similarities to what Winsor McCay was doing at the time. But airships had been around since the last 1880’s. I also like the fact that the illustrator knew that the earth would appear smaller in size once one was up far enough away from it.
D1063n35 Premium Member over 3 years ago
If you are on a PC and hit the windows key + the plus sign (on the number pad), you can get a good magnifying app. It helps considerably with these ancient works designed for broadsheets.
MyTBaron Premium Member over 3 years ago
TO FUNNY SIDE READERS:
Do we know that the moon is inhabited or that it is made of green cheese? Do we know that Mars is inhabited or whether it is cracked? Do we know anything about Santa Claus Land or where Fourth of Julys are made? No! Decidedly no!
Realizing our terrible ignorance and remembering how long it has been since Alice visted Wonderland, the FUNNY SIDE decided that something must be done. The ablest minds in the country were consulted and exhausted. As a result behold “The Explorigator.”
Neither brains nor money was spared in fitting out this wonderful airship. It has hot and cold water, dumbwaiters and a southern exposure. The crew has be carefully selected.
THE EXPLORIGATOR sails from this page to-day. It will go directly to the Moon, where the first series of explorations will be conducted.
Inset top left: *Balloon: **With your kind permission we will now proceed.
Caption: **ADMIRAL FUDGE
Salute and bow, and all kow-tow, for Admiral Fudge am I.
I’m not so old, but none so bold have ever sailed the sky.
I do not know just where we’ll go on our aerial curse.
But never mind, w’re sure to find material for news.
Inset middle left: *Balloon: **SHHH! Wait! I have a clew.
Caption: **DETECTIVE RUBBERSOLE
Hush! hush! ’tis I, that ???s ?y, Detective Rubbersole.
No mystery is dark for me, and sleuthing is my goal.
The moon’s green chees, you know ‘tis said, so if it’s so or not,
I’m going to find out for myself by tasting(?) it while hot
Inset bottom left: *Balloon: **Aye, aye, sir!
Caption: **MAURICE MIZZENTOP
Ye-ha(?) for Maurice Mizzentop, a fearless navigator,
I am the crew and a good one, too, of the “Explorigator.”
Though new to the sky no fears have I of sailing a flying ship,
But I will swear I’m up in the air on this here sort of trip.