Although Heath Ledger’s Frankie Valli solo (on bleachers!) in 10 Things I Hate About You is exceptional, I prefer the scene where pugnacious Patrick Verona lights his cigarette with his bunsen burner(!) My appreciation for silly science things stems from my previous life as a science nerd (behemothic-I-want-to-make-a-glow-in-the-dark-tomato-plant «TRUE STORY» proportions).
I recently passed by foursided, a picture-framing gallery in Lakeview, which had the most glorious vintage science posters in the store window. My eyes twinkled. One poster featured a ring stand-hugged flask that floated above a bunsen burner (cliché image, I know), while the other poster discussed vision and wavelengths (lots of colors!). Often featuring magnificent hand sketches and an elusive sans-serif “science” font, vintage science illustrations are gorgeously quirky. Apparently there are others that share my fascination with vintage science illustrations, because I FOUND A LOT OF NEAT THINGS. Here is a selection of my findings, in science lesson form.
1. FACT! Flexor muscles allow you to bend your joints. These tins serve as the ideal hiding spot for little trinkets, and as a good reminder of the often overlooked flexor muscles. Tiny Tins (Flexors) from aminyitray on Etsy, $10
2. FACT! Fuzzy bugs are more pleasant in sketch-form, rather than alive-crawling-on-your-leg-form. Fuzzy Wuzzy Insect Pendant from Schmutzerland on Etsy, $27
3. FACT! KING PHILIP CAME OVER FOR GOOD SEX. Do you remember biological classification? No? Silly child. Well, perhaps you should get this BALLER SHIRT WHICH HAS A VINTAGE IMAGE OF MAJOR PHYLA. For those of you who are concerned about how others will respond to your new shirt, FEAR NOT! It comes in two color combinations! Light blue (shown above), and brown (shown below in a clo-clo-close-up image of the shirt) Tree of Life shirt from isotope on Etsy, $18 (Note: isotope has lots of interesting vintage science shirts, so I highly recommend that you take a peek.)
4. FACT! Reindeer = Caribou. These cards don’t feature an authentic vintage illustration, but after sifting through lots of science encyclopedia images, I couldn’t resist including these cards. Also, I like reindeer. Reindeer Antlers letterpress cards from Springtide Press on Etsy, $18
5. FACT! Vena Cava is a fashion label that occasionally makes pretty things, but generally bores me. DOUBLE FACT! De-oxygenated blood travels through the superior and inferior vena cava. TRIPLE FACT! The aorta is the largest artery in the body. Aorta and Vena Cava ring from aminyitray on Etsy, $40
6. FACT! Girls and boys who use skull-adorned pocket mirrors are excellent at hand to hand combat. Skull Pocket Mirror from badgeland on Etsy, $2.49
7. FACT! Without the Moog synthesizer, we would be without many hottt electronic tracks. Note detail below! Moog Synthesizer Schematic shirt from isotope on Etsy, $14
8. FACT! Biology purses are cooler than rolling backpacks. Biology Book Purse from prettytheory on Etsy, $40
9. FACT! Wearing a necklace that shows an injured hand proves that you are not afraid of blood, bitches, and hand to hand combat. Wounded Hand Pendant from aminyitray on Etsy, $25
10. FACT! The experience of reading any book can be improved if you use a tuberculosis, diphtheria, and tetanus bookmark. Yum. Bacteria Bookmark from DamageNoted on Etsy, $1.75
Final note: If you really like vintage science illustrations, you will love this Flickr pool.
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12 Responses for "vintage science illustrations!"
Tricia: I LOVE this. For I am secretly a reformed science nerd, too. :D
Oh poo, do all science nerds get reformed? I don’t wanna. This is a super post. Many thanks.
Fear not, rainbowbrown. I still have an inkling of science in me.
Lorraine- You are a reformed science nerd too?! Perhaps THIS is the best fact of the day!
This post wins a gold star! Of course, my favorite is the moog tee because it reminds me of my failed attempts at being an electronic music composer, ha ha.
Oh also, Tricia, I can’t help but remember that AWESOME Fall Out Boy video with the antlers, ha ha…it makes me want to wear an antler headband!
For your viewing pleasure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZzHN3_m4Ms
gold stars? those are the best kind of stars! i really miss making funny noises on your synthesizer. also, i had never seen that fall out boy video, but I just watched it. i hope you aren’t being sarcastic with that “AWESOME,” because i actually think that video was kind of adorable. best music video i’ve seen recently (even though it’s now archaic).
love the 10 things i hate about you reference!
thanks! in the real/internet words, i strive to make as many 10 things i hate about you references as i can.
I’m gald my link to Fall Out Boy has cleared “moderation,” and that it suited your tastes. I also spent plenty of my Low Rise #7 days watching this video…and it WAS AWESOME!
[...] now go look at the two posts below, because they are hot (an Oscar ballot FOR YOU, & vintage science!), and they took us a long time to write, and if you get bored you can always Cornify the page for [...]
[...] should also check out Tricia’s awesome round-up of Vintage Science Illustrations [...]
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