Going back in time

I love the Internet Archive.

For one thing, it contains a copy of the long-lost page for the Fibblesnork Uber-Garlic Pickle ("the only pickle with hang time"). Here is the recipe, and here are some quotes from satisfied customers. Since I normally order my chicken wings with either mild or bland sauce - whichever is wimpier - I dare not try one.

The Internet Archive includes copies of every single web page throughout history that they could get their hands on. It isn't a complete record, but it's pretty impressive. For example, it has preserved copies of my web site from 2000 and 2003. (Try not to laugh too hard - hey, you had to learn too.)

But, best of all, it contains the Prelinger Archives. This is a collection of old health and safety films from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s - the sort you or your parents might have been shown in health class. (Health class was always a little strange because - at least in my school - they had separate health classes for boys and girls. You always wondered: what was going on in the other class?) The archive also includes collections of old commercials, animated short features, and much, much more. And everything in the archive is in the public domain. You can download these films, watch them, show them to your friends, include them in your own works of art, or anything you want.

Here's some of my favourites:

Duck and Cover (1951): One of the most famous health and safety films ever. Bert the Turtle tells kids what to do if an atomic bomb goes off in their home town: duck as low as possible, and cover yourself with a coat or an old newspaper.

The House In The Middle (1954): The premise is simple: neat, tidy and freshly painted houses are more likely to survive an atomic blast. You absolutely have to watch this movie.

Boys Beware (1961): You might think that the streets of Fresno were safe for boys, especially in the early 1960s. Not so fast, says Sid Davis Productions: after all, there are, gasp, homosexuals lurking everywhere! Companion movies from Sid Davis are Girls Beware and The Strange Ones.

In My Merry Oldsmobile (1932): Wonderful early animated feature, plus singalong footage. The cartoon probably could not be shown on national television today, as it's a bit too suggestive for the delicate eyes of network censors. (Plus, it includes footage of a newly married couple fighting each other with boxing gloves on.)

Are You Ready For Marriage? (1950): The title alone is worth the download.

Body Care and Grooming (1948): Ditto.

My Japan (1945): Made when America was at war, this is a portrayal of the enemy as hard-working and ruthless. Its intent was to scare Americans into fighting harder. Features a Caucasian actor with ludicrously bad Japanese makeup and accent.

Your Name Here (1960): A sendup of self-congratulatory advertising films produced by companies that wanted to trumpet their achievements to the world.

All of these films, and everything else in the archive, are available in DVD quality or in a more compact computer-viewable size.