• 21st Century Dodos by Steve Stack

      What do Spangles, Polaroid Cameras, Green Shield Stamps and the ITV Seven have in common? Readers under 35 years of age may have to ask a grownup.

      The answer is, they are all things that were created, blazed across our culture, and disappeared forever during the 20th Century.

      This book is a gentle romp through a lost world of Petrol Pump Attendants, Rag and Bone Men and Lighthouse Keepers, all trades sadly passed into history by the march of progress. Each item has a paragraph about its invention, lifespan and decline, and has a Dodo rating, similar to our Mr. Mushroom Head. Even the Technology section recalls some lost items - Commodore Vic 20 anyone? Laser disc? Betamax video player? Sooooo last century, darlings!

      There's a lovely section on countries that don't exist any more, from Abyssinia to Zaire and Zanzibar, which recalled long-ago Geography lessons. And one of High Street Shops, from 'Our Price' to Athena and Rumbelows. I learned that Green Shield Stamp shops were turned into the first Argos shops. Wonder how long THEY will last?

      Mr. Slack has researched his topic well, and I enjoyed reading about food, sweets and a way of life that has gone. It's a lovely little volume that anyone over thirty will enjoy,and those pesky kids could read, to help them understand a little of what their elders are talking about.

      Four mushroom heads. And a small quiz. Complete the advertising slogans:

      A finger of fudge is just enough to ....
      A man's gotta chew what ...
      For mash get ....
      Um Bongo, Um Bongo, they ...
      I'm a secret ...
      Happiness is ...
      All because the lady loves ...
      Hello Tosh, ...

      Boldnotold



      Click here to buy from Amazon
      Comments 16 Comments
      1. BiscuitsAB's Avatar
        BiscuitsAB -
        A finger of fudge is just enough to .... give the kids a treat
        A man's gotta chew what ... Texan
        For mash get .... Smash
        Um Bongo, Um Bongo, they ... drink it in the jungle
        I'm a secret ... lemonade drinker
        Happiness is ... a cigar called hamlet
        All because the lady loves ... milk tray
        Hello Tosh, ... got a Toshiba



        20/20 rose tinted retro vision
      1. Auld-Yin's Avatar
        Auld-Yin -
        Spoilsport!!!
      1. BiscuitsAB's Avatar
        BiscuitsAB -
        Quote Originally Posted by Auld-Yin View Post
        Spoilsport!!!

        Sorry mate had to do it whilst I still could, before you know, my memory goes like yours

        edit. I fekkin loved Texan bars as a kid. And wagon wheels were bigger.
      1. baboon6's Avatar
        baboon6 -
        We still have petrol pump attendants in South Africa!
      1. Werewolf's Avatar
        Werewolf -
        Creamola Foam!
      1. pongo6863's Avatar
        pongo6863 -
        Just bought this for my Kindle and two printed versions for birthday prezzies. Not everybody (in civie street) has two mad mates!

        Black Jacks & Fruit Salad at a farthing each that didn't taste of chemicals...
      1. Auld-Yin's Avatar
        Auld-Yin -
        Quote Originally Posted by pongo6863 View Post
        Just bought this for my Kindle and two printed versions for birthday prezzies. Not everybody (in civie street) has two mad mates!

        Black Jacks & Fruit Salad at a farthing each that didn't taste of chemicals...
        Why were you eating farthings? The Black Jacks & Fruit Salads would have been much nicer
      1. genesis's Avatar
        genesis -
        They still make them?
      1. Joker62's Avatar
        Joker62 -
        Quote Originally Posted by BiscuitsAB View Post
        A finger of fudge is just enough to .... give the kids a treat
        A man's gotta chew what ... Texan
        For mash get .... Smash
        Um Bongo, Um Bongo, they ... drink it in the jungle
        I'm a secret ... lemonade drinker
        Happiness is ... a cigar called hamlet
        All because the lady loves ... milk tray
        Hello Tosh, ... got a Toshiba



        20/20 rose tinted retro vision
        Actually the quote is " a man's gotta chew what a man's gotta chew", the product is a Texan bar,
      1. Stooriefit's Avatar
        Stooriefit -
        And I think you'll find that Um Bongo is drunk not in the jungle, but in the Congo.. (although clearly it would be drunk in the Congolese jungle)
      1. genesis's Avatar
        genesis -
        Thanks biccies
      1. Boldnotold's Avatar
        Boldnotold -
        Quote Originally Posted by Werewolf View Post
        Creamola Foam!
        Is mentioned in the book
      1. Boldnotold's Avatar
        Boldnotold -
        Must try harder!

        Quote Originally Posted by BiscuitsAB View Post
        A finger of fudge is just enough to .... give the kids a treat
        A man's gotta chew what ... Texan NOPE
        For mash get .... Smash
        Um Bongo, Um Bongo, they ... drink it in the jungle Nope
        I'm a secret ... lemonade drinker
        Happiness is ... a cigar called hamlet
        All because the lady loves ... milk tray
        Hello Tosh, ... got a Toshiba



        20/20 rose tinted retro vision
      1. Boldnotold's Avatar
        Boldnotold -
        Quote Originally Posted by Joker62 View Post
        Actually the quote is " a man's gotta chew what a man's gotta chew", the product is a Texan bar,
        Give that man a Texan bar!
      1. Boldnotold's Avatar
        Boldnotold -
        Quote Originally Posted by Stooriefit View Post
        And I think you'll find that Um Bongo is drunk not in the jungle, but in the Congo.. (although clearly it would be drunk in the Congolese jungle)
        Full mark to Stooriefit.