Photos displaying on either side of this one in the Prints & Photographs Online Catalog may yield clues—view the neighboring photos:
www.loc.gov/pictures/related/?&pk=hec2013006616&s...
Harris & Ewing,, photographer.
[Woman seated with a psychograph, a phrenology machine, on her head]
[1931]
1 negative : glass ; 4 x 5 in. or smaller
Notes:
Title information from Flickr Commons Project, 2015.
Date based on date of negatives in same range.
Gift; Harris & Ewing, Inc. 1955.
Subjects:
United States.
Format: Glass negatives.
Rights Info: No known restrictions on publication.
Repository: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA,
hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print
Part Of: Harris & Ewing Collection (Library of Congress)
General information about the Harris & Ewing Collection is available at
hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.hec
Higher resolution image is available (Persistent URL): hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hec.36580
Call Number: LC-H2- B-4880
Info:
Owner:
The Library of Congress
Source:
Flickr Commons
Views: 144813
toureasy47201
It keeps the aliens from messing with your mind.
bawdy kittens
It's an electric vacuum dandruff remover which gives you a smile like Mickey Mouse ??
edjs
It measures the shape of your head (phrenology). blog.modernmechanix.com/machine-reads-your-head-bumps/
oldoinyo
My guesses: 1) Some sort of hat measuring device. 2) (more likely) Something to do with some kind of pseudoscientific quackery--it has that look about it, like something trying to look like a sophisticated device.
bawdy kittens
Looking at the photos on either side of this the connection is obviously "Hoover" and "Walt Disney" so maybe there's some kind of political brain washing machine prototype on trial here ??
bawdy kittens
Seems to be working as well. I wonder what happened to the lady who volunteered for the photograph ... probably married a General ... and did the operator later work for the CIA ?? Obviously this is just my cynical speculation ...
bawdy kittens
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/edjs] You got it mate, thanks! Should have followed the link! blog.modernmechanix.com/machine-reads-your-head-bumps/ Thanks ...
Joe Schneid
I see Edward identified the machine but I thought I would share my first thought. It reminded me of the permanent wave machine in my mothers beauty shop, circa 1949. estatesalesnews.com/2015/04/learn-about-estate-sales/thro...
wertheim
Fun set.
Mr. Kimberly
Phrenology machine. I had my head examined by one at the Museum of Questionable Medical Devices (no longer open)...
purduebob
I agree with Andrew, that was a fun set
A.M. Kuchling
The collection of the Museum of Questionable Medical Devices was transferred to the Science Museum of Minnesota, and the phrenology machine is currently on display. It would produce a list of careers you were suited for. My wife got a reading on our visit, and one of her careers was "Zeppelin Pilot".
QuesterMark
Oh, I want to get a reading! Next time I'm in Minnesota...
patrick_thered
Vinz Clortho?
Leth428
That's Doc Brown's telepathy device from 1955
momentous growth
+++! :)
Jon (LOC P&P)
Good work Edward. I looked into a bit more and apparently the creators called it a psychograph. I guessing they could get more buyers if it sounded scientific.
Jon (LOC P&P)
We'll update the catalog record. Robert Kimberly, did it give an accurate reading?
fly280zx/Andrew
https://www.flickr.com/photos/leth428 haha I was thinking the same thing.