An encyclopedia of once-common things passing us by.

(You can buy the lovely book version too.)

 

 

Bitchy Bluestocking: in defense of body hair

Sherry, aka @rutila or Bitchy Bluestocking, defended body hair at the debate that was held at Word last Thursday. She, like all my other opponents, made a formidable case. Nothing discussed in OBSOLETE will ever be completely obsolete, of course. The book might’ve been titled “Almost Obsolete.” It covers ideas and objects that are the latest things to become old fashioned—and some of those things, I’d argue, I think may never cycle back into style.

For the hair debate, my side of the argument hinged on young people (even kids) getting laser hair removal, which can result in low hair growth for life. I talk about this in OBSOLETE; I also quote Wanda’s European Skin Center’s site, which offers “virgin waxing for children 8 years old and up who have never shaved before. Virgin hair can be waxed so successfully that growth can be permanently stopped in just 2 to 6 sessions. Save your child a lifetime of waxing… and put the money in the bank for her college education instead!”

This 1977 patent, which was accompanied by this chart, is discussed in OBSOLETE. Pourquoi? Porque I talk about how combovers are becoming obsolete. Honestly, I think this entry is one of the farthest reaches in the books; it’s one of a couple subjects that I think probably have more to do with style than with changes or behaviors that have been brought about because of technology, or because of what we think is progress. VCRs, for example, probably won’t ever make a real come back. I guess what I’m saying is that I think that combovers actually could cycle back into popularity, if only because it was never really a style to begin with. It was lack of style, even—and stylish people so often often aim for that casual I-never-think-about-my-looks look. Maybe when today’s hipsters start going bald, they’ll sport combovers, but in an ironic way.

[via ilovecharts via powlsy via cultrvultr]

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OBSOLETE CONTEST SUBMISSION DAY 2: The Banana Clip


“While the scrunchy apparently has a deal with the devil to be immortal, the banana clip has gone peacefully into the night.  That hinged claw saw me through a crunch or two for sure. All those times when I needed my hair out of my eyes to study, old banana was there for me.  When I needed to sweep up my hair in a hurry before a night out, that clip helped me achieve new hieghts in glamour.  With just one snap, an exotic cascade of curls gave me the confidence to get out on that dance floor. And when night turned into day, I found comfort in knowing I could awake, not have to do my hair, and go out for a nice after party taylor ham egg and cheese….gladiator hair in tact. What is a girl to do now days when the need arises to sweep up that hair and get on out there? Sure she can scrounge around for a scrunchy but nothing beats the full on faux hawk look achieved with one giant claw.  Maybe the banana clip has become extinct only here in Brooklyn? I plan on spring break in Texas and hold out hope that someone, somewhere still has one for sale.”

—Lisa Bottone, Brooklyn, NY

(Click her for contest information)

Obsolete: hair down there. Yuh huh.

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