Random Cuttings - Motoring (1938)

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These cutting are from February 9th 1938. As the number of vehicles on our roads increased during the 1930's so did the need for legistration and control. Since 1925 it had been an offence to be found drunk in charge of any mechanically propelled vehicle on any highway, but no legal drink driving limit was set until 1967. The annual MOT test, which includes specific brake efficiency measurement, was introduced in 1960.

Random Ad - 3D Film (1973)

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If you thought 3D films were something new then you obviously hadn't seen 'Supersonic Super Girls' back in New York in 1973. Google this title and you find a story in the Austin (Texas) Chronicle that it was amongst a pile of 'lost' trash films found in a warehouse in 2001, so you may get to see it yet. 

Random Cutting - Pro-Soviet letter by Sean O'Casey (1939)

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This letter by Irish dramatist Sean O'Casey was published in the Reynold's News dated the 1st October 1939. In August 1939 Stalin's Russia and Hitler's Germany had signed a non-aggression pact and had divided Poland into Soviet and German regions. The USSR would finally join the Allies against Germany in 1941. Sean O'Casey a life long Socialist seems, with hindsight, to have had a terribly naive view of life under Stalin, although it must be admitted that even those who knew what was going on in Russia turned a blind eye after 1941.

Random Cutting - Kennedy on crutches (1961)

June 9th 1961

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It is now common knowledge that John F Kennedy had suffered from back pain since 1938 and normally wore a corset or back brace, but this and other information about his health issues had been kept secret throughout his campaign and election to the White House. JFK also had Addison's disease and hypothyroidism.

Random Ad - Pyrex cookware (1930's)

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Pyrex kitchenware originated in the USA in 1915 and was introduced to the UK under license in the early 1920's. I'm not sure that the Trading Standars mob would be happy with the '3 for the price of 1' claim - 1: the dish with the lid, 2: the dish without the lid and 3: the lid turned upside down.

Random Cutting - Mick Jagger (1979)

4th May 1979

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The Rolling Stones' singer, Mick Jagger had married Nicaraguan born Bianca Pérez-Mora Macias in 1971, but she filed for divorce in 1978 when she accused him of adultery with model Jerry Hall whom he married in 1990. The $1 million settlement was peanuts compared to the one when he split from Jerry Hall in 1999. 

Random Cutting - Escaped Gunman (1958)

July 15th 1958

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James McKensie who was serving a 3 year sentence for armed robbery escaped from Wormwood Scrubs on July 13th 1958 along with 2 other men. I can't find out if he was caught.