"Some press inquiries have been very odd. … Another, equally enthusiastically and equally unlucky, asked whether a census had been taken of the rats in Great Britain, and if so what was the result. A third, with visions of something really new in agricultural journalism, said that he was thinking of doing a story with a cow as heroine, and did I know of any instances of cows saving human life in any way, putting out fires, or pulling people out of the water?
Then there was a very modern young woman with a Hollywood complex who rushed in one morning and shouted: “Say, just what is this agriculture racket and how do I get the low-down on it?”
It's not often that, in 2024, you sit in your South London house and open your favourite Six Things newsletter and are greeted (eventually, when you make it to Thing 6, because there's quite a lot to distract you first, in the best way possible) with a picture of the train that you took to school in the 1990s in Brisbane, Australia. Love it.
In the spirit of the telephone reference desk, I recommend "Press Officer Please" by F. Howard Lancum, 1946. It's a hoot.
For example:
"Some press inquiries have been very odd. … Another, equally enthusiastically and equally unlucky, asked whether a census had been taken of the rats in Great Britain, and if so what was the result. A third, with visions of something really new in agricultural journalism, said that he was thinking of doing a story with a cow as heroine, and did I know of any instances of cows saving human life in any way, putting out fires, or pulling people out of the water?
Then there was a very modern young woman with a Hollywood complex who rushed in one morning and shouted: “Say, just what is this agriculture racket and how do I get the low-down on it?”
Sold!
Reminded me of this: https://boingboing.net/2018/01/26/grace-notes.html (a genius 404 page)
Pretty sure I featured that in Six Things quite recently!
Oh good call! Maybe I saw it on that 🤫🫠🫣
😬
So pleasant to read something away from the horrors of today. Thanks for the lift.
The Toronto Public Library still has a phone line called Answerline, which is very well used. It is not longer staffed by Librarians however.
Killer set of Things! 👏👏👏
Cracking!
Enjoyed Six Things sitting in the Sunday sunshine 🌞 thank you Rebekah
Hard to pick a favourite from this week's line-up, but think the record covers snatch it.
Thanks Lev - the record covers were hilarious. I also enjoyed the date quiz. Here's another one:
https://www.economist.com/interactive/dateline-history-quiz-game/quiz/2024-10-25/
It's not often that, in 2024, you sit in your South London house and open your favourite Six Things newsletter and are greeted (eventually, when you make it to Thing 6, because there's quite a lot to distract you first, in the best way possible) with a picture of the train that you took to school in the 1990s in Brisbane, Australia. Love it.
Omg the weird little guys, I love them!!