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Stories

  • Article

The life and death of Tamagotchi and the virtual pet

Discover how the 1990s craze for Tamagotchis became a flood of robotic and virtual pets, sending their owners on an emotional rollercoaster ride.

  • Article

The cures and demons of sleep paralysis

Discover the murky past of sleep paralysis, the terrifying disorder once associated with demonic possession

  • Article

Dial ‘S’ for sex

In pre-internet days, phone boxes became a patchwork of ‘tart cards’ offering sexual services. Find out about the clandestine world they hint at.

All stories (3)

Images

  • A patient wonders where he should 'cough up' (his spittle); the doctor responds that if he means money, then into his hand. Process print after J-A. Faivre, 1902.
  • A customer at a pharmacy makes a verbal gaffe when asking for iodine. Colour photomechanical reproduction of a lithograph, c. 1900.
  • Two men share a joke about leeches in front of a pharmacy window. Coloured pen and ink drawing by Blondeau.
  • A small child attempts to ask a pharmacist for some ipecacuanha, but only succeeds in babbling excrementally. Colour photomechanical reproduction of a lithograph, c. 1900.
  • A pharmacist and his friend discuss the new tax on medicine; with four other scenes. Photomechanical reproduction of a wood engraving by H. Maigrot.
  • A fat friar sitting on an open fireplace and frying a drumstick. Etching by Charles West Cope.
  • As sure as [eggs] are [eggs,] Bird's concentrated egg powder is unrivalled / Alfred Bird & Sons.
  • The wife of the Prime Minister (Kralahom) of Siam (Thailand). Photograph by John Thomson, 1865.
  • The wife of the Prime Minister (Kralahom) of Siam (Thailand). Photograph by John Thomson, 1865.
  • A shark chasing a small fish; a 'Stop AIDS' advertisement. Lithograph by L. Drewinski, 1997.
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Catalogue

All works (153)