via B^2: The Ward-O-Matics posts about a vintage 1966 Fallout Shelter Handbook. And it is f*ing SWEET.
Just look at how happy that family is…
I mean seriously! If I’m not mistaken, the Dad is just kickin’ it… Totally smoking a pipe and joking with the Missus about how she’s always saying that they should spend more time together. “Well honey, now that those Pinko Bastards have brought the apocalypse down on us, we have all the time in the world together!” And dare I forget to mention how lovely those place settings are?
currently playing: Earth Deuley “2 Hours”
Via B^2: We Make Money Not Art presents the ol’ Soviet-era Ministry of Transportation building in Tbilisi, Georgia:
Regine writes:
…the photography brings out the conflict between a symbol of progress and its current state of decay.
But all I can think is: turn-turn-scoot left-turn-scoot left-drop! A giant friggin’ game of Tetris.
Via /.: 23 years ago today, Soviet Missle Commander [tag]Stanislav Petrov[/tag] saved the world by refusing to believe that the United States had launched a concerted nuclear attack against The Mother Country.
Nice going, man.
In a “that’s where I know you from” moment: reading the 28-June cover story in [tag]Seven Days[/tag] (”[tag]Bombs Away[/tag]” by [tag]Cathy Resmer[/tag]), I get to this passage:
Why would he want to live in an underground missile facility? “Who wouldn’t?” asks the cheeky Aussie. “The cool factor is just unbelievable.” Michael spends six weeks each year on the property. During his recent spring stay, he hosted a camera crew from Home and Garden TV.
…and think to myself: Don’t I know this from somewhere? Indeed I did. Back in March I’d stumbled across the listings on MissileBases.com and made special note of the Australian owner of an [tag]Atlas F[/tag] [tagnuclear missile silo[/tag] site looking to develop it into a “M.A.S.H. theme[d]” entertainment venue. Heh. Neat.
Via MeFi: Old [tag]propaganda[/tag] posters about [tag]Stalin[/tag] and the [tag]Soviet[/tag] people. Some choice favorites:
Sorry, no translations. (My Russian is way too rusty and was probably never good enough to catch all of these…)
A. sent this to me a while ago… Long overdue: The Cold War Museum. I love this idea. I can’t think of a better way to honor this twisted historical period (and ethos!) but housing its relics in an indestructible ICBM silo. Spy planes, listening devices, satellites, nuclear warheads, the Berlin Wall, Kruschev’s hat…!
26-04-1986.com: Flash heavy site but full of beautiful (if utterly haunting) images taken in [tag]Chernobyl[/tag] to comemmorate the event. There are some images of [tag]derelict[/tag] [tag]military equipment[/tag] that give me surprisingly more shivers than the images of the empty radioactive orphanage. (At least I assume it’s an orphanage.)
Previously on F_D: 20 Years of Chernobyl
Could this not be the ultimate in Cold War Era Nostalgia:
[tag]Denver[/tag], CO. 210 total acres. Very rare - 1 of only 18 built. Massive 45,000 + sq. ft. of underground floor-space; high chain-link fence around central complex; 2 high capacity deep wells in power dome; 3 missile silos all interconnected by ½ miles of tunnels. Mountain views, just 20 minutes from metropolitan area and international airport. Large capacity elevator intact, to be reconditioned. Under new ownership, massive clean-up and refurbishment underway. Many unique possibilities for commercial or private usage. Serious and capable buyers only.
[...]
[tag]Lewis[/tag], NY. [tag]Atlas F[/tag] site in the [tag]Adirondack Park[/tag] already under development by Australian owner, seeking free-spirited, compatible partner/investor for further development into a unique (M.A.S.H. theme) entertainment venue suitable for dance parties and other profitable commercial uses. Detailed development plans with cost and profit analysis are available for examination.
[...]
[tag]Pulaski[/tag], Indiana. Hardened Underground Communications vault on 5.5 acres (more or less), with frontage on the [tag]Tippecanoe River[/tag]. A 1960’s [tag]nuclear war[/tag]-proof communications center of 8,200 sq. ft. usable floor-space with 24″ thick walls and ceilings, with metal shielding enveloping the entire structure and 2’ to 4’ of earth covering all. Equipped with heavy blast doors, air vents with filter systems and blast valve closure mechanisms, and escape hatch emergency exit. Very large diesel generator in place. Lighting, pumps, heating & cooling and dehumidification, plus electric hoist – mostly operational and ready to use. Original blueprints and maintenance books go with. Many options for home-site, secure storage, or commercial / industrial retrofit. Located 75 miles from Chicago. Video $20
I don’t even know where to begin with how cool that is.
