Electric Snake Scarecrow

Those high-tech scientists at General Electric have solved many problems, but this “Electric Snake” scarecrow wasn’t one of them. Let’s read the press release from 1951: ELECTRIC SNAKE “SHOCKS” ROBINS An “electric snake” keeps marauding robins out of a GE engineer’s garden here. Simple but effective, the “snake” itself consists of two basic parts: a 12 foot light bamboo fishpole and a thin heart-shaped piece of aluminum about 10 inches in diameter. The pole is striped with alternating bands of green and red paint. The head is white with glaring black eyes. What scares the birds away is the fact that the “snake” moves. A clock motor connected to the pole at its balance point keeps it turning continuously. Squirrels, who like strawberries, are unimpressed by the contraption, according to Halsey W. Kline who built the “snake.” Original General Electric News Bureau promotional photograph, September 6 1951. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Talking Scarecrow vintage press photograph 1931

"HEY..Get outta there!"

Genius inventor and ephemeral folk art figure creator comes up with the talking scarecrow.  Imagine one planted every acre instead of pesticides.

Original Press Photograph 1931 Acme New Pictures Collection Jim Linderman

Folk Art Racist Scarecrow Resting Vernacular photograph

Everyone needs a hobby.  I collect snapshots of Scarecrows. Hard-working ephemeral folk art figures now replaced by poison insecticides and factory agriculture.  An easier, more simple time here?  No.  The times were never easy and they never will be.    See MORE at the link HERE

Antique Scarecrow Photographic Essay Ephemeral Folk Art Sculpture at the Farm Collection Jim Linderman

Antique Scarecrow Photographic Essay  Ephemeral Folk Art Figures at the Farm Collection Jim Linderman  19th and early 20 Century snapshots of working dummys!  USE WITH PERMISSION ONLY.  See also the new book THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL for a photograph collection and music book unlike any you have seen.

Antique Female Scarecrow Folk Art collection Jim Linderman

Two creepy men meet the new scarecrow at night.

Snapshot of an antique female scarecrow, circa 1930?  Collection Jim Linderman

Scarecrow from 1939 World's Fair Penelope Shoo Protects New York Wheat Garden

Miss Penelope Shoo. "The Scarecrow of Tomorrow" stands over the only wheat field in New York City.  The wheat field lasted 68 years.  Miss Shoo (as is SHOO, birds…SHOO! ) stood over the field of wheat that Continental Baking and their product Wonder Bread planted for the 1939 World's Fair.  In front of the field was a building designed by Skidmore & Owings. 

Penelope Shoo was created by mannequin maker Jean Spadea, and at least one of her costumes was a fashion design by Hattie Carnegie.  When she was removed (or stolen?) in 1930, folks wondered where Shoo went.  She was STOLEN by pranksters from Columbia University to be used at the Columbia / Princeton football game.  The anonymous thieves returned her, sans arms, to Continental Bakery.  A color film from 1939 which documented Penelope is HERE.

Original snapshot 1939 "Penelope Shoo" collection Jim Linderman
Books by the author available HERE
The Birth of Rock and Roll by the author available HERE

A Real Talking Folk Art Scarecrow Wired for Sound in 1931

A Real Talking Scarecrow  Wired for Sound in 1931!  Original Press Photograph and caption Collection Jim Linderman

Ephemeral Folk Art Figure of the Scarecrow Kind original photograph collection Jim Linderman

Ephemeral Folk Art Figure of the Scarecrow kind original photograph circa 1890 collection Jim Linderman

Scarecrow Bess and Jiggs American Laundry Picnic Campau Lake Michigan 1928

Scarecrow  Bess and Jiggs American Laundry Picnic Campau Lake Michigan 1928 Original shapshot found photograph Collection Jim Linderman

Scarecrow Snapshot 1924 Folk Art Sculpture

Scarecrow and Friend Photograph  Dated on Reverse 1924 Collection Jim Linderman

A Scary Man in a Uniform World War One Scarecrow Collection Jim Linderman

World War One Scarecrow Collection Jim Linderman

Mabel loved a man in a uniform, so when she asked for a photo of her favorite, he of course replied, but it might have taken him a while.  Our World War One Doughboy had already turned his khakis into a scarecrow, thus protecting his sunflowers instead of his countrymen, and as far as I am concerned putting them to darn good work.  I am glad he survived the carnage. 


World War One Scarecrow snapshot, circa 1920  Collection Jim Linderman

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Scarecrow Snapshot

I'd like to have met this fellow.
See his brother at rest HERE.

Anonymous Snapshot circa 1940 Scarecrow Collection Jim Linderman
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Ephemeral Folk Art Figure Photo Fat Scarecrow Resting

Ephemeral Folk Art well-stuffed Figure. Common use of the phrase "ephemeral folk art" derives from the remarkable photography book Ephemeral Folk Figures: Scarecrows, Harvest Figures and Snowmen by Avon Neal and Ann Parker. Published in 1969, the book was the first to illustrate decorative and functional constructions like this fellow. The pair went on to publish numerous photo essay books on other forms of vernacular art. Worth looking for!
Anonymous Snapshot circa 1935 Michigan Collection Jim Linderman

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