Looking at these drawings it makes one wonder if these phrenologists based their assumptions off the work of cartoonists and how they depict the targets of satire. Which seems pretty conclusive since we all know cartooning is the ultimate in thoroughly tested scientific study!
Fun stuff today. Pseudoscience looks so icky today, but it's important to remember (as these show) that lots of powerful people believed this, and not only that, but they took the ball and ran with it, spreading these insidious ideas at the speed of print.
Phrenology may be bad science but it does explain Donald Trump's combover.
And his spray tan?
Looking at these drawings it makes one wonder if these phrenologists based their assumptions off the work of cartoonists and how they depict the targets of satire. Which seems pretty conclusive since we all know cartooning is the ultimate in thoroughly tested scientific study!
You should follow the link back to book. Dozens of similar images. A cartoonist treasure trove.
I definitely will. It's like a very twisted collection of Chester Gould drawings! Thanks!
I wonder what the phrenologists would make of Dick Tracy’s profile?
Fun stuff today. Pseudoscience looks so icky today, but it's important to remember (as these show) that lots of powerful people believed this, and not only that, but they took the ball and ran with it, spreading these insidious ideas at the speed of print.
Still too much pseudoscience floating around these days
Even one single iota is too much! We have less of it than a hundred years ago, but we should have virtually none by now.
Nothing can explain that.
This is fascinating - thanks for sharing Peter!
You’re welcome, Martha. You should follow the link to view the entire book. It’s filled with images. It was a challenge to pick a few for the post.