The proper name for this is "hoodwink." It is, as Edward K noted, used in the initiation ritual in Freemasonry. These days a hoodwink is made of soft, padded cloth. At the time these were made, there were numerous fraternities using them in their imitation of Freemasonry.

Brainier than the Average Bear, XXL.

Overall, color may be preferable. The original of this cartoon, however, was created to be black and white. The outlining and grayscale selection were done with the intention of bringing details to the eye without using color. In my opinion, colorizing this cartoon resulted in something that is not as visually interesting. Additionally, it destroyed the work of the artists who spent their lives developing this style. How disrespectful.

The very presence of this device on the teacher's desk in 19th century schoolhouses was enough to ensure silence from trouble-making students.

Brainier than the Average Bear, XXL

*spews coffee on keyboard*

Silas deserves a T shirt for that!

Lost in the bowels of the Tower of London for centuries and only recently rediscovered, this is the nightstand container used by Henry VIII to keep the royal toenail clippings.

Brainier than the Average Bear, 2XL.

Definitely a poor, but predictable decision. How many excellent college players have gone on to the pros, to find that in that world they don't quite have the edge required to be one of the forever champions? A Rhodes scholarship follows one the rest of their life, pulling their CV directly to the top of the pile. A Rhodes scholar can truly rise to the top. It would be interesting to know--in thirty years--how often this young man thought about this decision with regret. Hopefully, not at all.

Lucky, the instruments are acrylic. At least some of them are not really playing, because the resonance and tone of the the instrument is dependent on the material it is made from, except for electrified string instruments.

This was like something I would see all night if I ate a whole jalapeno pizza and fell asleep listing to Lady Gaga.

People don't buy a Kitchen Aid Artisan-line mixers if all they are doing run-of-the mill cooking for the fam. Anyone who is enough of a cook for one of these would be overjoyed to receive it, all messages aside.

It is an old circumcision hammer. Designed for the nervous mohel-in-training, it would be cocked and placed over the knife and the... ahem... target. When the release was activated, the hammer would strike the top edge of the knife, making the cut quickly and neatly, only rarely resulting in emasculation or the removal of a finger.

Brainier than the Average Bear, XXL.

"I thought it would be grape-flavored!"

The two pieces are not originally a set. The lid is from a common aluminum camp cookware set or "mess kit." These are still available. The bottom is an old enamelware bucket that the lid happens to fit.

Brainier than the Average Bear, 2XL.