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named Antoninus who ruled from 218 to 222 used to use versions of noted that in the 1920s, then
them to annoy guests who got on his nerves. A 10th-century Arabian decided to try to improve upon
emir also used versions of whoopee cushions made out of animal that design. His “Joy Buzzer” was
bladders to prank his guests. However, the actual whoopee cushion produced through his company,
brand we know today originated in the 1930s in Canada. It was S.S. Adams Co. Production
produced originally by the JEM company beginning in 1930 but was started in 1932 after the process
not named “whoopee cushion” until 1932. Before that, it went by of creating and patenting a proto-
“poo-poo cushion” and other names. type began in 1928.
Another classic gag gift is the joy buzzer/hand buzzer. Oddly, it
is called a gift, but it does not usually change hands. Generally, the Collecting Vintage and
original purchaser Antique Gag Gifts
simply wears it Since gag gifts of today are
Novelty gag gifts grouping and shakes the quite unlike those of years gone
including Adam’s Nuts hand of someone by, collecting and preserving
“snake in can,” cigar fan, else with it on. vintage and antique gag gifts can
and hand buzzer
That second per- be a lot of fun. You can show
son then receives them off at parties or use them to
the “gift” of a prank your friends. When look-
mild buzzing or ing for gag gifts made in the
vibrating sensa- United States from approxi-
tion on his or her mately 1950 onward, you can 1960s Dehydrated Water gag gift.
hand. One of the find them almost anywhere. This joke in a can is made by Bernard
earliest versions Online shopping, frequenting who, oddly enough, is a legitimate
of it was called antiques and novelty shops, and food company.
“The Zapper.” visiting flea markets can be great
It actually hurt ways to start. If you are looking for gag gifts made in other parts of the
when used on world, online shopping is probably your best bet. You may stumble
someone. Soren across such gag gifts in shops here in the U.S. Searching for them lets
Sorensen Adams you enjoy the thrill of the hunt and the thrill of the gag.

Jessica Kosinski has been a freelance writer specializing in writing short articles for 15 years. She is also an avid collector of both antique books and Star Wars memorabilia. Although she is not
in the antiques industry professionally, she has learned a lot about antiques over the years by periodically helping out at her mom’s antiques shop in Greenville, NH. She currently balances
maintaining the antiques shop’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MallofNE, and working on various freelance writing assignments. She can be reached at dementorskiss77@yahoo.com.

Comedy Group Capitol Steps to Shut Down After 39 Years

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Capitol Steps, “We’re kind of in the same boat with
the popular satirical performance group an awful lot of entertainers and live
known for putting the “mock in performance groups that just can’t survive
democracy,” announced on January 13, without shows and income coming in,”
2021, it will be shutting down this year. says Eaton. “So that’s why we had to make
“Like many in the entertainment the tough decision.”
business, we simply weren’t built to The group will keep its office open
survive going a year or more without live through at least the spring, according to
performances,” reads a statement tweeted Eaton. CDs are still available through the
by the Capitol Steps account. group’s website, and Eaton says there’s no
In its nearly four decades of shows, the plan yet to shut down any social media
comedy troupe’s wild takes on modern accounts.
history and politics have been described as The news was met with sadness by fans
“a machine gun of comedy,” the “real on Twitter. It comes amid the second
thing” when it comes to satire, and a impeachment vote for President Donald
“wonky-tonk geek chorus at the wings of Trump, a week after insurrectionists
our political theater.” The group famously stormed the Capitol, and amid mounting
got its start in 1981, when a group of anxiety as Washingtonians prepare for
Senate staffers staged a satirical performance at a congressional potential violence around President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
office party. Based on the reactions, it’s clear Washington could use a laugh.
Over its tenure, the comedy group, comprised primarily of former Eaton says that there’s no ruling out that the group could make a
congressional staff, went on to host live performances, tours, and make return when live performances are allowed in D.C., but it’s unlikely the
appearances on national radio and television. group will make a resurgence.
“Who would have dreamed that a Senate office Christmas party, 39 “It’s just something that we just
years ago—much like everything else in D.C.—could have spun can’t plan, and we don’t want to make
painfully out of control and given us a livelihood for all these years and any plans for an uncertainty,” Eaton
given some folks a lot of laughs,” says Mark Eaton, a manager with the says. “We’re not saying a resurrection
Capitol Steps. “We appreciate everybody that ever came to a show or isn’t impossible, but it’s definitely a
bought a ticket, or the corporations and the associations that hired us long shot.”
over the years. All those folks were very integral to our success.”
As many arts groups and venues did, Capitol Steps paused its live
performances and tours when the pandemic began in March and has The Capitol Steps put out several albums over
the years, its latest being The Lyin’ Kings. To
not returned to stages since.
see this and others, visit ttps://www.capsteps.com/
22 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles