[juman231]

Just read it this morning, and thought It'd be a good article to share.
 
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/how-snake-oil-got-a-bad-rap/

 

[cifani090]

Great article

 

[markkr]

Nice

 

[juman231]

Id think this would attract more interest than it had... so a shameless bump.

 

[Lazarus Short]

Great find - thanks for sharing!

 

[sidel]

Interesting article.  Thanks for the link.

 

[Ikelmonster]

Interesting, I had no idea that snake oil was originally a useful product and only came to be associated with quackery once shisters tried to play off of it. Stories like these from the crazy, lawless past of the Western US are always great

 

[juman231]

Me neither. and until now, my assumption was that the phrase snake oil came from people selling snake oils as if it had any positive effects...only to find out that it did. -_-
 
 

 

[Uncle Erik]

Great article! I really enjoy the "medicine show" angle with performers and shills.

I find the modern equivalent very amusing, too.