In 1609 , Galileo invented the scope . Five minutes later , someone invented the horseshoe - finish - on - the - eyepiece gag . We call these prop - based jokes " hard-nosed jokes" because they require action at law to be put into " recitation . “ The terminal figure also key out them from strictly verbal or intellectual jokes , such as the one about the Grecian Urn . ( What ’s a Grecian Urn , you ask ? Oh , about $ 25 per hour if he ’s union” ¦ . ) Here ’s a quick look at the origins of some of the classic , which never get old if you ’re on the " giving" end " ¦
1. Makin' Whoopee (Cushions)
One boring day in 1930 , employee at Toronto ’s Jem Rubber Company were idly playing around with scrap pieces of gum elastic . One enterprising fellow ( the actual inventor has never been call ) found that by gluing two piece of rubber together at one death and thrust air through them , he could make an entertaining sound . realise the far - reach ramifications of such technology , Jem official felt they might be sitting on a gold rush . They offered to trade their new twist to novelty Martin Luther King Jr. Sam Adams , but he turn them down , saying that the item was far too vulgar . Other companies were patently not as self-respecting . Before long , sales event of the Whoopee Cushion skyrocketed , and citizens no longer had to resort to the hand - under - the - armpit method acting of making disgusting noises .
2. That Itch You’ve Got to Scratch
3. The Joys of Joy Buzzing
4. A Whole New Jar of Snakes
5. The Delicate Art of (Fake) Vomit
6. God Bless Sneezing Powder
