We all enjoy a good laugh, especially when we’re not the ones being pranked. In the late 19th century and early 20th, people celebrated April Fools’ Day with postcards. Without today’s communication options, postcards were a good medium – simple and inexpensive. It was easy to share a joke or an artistic drawing. Photography was primitive in black and white. Colored illustrations captured the spirit of the holiday.
BBC’s Spaghetti Tree
Pranksters often turn to mass media to spread their April Fools’ Day fun. One classic occurred in 1957, when the BBC aired a film showing workers harvesting spaghetti from trees. The announcer credited a mild winter in the Alps and the elimination of the “spaghetti weevil” for a bumper crop. Viewers were so convinced by the broadcast many called the station. They were eager to learn where to buy their own spaghetti plants!
Google’s Announcement Thought a Joke
In 2004 when Google announced Gmail people were skeptical. They were offering an unheard amount of memory free. But it was true! It’s not surprising that people were skeptical, they had a history of pulling April Fool’s pranks.
The Goggle Prank That Was
In 2000 on April 1st, they announced the Mentalplex. A system to remove the need for typing your search inquiry. You’d place your head on the “Mentalplex Circle” and it would read your mind. If someone was foolish enough to try it, a message “April Fools’ appeared. Amazingly we now think nothing of saying our thoughts out loud.
Movie Scene Today’s Reality
A scene from the 1986 Star Trek movie comes to mind. Crew members Scotty and Dr. McCoy are transported to a 1980’s era office. They need to use a desktop computer. They tried to talk to the computer – nothing. One of them spotted the mouse. It was attached with a cord. They picked it up and spoke. But of course, nothing happened a second time either, but it does today.
I wonder if this generation would think it as funny as we did back then? I’m sure for different reasons. Maybe someday the Mentalplex in some form will exist. But until then beware of Google’s April 1st announcements.
April Fool’s Paper Traditions
It’s fascinating to see the role paper has always played on April Fools’ Day. From handmade signs, postcards to modern card makers on Etsy. None in my collection yet but maybe someday.
In France, people traditionally stick paper fish on others’ backs. Colorful pieces, often handmade. Postcards featuring fish with flowers have also been popular. It’s April Fish Day. Practiced in Italy, Belgium, and French speaking Switzerland and Canada too.
A theme on several old postcards was paper notes pinned to someone’s back. Popular notes read, “Not a Fool” or “Kick Me”.
In grade school you had to be careful of anyone touching your back. Tape worked and was much easier than pinning.
A popular prank on Scotland’s Huntigowk Day involved a written message delivered by hand. Once delivered the person opening would silently read the message (see the box). Then they’d send the gowk (Scottish for cuckoo/fool) on with the same message to a new location. Heaven knows how long they would pull it off!
Reflections
Do you enjoy pulling pranks on April 1st? Is the idea of sending an April Fools’ Day card new to you? Let’s hear from whoever has sent one or would. My mind is starting to spin some ideas. Share any paper pranks or ideas.
Staying Connected
If you like my holiday perspective, feel free to subscribe to this blog. I love finding paper and friendship connections to share with you each month.
To stay in touch with loved ones, check out my Etsy shop. Unique cards handcrafted by me for different occasions in your life. If you have a special need, you can always message my Paper Crafted Bliss Etsy shop.
My Facebook page shares my journey with paper and people. Thank you for reading to the end. And watch your back April Fool’s Day!
To see the TV Spaghetti Tree on YouTube or read more about the Google hoaxes use these links:
Paper Crafted Bliss 