Happy Generic Holiday Season!

Whooo! It's that time of year again. Merry Fucking X-Mas.

National Inflatable Week Part Cinq...

National Inflatable Week continues...this week...because it's...National Inflatable Week.

The pic above is the one alluded to in my last post from Atomage Bondage Supplement No.1.

Pneumatic Enclosure

Sexologist Havelock Ellis wrote: "Any restraint upon muscular and emotional activity generally tends to heighten the state of sexual excitement". Many lovers of bondage like to be enclosed in a buoyant form using a rubber or latex suit which is pumped full of air (sometimes water) and the wearer carefully bound including, very often, a form of double enclosure such as the inventive form shown on the right. [see above] Is this, some psychologists claim, a desire to return to security of the womb and warmth and security of the maternal fluids? One of our photographic contributors who enjoys this form of restraint says he doesn't care -- "I just know that afterwards I am beautifully relaxed and at peace with myself and the world -- and it is cheaper than the bottle, psychiatrist's couch or a health farm".

More National Inflatable Week

Pump it up until you can feel it.
Pump it up when you don't really need it.
Out in the fashion show,
down in the bargain bin,
you put your passion out
under the pressure pin.
Fall into submission,
hit-and-run transmission.
No use wishing now for any other sin.

--Elvis Costello, "Pump It Up"

In continued celebration of National Inflatable Week, I bring you another classic inflatable gem from Atomage Bondage Supplement, this time from issue no. 5.

***

And since I was too busy to post for Wednesday's festivities, here's a pic from Atomage Bondage Supplement No.2 and below that a letter to the editor. No date, but based on the advertisements in the mag, I'm guessing its year of publication is 1977.

Blow Up

I was interested to see something in the first Bondage Supplement that I don't think I have ever previously spotted in any other magazine and I have never seen written up in even in the psychology books. Fascinated by the photograph I went right through in the hope of finding a detailed article but no luck. I hope you are going to give more space to the subject in future issues.

I am referring, of course, to that rarest form of out interest -- PNEUMOBONDAGE or 'pneumatic enclosure' as you called it on pages 12 and 13. This is the most satisfying form of total enclosure, giving an astonishing feeling of relaxation impossible with other forms. I was delighted to see you have ladies indulging in this most comfortable (and slimming!) form of bondage. But I want to discover if their motivation is the same as mine. Also, how do they ensure an airtight seal, what form of buoyancy is used -- foot pump or compressed air cylinder? Please let us hear about this special way of bondage.

J.J.

Yes, I amazingly have a [very mangled] copy of Atomage Bondage Supplement No.1 in my possession. Tune in tomorrow to see the pick "J.J." is referring to.

National Inflatable Week Continues...

National Inflatable Week continues. The suit above is a charming match to the very round and very large and very inflated hood from last post.

Below, we have an equally charming inflatable body bag. The delightful decor adds a nice touch. My generation calls it "retro" and "kitschy". Of course, our asses are so pumped up with detached ironic sentiment, we're not allowed to like anything for what it is.

All pictures are from the Atomage Bondage Supplement No. 7, page 17, circa 1970's-ish. Note the charmingly awesome pedantic description from the magazine:

These pictures came to us from Victoria, Australia from 'Skinseal'. It is marvelous to us to note the growing world wide interest in both dressing for pleasure and bondage. The quality and imaginative design of the products, particularly the fascinating total inclosure garments, surely merit the attention of all latex lovers who apply their talents for restrictive purposes to better purpose than Trade Unions!

National Inflatable Week

It's National Inflatable Week! Yay! Huzzah!

Er, not really. I just made that up. But it could be if enough of us spread the word around!

Picture above is from the Atomage Bondage Supplement No. 7, page 17, circa 1970's-ish.

Vintage Gasmask Asbestos Warning!

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a warning against using vintage gas masks which might contain asbestos. The article below and picture above are from this page on the ACCC website.

Consumers have been warned that continuing to use vintage gas masks containing asbestos as breathing apparatus may be dangerous to their health, including a risk of later developing mesothelioma.

"The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has recently completed a product safety survey of vintage gas masks", ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today. "The survey found such masks were available despite a permanent ban.

"The permanent ban on the supply of vintage gas masks containing asbestos has been in place since April 1991, after the discovery of asbestos fibres in the composite filters of some World War II masks.

"The masks are generally retailed in army disposal shops and consist of a full-face shield, hose and a detachable metal canister containing the asbestos filter. Some are also traded on a consumer-to-consumer basis, particularly over the Internet.

"The ACCC believes consumers may be using them as a cheap alternative for a variety of purposes, including sandblasting and while using chemical garden sprays.

"Wholesalers and retailers of gas masks have been reminded of the ban but the ACCC wants to ensure collectors and tradespeople are aware of the potential danger of breathing through such masks.

"Anyone who has an old World War II type gas mask should not use it as a breathing apparatus unless they are confident that it is asbestos-free. [my emphasis]

"The masks can be appropriately disposed of by obtaining asbestos bags* and putting the mask at a local authority approved transfer station, usually located at a local tip. Consumers should check with their council. Consumers concerned about whether their vintage gas mask contains asbestos could arrange for it to be tested at an appropriate facility, although the cost is high at approximately $150. Consumers may prefer to correctly dispose of the masks and buy conventional equipment for their needs.

"Each mask must be individually tested to determine if asbestos is present as the masks do not contain any clear identifying marks indicating the country and year of manufacture. Consumers who bought vintage gas masks and have concerns about safety should consult the retailer".

S65C(c) of the Trade Practices Act 1974 prohibits a corporation from supplying goods in respect of which there is in force a notice imposing a permanent ban on goods.

"The enforcement of product safety standards and bans is a priority for the ACCC in the interest of consumer safety", Mr Samuel said.

*Available from asbestos disposal companies. The masks should be double-bagged before disposal at an approved transfer station or through the asbestos removal company.

Better safe than sorry...