D.I.Y. Everything
Skillshare™ but for normies in the 1990's
In an age where information and access to learning is almost limitless (and often free), it’s a little hard to imagine a time when this sort of access was not only hard to come by, but also could be very expensive. I know for myself, Youtube and various forum sites over the years have provided me with knowledge and techniques I would have spent a lifetime gathering just a few decades ago, but being alive during the rise of the Internet Age has also exposed many issues and growing pains.
I love seeing pre-internet how-to videos. For a company or individual to write, produce, and distribute a guide on how to do anything took so much more work than it does today. So much so that I don’t think the industry quite took off before the dawn of video sites like Youtube or Blip.tv (defunct). The rise of these sites coincided with the lowering prices of fully digital video equipment.
I do think this left a gap in the pre-internet video market that was often filled by scams. With the right equipment or access to funds to rent, an individual or company could shill for anything. Real estate, shady investments, timeshares, supper clubs, the list goes on forever, but these are the kinds of stuff I see the most. Everyone in a pressed suit on video looked very professional and convincing, for a time.
If I picked up every investment guide or real estate tape I come across (often unopened), there would be no time for any other kinds of content for this blog. Just an unending amount of well dressed dudes on camera trying to get you to invest in whatever scheme they had going on in the early 90s. It would be very boring.
However, not every how-to video is a scam. Many tapes I find these days were pack-ins with a product, such as the Century Arc Welding tape I have for you this week. These would be available as an add on when purchasing a product or in cases of heavy or intricate machinery, required viewing either for safety or proper operation. In fact, only one tape here seems like a scam, and of course it’s the real estate investment themed video, which I’ve put at the end of my list (it has a vibe though).
Just like every week where I gather a handful (or armful) of tapes to share with y’all, there’s always something interesting about each one. From meemaw tai chi to the intricacies of putting up wallpaper, we are covering the full gamut of how-to this week, so let’s get right into the tapes!
Tai Chi For Seniors
1993 | Runtime 60 Minutes
DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR SENIORS
Better Than Aerobics
Tai Chi strengthens and relaxes you
Specials Exercises That May Relieve Symptoms
Increase your strength and endurance
Acupressure Points Also Taught
Learn to reduce stress and boost your vitality
Fun To Do
Only ten easy moves in our 4 minute style
How To Weld Using A Century Arc Welder
1991 | Runtime 11 Minutes
Passing On Your Legacy
1997 | Runtime 16 Minutes
Why protecting your estate is important today The estate protection process is a means to a great end. An end that's about the people we love and our deeply held beliefs. It's about finances, but it also addresses the less tangible gifts we have to bestow: values; integrity; love; kindness; justice. Passing on your Legacy...Why protecting your estate is important today takes a close look at four families and how planning to protect their estate helped them. Through their stories we see that estate protection: • Gives freedom to focus energy on people we love. • Can save a family farm, continuing a legacy. Uncovers ways to be fair and just to children and a spouse in remarriage. Enables providing an education to children. When we measure our estates' in more than just dollars, we find that all of us have great gifts to bestow. Produced by Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL), "Passing on your Legacy" is a main component of the branch program Passing on your Legacy... Why protecting your estate is important today and of The Estate Protection Record Keeper, a direct-to-member benefit. AAL is 1.7 million Lutherans joined together for insurance, investment, educational and volunteer opportunities. We are pleased to provide this program as part of our commitment to improving the lives of AAL members and their communities.
U-Do It Yourself Wallpaper Video Guide
1989 | Runtime 1 Hour
THIS MAKES IT EASY FOR THE BEGINNER TO WALLPAPER LIKE A PRO! This is the most important tool you could have, when planning to Wallpaper! Save your valued dollars by doing-it-yourself! Easy to follow step by Step instructions Learn Trade Secrets- Where to start. How to use the tools you'll be using. Prep and fix holes in walls. Pasting and trimming wallpaper. Cut around windows and doors. Paper archways, ceilings, soffits and all types of corners. Cover switch plates the easy way! Remove old wallcoverings. Hanging borders Explains in detail (Matches) Straight across match- Drop and Random match.
Aleene's Techniques For Embellishing Fabric
1990 | Runtime 25 Minutes
Carleton H Sheets Quick Start!
1998 | Runtime 90 Minutes
In this video program, you'll "eavesdrop" on Carleton and learn:
How to use the newspaper to spot obvious opportunities;
What "tools" you'll want with you at your kitchen table or desk;
What message to leave on a seller's answering machine to get anxious callbacks;
Exactly what to say to sellers when they answer the phone (so you'll immediately sound like a pro);
What to look for as you drive neighborhoods looking for bargains; • How to present a painless and safe offer;
How to analyze a property (without physically seeing it) to determine if you should even go and look at it;
How your entire home study course can best help you achieve your personal and financial goals!
Well, that’s it for this week! I hope you enjoyed the tapes! If you’re looking for more, please check out my page on Archive.org for the full list of digitized media. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message right here or drop a comment below. If you haven’t already, please check out this Questar released box set of National Part Documentaries or any of my other previous posts here. Thanks so much for checking out this week’s edition of Diptych!
See you soon!
—Forrest
"meemaw tai chi"