The Business of Pre-Beatlemania

What hasn't been written about the Beatles? One of the items on display in the touring Beatles exhibit featured at Davenport's Putnum Museum earlier this year is one of two known business cards of Beatle manager Brian Epstein. While the front side is very modestly designed - a few months before their iconic logo was developed, the back side was signed by all four Beatle members at the time.

On the back side of the business card John Lennon scribbled "Best Wishes" and signed his name. George Harrison and Paul McCartney signed too. The Beatles drummer at the time, Pete Best also penned the card's back. Best was dismissed as the Beatles drummer by Brian Epstein on August 16, 1962. Two days later, Ringo Starr joined the group and the rest is Beatlemania history.

This Corvair is Safe Even At Zero Speed

A 1960s era Chevrolet Corvair slowly sinks into a gravel parking lot in Waterloo, Iowa. The owner intends to restore the car but the timeline on his project seems to have found mission creep. Corvairs were called 'Unsafe at Any Speed' by Ralph Nader for issues related to swing axle suspension.

While other autos of that era had the same suspension mechanisms, the Corvair became the poster child for a popular car with alleged poor engineering. More surprising was the positioning of the gas tank ahead of the driver. Meanwhile the engine was located where trunks are normally placed - like VW Bugs. In the 1960s people were drawn to the car's unique looks and speed. Today the Corvair is an icon of the era and continues to draw thousands of fans to auto clubs.