[Ads-l] propeller beanie

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

JL posted an April 27, 1948 citation containing the phrase "atomic
whirling propeller beanie hat". Here is an April 13, 1948 citation
with the phrase "beanie skull cap with a propeller on the top".

This might be the earliest description published in a newspaper. But
this description did not provide a compact name like: "propeller
beanie", "propeller cap", "prop beanie", "beanie 'copter", "propeller
hats", "helicopter hats" and many others which appeared subsequently
in newspapers and magazines.

Date: April 13, 1948
Newspaper: Somerset Daily American
Newspaper Location: Somerset, Pennsylvania
Article: Impressions Here and There
Quote Page 3, Column 6
Database: Newspapers.com
https://www.newspapers.com/image/509997763/?terms=propeller&match=1

[Begin excerpt]
IMPRESSIONS HERE and THERE
LIKE A HELICOPTER is small Jack Nicholson, who wears a "beanie" skull
cap with a propeller on the top which whirls when he runs or when the
wind blows. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Nicholson.
[End excerpt]

Garson

On Mon, Feb 9, 2026 at 2:18 PM Ben Zimmer
<00001aae0710f4b7-dmarc-request at listserv.uga.edu> wrote:
>
> Coincidentally, Ben Yagoda has a Substack post today about beanies,
> propeller and otherwise.
>
> https://benyagoda.substack.com/p/beanie-baby
>
> On Sat, Feb 7, 2026 at 1:52 PM Jonathan Lighter <
> 00001aad181a2549-dmarc-request at listserv.uga.edu> wrote:
>
> > FWIW, this is one geezer who's never heard "helicopter beanie."
> >
> > 1948 _Jackson [Mich.] Citizen Patriot_ (May 20) 27 [GenealogyBank] : HEY
> > KIDS ! GET YOUR DR. PEPPER HELICOPTER BEANIE AND 6 BOTTLES OF DR. PEPPER
> > all for 67c
> >
> > JL
> >
> > On Sat, Feb 7, 2026 at 12:29 PM Jeff Prucher <
> > 000000b93183dc86-dmarc-request at listserv.uga.edu> wrote:
> >
> > >  That Fancyclopedia article is quite a read -- I was not aware of the
> > > direct relationship between fandom and "Beany and Cecil". The world is a
> > > very strange place (thank goodness).
> > > The earliest references I can find in the fanzines are for "helicopter
> > > beanie", starting in 1950:
> > > Summer 1950Rapp, ArthurTimewarp #6unp. (7th page, counting the
> > > cover)Incidentally, I hear George Young is preparing a clockwork
> > mechanism
> > > so that his helicopter beanie will revolve even indoors at future cons.
> > >
> > https://www.fanac.org/fanzines/Time_Warp/timewarp_6_rapp_1950-su_saps_12.pdf
> > > The earliest "propeller beanie" I can find is from 1953, which is well
> > > after Jon's ad.
> > > March 1953Science Fantasy Bulletin (v. 2, no. 1, #13)Calkins, Gregg
> > > (letter)p. 41 With which I’ll quit, leaving you with only the
> > philosophical
> > > -- “Old faneds never die, theyjust propellor-beanie away.”
> > > The two phrases seem to exist in somewhat free variation.
> > > Jesse, these might be worth considering for HD/SF at some point.
> > > Jeff
> > >
> > >     On Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 05:43:33 AM PST, Jesse Sheidlower <
> > > jester at panix.com> wrote:
> > >
> > >  This is said to have been invented in 1947 among science-fiction fans:
> > >
> > > https://fancyclopedia.org/wiki/Propeller_Beanie
> > >
> > > Jesse Sheidlower
> > >
> > > On Sat, Feb 07, 2026 at 08:28:20AM -0500, Jonathan Lighter wrote:
> > > > Not in OED.
> > > >
> > > > I always wanted one of these, but never got one. (Instead I had a
> > beanie
> > > > that blew bubbles. It was OK.) They came with one, two, or an excessive
> > > > three propellers.  Beany on the TV show "Time for Beany" wore one.
> > > >
> > > > >From Newspapers.com:
> > > >
> > > > 1948 _Fremont [Neb.] Guide & Tribune_ (Apr. 27) 11: Join The Atomic
> > > > Club...wear the atomic whirling propeller beanie hat for boys and
> > girls.
> > > > Just walk along and the propellers whirl...ready to take off at a
> > moments
> > > > [sic] notice! 49c.
> > > >
> > > > Etc., etc.
> > > >
> > > > 2025 _ Kearney (Neb.) Hub_ (Sept. 13) A8: Marvin was known for riding
> > > > bicycles backward on the handlebars, wearing a propeller beanie to
> > > > embarrass his kids, and attempting to teach every grandchild to do a
> > > > handstand.
> > > >
> > > > Hey, kids !! Still Available Online !!!  But Not For 49c. !!!!
> > > >
> >
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
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