Michael M. Jackman
@michaeljackman.bsky.social
Fiftysomething Detroit dad, husband, copy editor, writer, journalist, still writing a very long but interesting book about Detroit in the 1940s.
Great headline.
November 19, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Great headline.
Watching the episode of classic Ultraman called "Monster Anarchy Zone" and I feel bad for the researchers accidentally sent there, all but one of whom die. What a bad decision.
November 19, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Watching the episode of classic Ultraman called "Monster Anarchy Zone" and I feel bad for the researchers accidentally sent there, all but one of whom die. What a bad decision.
This week in 1953, Detroit’s Department of Street Railways (DSR) announced it would remove from service all but a dozen of its last Peter Witt streetcars. When first introduced by the city railway in 1921, they heralded an advance in transportation in Detroit. (see image)
November 18, 2025 at 3:22 PM
This week in 1953, Detroit’s Department of Street Railways (DSR) announced it would remove from service all but a dozen of its last Peter Witt streetcars. When first introduced by the city railway in 1921, they heralded an advance in transportation in Detroit. (see image)
Every once in a while these old newspaper articles surprise me more than they should.
November 17, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Every once in a while these old newspaper articles surprise me more than they should.
Even the bad old days look good sometimes.
November 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Even the bad old days look good sometimes.
It was pronounced with a regional accent that elided the l and ch: Himma-hoze
November 7, 2025 at 1:23 AM
It was pronounced with a regional accent that elided the l and ch: Himma-hoze
AAAAARRRRRGGGHHHHHH
November 5, 2025 at 8:50 PM
AAAAARRRRRGGGHHHHHH
This week in 1895, the Detroit Free Press declared not just the re-election of Detroit Mayor Hazen S. Pingree, but the most lopsided victory in memory. Pingree captured every ward in the city and won more than twice as many votes as his challenger.
November 5, 2025 at 4:26 PM
This week in 1895, the Detroit Free Press declared not just the re-election of Detroit Mayor Hazen S. Pingree, but the most lopsided victory in memory. Pingree captured every ward in the city and won more than twice as many votes as his challenger.
Trump only continues the steady devaluation of a holiday originally dedicated to World Peace. And why hail "victory"? I have heard "Hail Victory" in the most unsavory place somewhere I am sure.
November 4, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Trump only continues the steady devaluation of a holiday originally dedicated to World Peace. And why hail "victory"? I have heard "Hail Victory" in the most unsavory place somewhere I am sure.
I thought it was so obnoxious today, so I took a picture of it. Guy in a powerchair carefully moved into the bike lane to pass it while I ambled by. And jeez, it was 41 F this a.m., pack it in. Don't nobody want to freeze their azz there. (I was tempted to put a FREE PUMPKINS sign there.)
October 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I thought it was so obnoxious today, so I took a picture of it. Guy in a powerchair carefully moved into the bike lane to pass it while I ambled by. And jeez, it was 41 F this a.m., pack it in. Don't nobody want to freeze their azz there. (I was tempted to put a FREE PUMPKINS sign there.)
This week in 1958, the calm of an autumn afternoon on Detroit’s eastside was shattered when a British delta-wing bomber came hurtling out of the sky, tore through a few houses, and exploded into a ball of fire near the corner of Ashland and Scripps streets.
October 22, 2025 at 4:40 PM
This week in 1958, the calm of an autumn afternoon on Detroit’s eastside was shattered when a British delta-wing bomber came hurtling out of the sky, tore through a few houses, and exploded into a ball of fire near the corner of Ashland and Scripps streets.
When is a ceasefire not a ceasefire?
October 10, 2025 at 11:14 AM
When is a ceasefire not a ceasefire?
This 1940 article describes a car with a refrigerated liquor cabinet in it.
October 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM
This 1940 article describes a car with a refrigerated liquor cabinet in it.
I smell Paris, why, oh why, do I smell Paris
October 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I smell Paris, why, oh why, do I smell Paris
Do you remember
Your President Nixon?
Do you remember
The bills you have to pay?
Or even yesterday?
Your President Nixon?
Do you remember
The bills you have to pay?
Or even yesterday?
October 9, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Do you remember
Your President Nixon?
Do you remember
The bills you have to pay?
Or even yesterday?
Your President Nixon?
Do you remember
The bills you have to pay?
Or even yesterday?
In 1963, the Detroit Bank & Trust deemed its old "indian head" logo outdated and obsolete. Designers sold the institution on a newer, modern logo to replace it.
October 8, 2025 at 5:40 PM
In 1963, the Detroit Bank & Trust deemed its old "indian head" logo outdated and obsolete. Designers sold the institution on a newer, modern logo to replace it.
Starting in 1944, "Blackie" the mynah bird was the official greeter at the Belle Isle Children's Zoo. After a summer when construction crews worked near his perch, his vocabulary changed, and he was retired in 1956.
October 2, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Starting in 1944, "Blackie" the mynah bird was the official greeter at the Belle Isle Children's Zoo. After a summer when construction crews worked near his perch, his vocabulary changed, and he was retired in 1956.
In 1911, a road commissioner was killed when his car overturned on him.
October 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
In 1911, a road commissioner was killed when his car overturned on him.