LIFE Wrecks

LIFE and Google teamed up not too long ago to create a nifty online photo database of LIFE photographs, 97% of which were never previously released to the public. It's really fascinating stuff, and I highly recommend you do a search for "cake" there the next time you're bored. Most are gorgeous creations that show that cake art has a long and rich history, but a few are a bit more...interesting:

Good to know that handwriting and spacing were an issue even back in 1951. It only looks misspelled, though; that's just a scrunched 'm' in 'recommissioned'.

This one is just odd:

What IS this? Do you suppose it's made of large donuts? And the ferns - why?
(UPDATE: Mystery solved : it's a "baumkuchen". Thanks, guys!)

You'll "tank" me for this next one:

See, this is why you don't let guys cut the cake. The archive is full of men cutting cakes with swords, too. [eye roll] Fellas, it's a TANK. Do you really need to "man it up" by cutting it with your rifle?

This one is actually a "dog cake", but I had to include it for the "oh-no-they-di'in't!" factor (Note: put down the coffee and brace yourself):

[dry-heaving] Why? Why did someone feel THIS was deserving of preservation on film? WHY?!?

And finally, a modern-day Wreck:

"Oprah? Is that you?"

All images courtesy of the LIFE photo archive. Thanks to Becca B. for finding Oprah's head and Jessica T. for the doggie Wreck.

Voting Update: This One's For John

Greeting, Wreckies! (Yep, I've upgraded you from "henchpeople". You're welcome.)

It has come to my attention that there's a bit of controversy brewing over at The Weblog Awards in regards to the number of votes Cake Wrecks is receiving there. Why? Well, I think this has something to do with it:

Yes, within mere hours of my post asking you to vote, Wrecks was catapulted into a hefty lead as thousands of you did exactly that. However, what I see as an outpouring of loving support from you loyal readers others see as possible fraud. Apparently there are those who find it hard to believe that a goofy cake blog could garner such support - so much so that there is now a discussion on TWA's boards where accusations are flying hot n' heavy. (Although I must say that TWA moderator Sean is handling it extremely well.)

Now, personally this little "issue" doesn't bother me. I know that about 48,000 of you read this blog every single work day, and since The Weblog Awards allows you to vote once a day those numbers are not unreasonable. However, my darling, dear husband is, shall we say, "affronted". He seems to see this as a point of honor which must be defended. How? By doing it again, of course!

That's right, so in case you haven't already, please, for the sake of my dear affronted hubby John, go vote again for Cake Wrecks. Let's show those negative-Nancy-nincompoops that it doesn't take a hacker or automated scamming whichydoodles to get a landslide victory at The Weblog Awards; it just take a kick-a$$ blog audience. This is the last day of voting, so let's go out with a bang, shall we?

To kick a$$, CLICK HERE.

Oh, and not to beat a dead horse or anything, but could one of you nominate Wrecks in the more appropriate category of "best humor blog" or "best new blog" over at the Bloggies? Nominations close today at 10pm EST. Thanks!