Thursday, 12 March 2026

1975, Belgian Comics: Archie Cash, Le Déserteur de Toro-Toro

In 1975, the third album, "Le Déserteur de Toro-Toro" ("The Toro-Toro Deserter"), was released in the comic series Archie Cash. The series was created by cartoonist William Tai, known as Malik, with scripts by Jean-Marie Brouyère, Terence (Thierry Martens) and Mythic (Jean-Claude Smit-le-Bénédicte). It was serialised in the weekly magazine Spirou from 23 September 1971 to 1 December 1987, and later published as 15 albums by Dupuis between 1973 and 1988.

Archie Cash is an adventurer who lives in tropical regions, where he fights against tyrannical regimes. Cash is a former lieutenant who deserted from the army of the Republic of Toro-Toro after the country descended into dictatorship.

"Le Déserteur de Toro-Toro" cover

No 3 "Le Déserteur de Toro-Toro"
- full colour
- publisher: Dupuis
- Dutch title: "De deserteur van Toro-Toro"
- never published in English
- drawings by Malik (William Tai)
- story by Jean-Marie Brouyère

The main characters in this story are Archie Cash, Governor Juarez, Colonel Achen, Helena Juarez, Lorosa, El Tuerto, Animoso, 

Archie Cash
Helena Juarez, Governor Juarez and Colonel Achen

Synopsis
During the carnival celebrations in the Republic of Toro-Toro, the people rise up against Governor Juarez. His army commander, Colonel Achen - who is in reality the power behind the weak Juarez - is determined to crush the rebellion at all costs. However, Lieutenant Archie Cash refuses to carry out Achen’s orders...

Colonel Achen
Helena Juarez and Archie Cash

Trivia

  • Archie Cash is explicitly modelled on the American actor Charles Bronson.
  • The story is divided into two parts: "Le Déserteur de Toro-Toro" ("The Toro-Toro Deserter") and "Face à Animoso" ("Against Animoso").
  • The album also includes the short story "Autour d’un cigarillo" ("Around a Cigarillo").
El Tuerto, Lorosa and Archie Cash
Animoso

Cars

  • Land-Rover Series II
  • 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible
Land-Rover Series II
1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Tuesday, 10 March 2026

1974, Nobel Prizes (Oslo, Norway)

The Nobel Prize in Physics: Martin Ryle (UK) and Antony Hewish (UK)

For their pioneering research in radio astrophysics: Ryle for his observations and inventions, in particular of the aperture synthesis technique, and Hewish for his decisive role in the discovery of pulsars.

Martin Ryle
Antony Hewish

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry: Paul John Flory (USA)

For his fundamental achievements, both theoretical and experimental, in the physical chemistry of the macromolecules.

Paul John Flory

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: Albert Claude (Belgium), Christian de Duve (UK / Belgium) and George Emil Palade (Romania / USA)

For their discoveries concerning the structural and functional organization of the cell.

Albert Claude
Christian de Duve
George Emil Palade

The Nobel Prize in Literature

Eyvind Johnson (Sweden) for a narrative art, far-seeing in lands and ages, in the service of freedom.
Harry Martinson (Sweden) for writings that catch the dewdrop and reflect the cosmos.

Eyvind Johnson
Harry Martinson

The Nobel Peace Prize

Seán MacBride (France / Ireland) for his efforts to secure and develop human rights throughout the world.
Eisaku Satō (Japan) for his contribution to stabilize conditions in the Pacific rim area and for signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Seán MacBride
Eisaku Satō

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel: Gunnar Myrdal (Sweden) and Friedrich von Hayek (Austria)

For their pioneering work in the theory of money and economic fluctuations and for their penetrating analysis of the interdependence of economic, social and institutional phenomena.

Gunnar Myrdal
Friedrich von Hayek

Sunday, 8 March 2026

1973, Designs: Cars, furniture, electronics, clothes III

Coggiola Sylvia GT
- Designed by Trevor Fiore, Italy, 1973
- Built by Carrozzeria Coggiola, Beinasco, Turin, Italy, 1973
- Based on the Opel GT

Coggiola Sylvia GT
Coggiola Sylvia GT
Coggiola Sylvia GT

Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Drophead Coupé
- Designed and built by Pietro Frua, Turin, Italy, 1973
- Based on the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI

Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Drophead Coupé
Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Drophead Coupé
Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Drophead Coupé

Togo Seating Group
- Designed by Michel Ducaroy, France, 1973
- Manufactured by Ligne Roset, France, 1973

Togo Seating Group
Togo Seating Group
Togo Seating Group

Uchiwa Wall Lamp
- Designed by Ingo Maurer, West Germany, 1973
- Manufactured by Design M, West Germany, 1973

Uchiwa Wall Lamp
Uchiwa Wall Lamp

Grundig Micro-Boy 300
- MW Portable Transistor Radio
- Manufactured by Grundig, Fürth/Bayern, West Germany, 1973

Grundig Micro-Boy 300
Grundig Micro-Boy 300

British car adverts

Alfa Romeo Alfasud
Citroën DS23
Datsun Bluebird
Datsun Bluebird
Fiat 124 Special T
Ford Consul GT
Lancia Beta
Mini 1275 GT
Moskvitch
Moskvitch
Peugeot 504
Saab 96
Saab 99
Saab 99
TVR 3000M
TVR 3000M
Vauxhall Firenza Sport SL