In the later 1800's the began putting cards in with packs of cigarettes to stiffen them. Tobacco companies later discovered a use for them by placing images of actresses, athletes, and advertisements. These are just a few of the many that the Boy Scout's had for cigarette cards. Found at the marvelous NYPL digital Gallery.
There are so many great men's style blogs out there right now. I've been seeing a huge American heritage theme happening which I am liking. RIBS (Robert I. Brown) is one to follow it's under the radar, smart, classic, and has a slice of James Bond.
When I was little, I made a slot machine out of a cardboard box. It was a pretty smooth operation. I had little cardboard boxes on a cardboard dowel that I would spin with my hands once a patron would pull the cardboard lever. If they won I would dispense spare change. It's nothing compared to this but, it makes me awfully reminiscent of it.