First published in 1919, Captain Billy’s Whiz Bang was a wildly popular humor magazine of the Roaring Twenties, filled with jokes, satire, and risqué anecdotes. Created by Wilford Hamilton “Captain Billy” Fawcett, a former military man turned publisher, the magazine became a staple of American pop culture, known for its irreverent wit and cheeky humor. It was particularly loved by young people, flappers, and jazz-age revelers who enjoyed its playful, sometimes bawdy, and always entertaining content.

The magazine was so influential that it even found its way into the lyrics of the Broadway musical The Music Man, where its reputation as a “ribald” read was referenced. A mix of jokes, one-liners, and humorous observations on life, Captain Billy’s Whiz Bang captured the free-spirited, rebellious energy of the 1920s, making it a fitting companion for any flapper with a sense of humor.

Here’s a gag from the magazine, with new art.