Jenny Drapkin
6 of LBJ’s Favorite Things (on his 100th Birthday)
by Jenny Drapkin - August 27, 2008 - 12:46 PM

Lyndon Johnson was born 100 years ago today. Here’s a piece from mental_floss magazine on some of LBJ’s favorite things, including his Amphicar—the only amphibious passenger automobile ever mass-produced for civilians.

LBJ-Richard-Russell.jpg

Lyndon Baines Johnson wanted to be remembered as the greatest president who ever lived. With that grand ambition in mind (and an ego to match), he launched such sweeping social programs as Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, public radio, public television, and food stamps. Regardless, Johnson will probably be best remembered for his blinding arrogance, and what many would point to as the result of it—the Vietnam War. But here, we’re choosing to remember Johnson not by the many political wheels he set into motion, but by the stuff he kept by his side—and close to his heart.

1. His Toilet

Johnson lived to dominate, and he used crass behavior to bend people to his will. At 6-ft., 3-in. tall and 210 lbs., he liked to lean over people, spitting, swearing, belching, or laughing in their faces. Once, he even relieved himself on a Secret Serviceman who was shielding him from public view. When the man looked horrified, Johnson simply said, “That’s all right, son. It’s my prerogative.” His favorite power ploy, however, seemed to be dragging people into the bathroom with him—forcing them to continue their conversations with the president as he used the toilet. [Image: LBJ and Senator Richard Russell, courtesy of the National Archives.]

2. His Amphicar


When President Johnson was visiting his ranch in Texas, he’d invite friends down and take them for a joyride in his car. He’d drive down a steep incline toward the lake, pretend to lose control, and then yell, “The brakes don’t work! We’re going in! We’re going under!” The car would splash into the lake, and as everyone else was screaming, Johnson would be doubled over laughing. Turns out, Johnson was the proud owner of an Amphicar, the only amphibious passenger automobile ever mass-produced for civilians.

3. His Presidential Buzzer

When people told stories about John F. Kennedy’s great female conquests (and they often did), it made Johnson furious. He’d pound his fists on the desk and scream, “Why, I had more women on accident than he ever had on purpose!” And that may very well have been true. Johnson brought a lot of pretty young things back from Texas to work in the White House, even if they couldn’t type. He even had a buzzer installed in the Oval Office so that the Secret Service could warn him when his wife was on her way.

4. His Helicopter Chair

LBJ loved riding in helicopters. He loved it so much, in fact, that his desk chair in the Oval Office was actually a vinyl helicopter seat—green with a built-in ashtray. In the event of a flood or an emergency water landing, the cushion could have doubled as a flotation device. No joke.

5. His Wife’s Pecan Pie Recipe

Lady-Bird.jpgClaudia “Lady Bird” Johnson was her husband’s most vital political ally. In the early days of their marriage, he could boss her into picking up his socks or shining his shoes, but by the time they moved into the White House, he couldn’t give a speech without consulting her first. During the 1960 election, she traveled 30,000 miles campaigning for the Kennedy/Johnson ticket; and after they won, Bobby Kennedy said they couldn’t have gotten Texas without her.

She played an even bigger role in the 1964 election. That July, Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, which barred racial and religious discrimination in public places and the workforce. In doing so, Johnson betrayed many good ol’ boys in the South, where he desperately needed votes. Enter Lady Bird. Armed with big hair and big makeup, the Texas native spewed Southern charm from Louisiana to South Carolina. And everywhere she went, she handed out her recipe for pecan pie. The hospitality worked. In 1965, Mrs. Johnson held the Bible as her husband was sworn into office.

6. His Monogrammed Towels

Everyone in the Johnson family had the same initials—Lyndon Baines, Lady Bird, and their daughters, Lynda Bird and Luci Baines. Don’t think for a moment that it was a coincidence, either. They named the family dog Little Beagle Johnson.

Jenny Drapkin is the Senior Editor of mental_floss magazine. You can read more of her presidential knowledge here.
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Comments (17)

  1. The crassness turns me off, but I do have a favorite quote attributed to LBJ, used to describe someone stupid. I don’t know who Johnson applied it to first, but for obvious reasons, I’ll use another Texan:

    “Dubya couldn’t pour piss out of a boot if the instructions were written on the heel.”

    It falls into a great, if limited, Southern tradition of piss-related insults. Another good one:

    “I wouldn’t piss on him if he was on fire.”

    posted by Southern Buddhist on 8-27-2008 at 1:03 pm

  2. One of my favorite LBJ stories is when he once went on a tour where he flew in on a helicopter. He started walking toward a helicopter, and an aide stopped him and said- “Sir, your helicopter is over there”. To which LBJ replied- “Son, they ALL are my helicopters”.

    posted by David on 8-27-2008 at 2:07 pm

  3. I also recall that he would have his chair at certain tables installed to be higher than everyone elses.

    Should’ve loaned the amphicar to Ted Kennedy.

    posted by D-Mac on 8-27-2008 at 2:38 pm

  4. He also tended to put his chairs up higher so he could look down on people.

    Should’ve loaned the amphicar to Ted Kennedy.

    posted by D-Mac on 8-27-2008 at 2:39 pm

  5. Very funny post… I guess he did a lot of good things but the crassness is a complete turn-off. What I dont understand is this: the US obviously has a rich tradition of adulterous presidents (no one EVER bad-mouths JFK) so why was Clinton the only one impeached over it?

    posted by GTT on 8-27-2008 at 3:15 pm

  6. Was Clinton impeached over the adultery, or for lying about it under oath (perjury)?

    posted by DYMongoose on 8-27-2008 at 3:41 pm

  7. Clinton was impeached because for the last 40 years, Republicans have cared far more about destroying Democrats than they have cared about America.

    posted by Southern Buddhist on 8-27-2008 at 4:35 pm

  8. To actually answer your question; yes Clinton was impeached for perjury.

    posted by Edward on 8-27-2008 at 9:16 pm

  9. I can’t agree that LBJ will probably be remembered for his arrogance. The man did a hell of a lot for civil rights despite the fact that it endangered his career as a politician (and politics was almost everything to him).
    I highly recommend Robert Caro’s multi-volume biography of LBJ if you want to learn more about him or our government in general.

    posted by Camille on 8-27-2008 at 10:05 pm

  10. there’s another story about LBJ – As Majority Leader, he was thrilled to be the first legislator in Washington with a car phone. When Everett Dirksen, Republican Minority Leader and a friendly rival, also acquired one, he telephoned Johnson’s limo to say that he was calling from his new car phone. “Can you hold on a minute, Ev?” Johnson asked. “My other phone is ringing.”

    posted by donner on 8-27-2008 at 10:56 pm

  11. Remember too that Kennedy and LBJ were presidents during a way different era than Clinton. In the 60s, and earlier, it was to a certain extent accepted for men to cheat on their wives, provided they were somewhat discreet about it. Wives were expected to be faithful and true supporters and political allies, but for sex, you could go elsewhere.
    Nowadays it still goes on, but its less acceptable in public life. Most people just don’t see womanizing as a positive or attractive trait in a global leader, especially if you lie about it under oath. Times change.

    posted by Julia on 8-28-2008 at 3:41 am

  12. d-mac, way to go. As long as you’re the nation’s eldest liberal …. murder can apparently be written out of the narrative.

    posted by DW on 8-28-2008 at 8:46 am

  13. I wasn’t aware that this was his 100th birthday. He wasn’t perfect, but God was he interesting and entertaining. Such a complex man- and Lady Bird was so charming.

    posted by another southern buddhist on 8-28-2008 at 8:57 am

  14. What a flawed but complex man. Wherever he is I wish him a happy 100th.

    posted by harold on 8-28-2008 at 8:59 am

  15. Your post about President LBJ was extremely interesting and informative. I am now interested in learning more about him.

    posted by Gail Alexander on 8-30-2008 at 6:02 pm

  16. David (or anyone else familiar with the below story), I would love to correspond. That aide was my later brother-in-law, Major General Hugh. G. Robinson and I am completing his biography. Thanks

    Tony Brown

    One of my favorite LBJ stories is when he once went on a tour where he flew in on a helicopter. He started walking toward a helicopter, and an aide stopped him and said- “Sir, your helicopter is over there”. To which LBJ replied- “Son, they ALL are my helicopters”.

    posted by David on 8-27-2008 at 2:07 pm

    posted by Tony Brown on 10-7-2011 at 12:18 am

  17. You may contact me at admin@hughgrobinson.org

    posted by Tony Brown on 10-7-2011 at 12:19 am

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