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Historians of the future have their work cut out for them when it comes to decoding some of our current artwork and photographs, I’m sure. What will they think of the LOLcats? Probably something like what we think of these old photos over on Retronaut: Huh. WTF. See more general weirdness, including apparent side-show performers and the Wonder Spot. Link
The Library of Congress has an extensive online collection of historic sound recordings going back over 100 years! Select from classical, ragtime, opera, gospel, and ethnic music, as well as spoken word recordings.
The National Jukebox debuts featuring more than 10,000 78rpm disc sides issued by the Victor Talking Machine Company between 1900 and 1925.
Imagine your computer as a new Gramophone purchased for family and friends to enjoy in your home parlor. Audition popular recorded selections of the beginning of the 20th century years—band music, novelty tunes, humorous monologues, hits from the season’s new musical theater productions, the latest dance rhythms, and opera arias.
And, unlike a jukebox, you don’t have to insert quarters. Link -Thanks, Rich!
San Francisco’s planning commission is strict about changing the look of historic buildings. But a parking garage adds a LOT of value to a home in a city where there are very few places to park. Beausoleil Architects figured out a way to make everyone happy. Link -via The Daily What
(Image credit: F.B. Johnston)
Look at that massive chimney! Can you imagine the size of the fireplaces inside? This is Windsor Shades in King William County, Virginia. In colonial times, it was a tavern, one of George Washington’s favorite hangouts. Read more about this unique house at TYWKIWDBI. Link
Tomorrow marks the 106th anniversary of man’s affair with flight. Orville and Wilbur Wright developed fixed wing aircraft, as well as the controls that provide heavier-than-air powered flight. On December 17, 1903, the brothers took their Wright Flyer I to Kitty Hawk flatland, and after many attempts succeeded in their quest for flight.
Following repairs, the Wrights finally took to the air on December 17, 1903, making two flights each from level ground into a freezing headwind gusting to 27 miles per hour (43 km/h). The first flight, by Orville, of 120 feet (37 m) in 12 seconds, at a speed of only 6.8 miles per hour (10.9 km/h) over the ground, was recorded in a famous photograph. The next two flights covered approximately 175 feet (53 m) and 200 feet (61 m), by Wilbur and Orville respectively. Their altitude was about 10 feet (3.0 m) above the ground. (Wiki)
In honor of the anniversary, here’s a video of the Wright Brothers in France, 1908, demonstrating their new flying machine.
(via Wired)
Photo: T. Enami
Pink Tentacle has an awesome collection of gifs culled from Okinawa Soba’s Flickr set- called the mother lode of online photos by enigmatic photographer T. Enami (1859-1929). These particular photos were taken for a stereoscope (kinda like a View-Master) that made them look like 3-D. Coincidentally, the geishas in the photo above are enjoying some stereoviews.
A stereoview consists of a pair of nearly identical images that appear three-dimensional when viewed through a stereoscope, because each eye sees a slightly different image. This illusion of depth can also be recreated with animated GIFs like the ones here… Follow the links under each animation for the original stereoviews and background information.
These animated images are worth the click. Check them out! Link.
