WEIRD HISTORY
The “Countess of Computing” didn’t just create the world’s first computer program—she foresaw a digital future. The Countess of Computing was the daughter of the Princess of Parallelograms. (Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain) – By Erin Blakemore SmithsonianMag.Com 2016 Oct 11 – It’s Ada Lovelace …
An archaeologist at Chedworth Roman Villa exploring what lies underneath parts of the villa, some of which haven’t ever been explored. Credit: Stephen Haywood/National Trust – Written by Sara Spary, CNN – Archaeologists have uncovered Britain’s first 5th century Roman mosaic — a …
Forever changing the nation, the women who worked in American factories during the war have been collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Artist J. Howard Miller produced this work-incentive poster for the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company. Though displayed only briefly in Westinghouse …
Papers sold by Sotheby’s document the British scientist’s research into the ancient Egyptians and the Bible. Newton held unconventional religious beliefs and dabbled in alchemy and the occult. (Sotheby’s) – By Livia Gershon SmithsonianMag.Com 2020 Dec 08 – Messages about a coming apocalypse …
Reviewed: Hitler: Downfall 1939-1945 by Volker Ullrich (Trans. Jefferson Chase, Alfred A. Knopf, 2020) – by James Thornton Harris 2020 Dec 06 – James Thornton Harris is a contributing editor to the History News Network. For more information see www.JamesThorntonHarris.com. – Is there anything new we …
Bronze swine figurine found at Titelberg. Source: Wuyts, A / CC BY 2.0 – By Ed Whelan 2019 Nov 23 – The Duchy of Luxembourg has a remarkable archaeological site dating from the Celtic period. It was inhabited for over 700 years and …
An equine influenza in 1872 laid bare how essential horses were to the economy. Henry Bergh (in top hat) stopping an overcrowded horsecar, from Harper’s Weekly, Sept. 21, 1872. (Library of Congress) – By Ernest Freeberg, The Conversation SmithsonianMag.Com 2020 Dec 04 – …
Created by a Russian engineer, the theremin has delighted and confounded audiences since 1920 Russian physicist and engineer Lev Sergeyevich Termen—who later came to be widely known as Léon Theremin—invented his namesake instrument around 1920. Here, he’s pictured in 1928. (Library of Congress) …
The Chumash people poked bits of psychoactive plants into cave ceilings next to their paintings. Datura wrightii – Credit: Rick Bury (art)/Melissa Dabulamanzi (Datura)/PNAS – By Robby Berman 2020 Nov 27 – Mysterious pinwheel paintings in a California cave are probably representations of …
Harrison Ruffin Tyler and President John Tyler – Illustration courtesy of BlackChristianNews.Com – By Gillian Brockell – These days Harrison Ruffin Tyler, 91, is allowed only one designated visitor. Those are the pandemic rules at the nursing home in Virginia where he lives. …
