History Schmistory: October 2. Fifth Dimensional TV!

1959: Televisions legendary sci-fi anthology series, The Twilight Zone, premiers on CBS. It receives numerous rave reviews, but ratings land in the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge… …

By Bureau of Industrial Service. This was a division of ad agency Young & Rubicam and was widely used by those in the television industry for distributing publicity material. (eBay front back) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By Bureau of Industrial Service. This was a division of ad agency Young & Rubicam and was widely used by those in the television industry for distributing publicity material. (eBay front back) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

History Schmistory: October 1. Back off, sound!!

1969: A Concorde turbojet-powered supersonic passenger airliner breaks the sound barrier for the first time. Sound barrier calls shenanigans and demands a rematch.

U.S. Navy F/A-18 within the sound barrier By Ensign John Gay, U.S. Navy [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

U.S. Navy F/A-18 within the sound barrier
By Ensign John Gay, U.S. Navy [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Are You For Real?

Known as South America’s most adorable and most endangered primate, the Cotton-Top Tamarin is a monkey that must be seen to be believed. And even then you’re pushing it.

History Schmistory: September 30. Too soon?

1955: After starring in only 3 movies, legendary actor James Dean dies in an auto collision, forever distinguishing him as the rebel without a seatbelt.

By Trailer screenshot (Rebel Without a Cause trailer) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By Trailer screenshot (Rebel Without a Cause trailer) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

A Name You Should Know: Bill Lear

Most people who do know the name, credit him as the developer of the luxury aircraft, the Learjet, but there are plenty of even better reasons to sing the praises of Bill Lear. Anyone who listens to music in their vehicles must give him credit for inventing the first car radio and then the eight-track tape player. Not enough for you? OK, then, he also basically invented radio navigation AND autopilot technology. On top of that he even had a great sense of humor. He named his daughter Shanda… Shanda Lear… brilliant!!

GO THERE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kremlin, you say? Well you could say that but you would be flat wrong. St Basil’s Cathedral, which lies just to the east of the Moscow Kremlin, is often incorrectly referred to as “the Kremlin” by most people who have never been to Russia. Kremlin is actually a term for the fortified government bases found at the heart of numerous historic Russian cities. The Moscow Kremlin, with it’s opulent palaces, is also where the President of the Russian Federation lives. To us though, in Moscow, St. Basil’s takes the cake. And we owe it all to Ivan the Terrible! That’s right. Not quite so terrible now, is he?

History Schmistory: September 29. Stool ka-Boom!

1911: Italy declares war on the Ottomans. All they ever wanted was to be comfortable.

By Wikipedia Loves Art participant "VeronikaB" [CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Wikipedia Loves Art participant “VeronikaB” [CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

GO THERE!

Is your job physically demanding? Are you suffering from any sort of chronic physical pain? Do yourself a favor: Hop over to Iceland (gingerly) and relax in the 100°F geothermal seawater pools at the Blue Lagoon Resort. Then drop us a thank you note for telling you about it.

History Schmistory: September 28. Perhaps we should have waited…

1951: CBS makes the first color television available to the public, only to see it discontinued a few weeks later.

By McCann-Erickson advertising agency for the Columbia Broadcasting System. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By McCann-Erickson advertising agency for the Columbia Broadcasting System. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

GO THERE!

The colorful and inviting Manarola is one of five towns that make up the region of Cinque Terre on the rugged coast of the Italian Riviera, an area known to bring tears to Marco’s eyes… mostly because he’s afraid of heights.

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