Posts by Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and a historian of early modern Britain & the Atlantic world. She holds a BA in History and Mathematics from Brown University and an MA in European & Russian Studies from Yale University. Madeleine has worked in archives and museums for years with a particular focus on photography and arts education. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, film photography, and reading while cuddling with her cat Georgia.
Art History
September 8, 2020

Germany Acquires 400-Year-Old “Friendship Book” Filled With Signatures of Kings and Emperors

German library Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel (HAB) recently acquired the Große Stammbuch of Philipp Hainhoferjust—a 400-year-old “friendship book” containing the signatures of emperors, kings, and princes—for about $3.3 million. Scholars thought the one-of-a-kind manuscript was lost until it reappeared in public in 2006. “Friendship books” of its kind are similar to present-day yearbooks. In fact, Große Stammbuch takes its name from the Latin Album Amicorum, which is a direct predecessor to the modern autograph book.

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History
September 4, 2020

Technicolor: The Vibrant History of Hollywood’s Early Introduction to Color Films

In the early 20th century, motion pictures and cinemas were just getting started. Thousands of large, comfortable theaters appeared by 1915. New multi-reel feature films were imported from Europe and embraced by the American middle-class. Many legendary studio names date from these early days—Universal (1912), Goldwyn (1916), and Fox (1915) were founded as part of the movie boom.

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News
August 28, 2020

Google Introduces a New Career Certificates Program That Could Land You a Great Job

Google already teaches us many things, like how to properly cut a pineapple. But beyond the everyday queries, the company is offering formal learning opportunities that can boost or even jump-start your career. It has recently announced the Google Career Certificates program that offers certifications in data analytics, project management, and user experience (UX) design. All courses are remote and flexible for working students and can be completed in about six months.

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Animals
August 25, 2020

Watch How a BBC Film Crew Rescues Penguins Trapped in an Icy Ravine

BBC wildlife filmmakers are the first to acknowledge that nature can be harsh. But the general wisdom of these filmmakers, photographers, and researchers is that humans should not interfere with the natural order. During a filming session in Antarctica, however, their abilities were tested when they found penguins stranded at the bottom of an icy valley.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.