History

November 28, 2020

Explore the “Exploded” Inner Workings of the Ford Model T, the Car That Changed America

The Ford Model T car is an American icon. Billed as the country's first affordable vehicle, it was released in 1908 by the Ford Motor Company under the direction of Henry Ford. Sold for between $260 and $850 (about $7,300 and $24,000 in 2020), the car allowed the middle class to become motorists. American daily life adapted itself to this new mobility, and the U.S. still remains a nation of drivers.

Read Article

November 15, 2020

Celtic Knots: Discover the Meaning Behind These Intricate Designs

You've likely seen the Celtic knot before. This intricate motif is found in many places, including tattoos, decorative crosses, and silver jewelry. But how much do you know about it? Celtic knots are strongly associated with the Irish culture in Ireland and overseas. However, few know the history and meanings behind these beautiful designs. Their story is a long one and shockingly global; many societies have developed motifs of endless or infinite knots.

Read Article

November 5, 2020

10,000 Rare Vintage Cookbooks Now Available for Free Online

Not sure what to make for dinner tonight? Aspiring chefs or weary home cooks can find inspiration in recipes of the American past. Over 10,000 historic cookbooks are now available in the Cookbooks and Home Economics collection of the Internet Archive. From early European recipe collections which walk the line of food and medicine to 20th-century promotional recipes by Gelatin brands, these historic cookbooks have a recipe for any time, place, or occasion.

Read Article

September 30, 2020

Uppercase and Lowercase: An Etymological Tale of Two Scripts

To start a sentence, one uses an uppercase letter to begin the first word. But where do the opaque terms uppercase and lowercase come from? To understand why capital letters are “uppercase”—and their smaller counterparts are “lowercase”—one has to look back in history to early handwriting and follow that tale to the printing press. The existence and etymology (the history of a word) of uppercase and lowercase is a fascinating tale.

Read Article

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.