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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August 24, 2020

Researchers Uncovered a 5,000-Year-Old Crystal Dagger Buried in Spain

Archeologists have discovered many tools left behind by prehistoric civilizations. Most of these are made of stone, but in Spain, researchers have found incredible weapons made of rock crystal. Dating back to at least 3000 BCE, these weapons include an incredible crystal dagger that would have taken enormous skill to carve. The incredible find was discovered in the megalithic tomb of Montelirio tholos, which is located in southwestern Spain.

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August 21, 2020

Sommelier History: How Poison-Detecting Servants Became Respected Wine Connoisseurs

The 2012 documentary Somm exposed many Americans to the fascinating hidden world of sommeliers. Somm followed four men studying for the exam that confers the highest qualification in the field: Master Sommelier. But to many people, sommeliers may still be something of an enigma. How can one make a career out of pouring and tasting wine? The answers might surprise you. What Is a Sommelier? Simply put, a sommelier is a wine expert.

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August 8, 2020

Photographer Finds 120-Year-Old Cat Photos After Developing Film Found in a Time Capsule

Time capsules are part of a beloved tradition dating back thousands of years. Designed to connect the past to present civilizations, they come in many shapes and forms. They can range from planned, physical objects filled with historically significant items or data from the time period of its creation (such as the Golden Record I and II on the Voyager spacecraft) to unintentional preservations of times past (such as the city of Pompeii).

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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.