History

October 15, 2018

Fascinating Map From 1942 Features Oceans as the Main Focus of the World

When you imagine a world map, what do you see? Most likely, you picture the Mercator Projection, a rendering rooted in the 16th century. While this visual remains the most widely-used and universally accepted view, its proportions and overall orientation are not accurate. To remedy this, contemporary cartographers and designers alike have created new maps of the world, from an origami-inspired plan to a “true size” version.

Read Article

September 11, 2018

This Golden ‘Peacock Room’ Is a Masterpiece Transported Across the Ocean

Imagine a room so special that it was dismantled, packed into 27 crates, and floated across the ocean. In 1904, that's just what happened to The Peacock Room—a decorative masterpiece by heralded American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler. You might be wondering What makes this room so intriguing that it was floated across the Atlantic from England to America?

Read Article

August 9, 2018

How a Volcanic Eruption Preserved the Ancient Roman City of Pompeii

The ancient city of Pompeii, Rome, is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the world. Located just outside of Naples in southern Italy, Pompeii is renowned for its well-preserved Roman ruins—and the disaster that ironically left them intact. Following a cataclysmic volcanic eruption, the entire city was covered by a blanket of volcanic ash. Until the 18th century, the city remained buried by this dust, leaving it untouched—and unseen—for nearly 1,700 years.

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.