History

March 7, 2024

A Brief History Lesson in Tintype Photography

Physical photographs have captivated humans ever since the invention of the camera in 1816, with their ability to capture life's special moments. One of the earliest and often forgotten photo technologies is tintypes. Tintypes are a kind of photograph created by generating a direct positive on a sheet of metal. Ironically, the name is misleading because tin wasn't actually used to create the photographsโ€”instead, the images were usually developed on thin iron plates.

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March 1, 2024

The Last Picture Ever Taken of Hachikล Shows the Love and Reverence the Japanese Had for the Dog

Over the 100 years that have passed since his birth, Hachikล has become a symbol of loyalty. The Akita Inu dog rose to prominence after people realized that he dutifully waited for his owner, Dr. Hidesaburล Ueno, at Shibuya station in Tokyo for almost a decade after his passing. While Hachikล was seen by many as a nuisance at the busy station, his fate changed after his story made the press.

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February 18, 2024

Explore Five Volumes of the History of Cartography for Free Online

What do you know about the history of mapmaking? Cartography is an ancient tradition that has evolved from abstract to highly precise depictions that come from complex scientific readings and satellite images. It takes skill and patience to create a map, but even the best efforts are not free from bias. Maps have long reflected world-views, literally and figuratively.

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January 30, 2024

Mysterious Telegraphic Message Found in Hidden Pocket of Silk Dress From 1888 Is Finally Solved

When Sara Rivers Cofield picked up a vintage 19th-century dress in 2014, she didn't expect to find a mystery along with it. The curator and archaeologist purchased what looked like an ordinary bronze silk bustle dress from 1888 that was in extremely great condition. However, after she was able to inspect the complex garment, she realized that it came with a mysterious messageโ€”the contents of which would not be decoded until nearly 10 years later.

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My Modern Met

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