The Germinator: Luigi Cani Skydiving to save the Amazon!
Luigi Cani, one of the most renowned parachutists in the world, has performed more than 14,000 jumps and carried out more than 150 film projects around the world. He holds 11 world records, including the free fall speed record of 552km/h and jumping and landing with the world’s smallest and fastest parachute.
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| Author: Luigi Cani |
Luigi Cani dropped 100 million seeds from 17 native trees in the Amazon at his own cost, taking massive risks by skydiving himself and opening the box in the air.
It was extremely difficult for him to obtain the permissions, arrange a biodegradable box and ropes, then the flight carrier and 100 million seeds—all at his own cost with no sponsorship, putting his own life at risk.
He and his team spent two months collecting seeds from native plants in a nearby section of the rainforest. And getting four tons of equipment to the middle of the Amazon jungle was the hardest work anyone on his team had ever done. After they got the equipment into the jungle, came the dive. Luigi had to dive in the air at 200 miles per hour so he could grab the half-ton box of free falling seeds and release them at precisely the right altitude. It was so difficult and he was so focused, he accidentally held his breath for over two minutes. He nearly broke his wrist and some fingers, but it was worth it.
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| Author: Luigi Cani |
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| Author: Luigi Cani |
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝐀 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐜𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
In 1915, Thomas Lyle Williams, a young entrepreneur, witnessed his sister Mabel applying a homemade beauty mixture of coal dust and petroleum jelly to darken her eyelashes. Impressed by her creativity but concerned about its safety, Williams was inspired to develop a more refined and reliable cosmetic. He eventually created the first commercial mascara, naming his company "Maybelline" after Mabel. This innovation revolutionized the beauty industry, making enhanced eyelashes accessible to women everywhere. The product’s success paved the way for the global cosmetic empire that Maybelline would become, forever changing the way women approached makeup.
via Curious Chronicles
Dust of Snow by Robert Frost
"Dust of Snow," by Robert Frost, is a short, evocative piece that captures a moment of transformation. Through its simple imagery and profound insight, the poem reveals the beauty and significance of small events in our daily lives. Frost, known for his deep connection to nature and keen observations of human emotions, uses this brief encounter to highlight the impact of nature on the human spirit.
In "Dust of Snow," the speaker recounts a seemingly trivial incident where a crow shakes some snow from a hemlock tree, causing it to fall on the speaker. This minor event, however, leads to a significant change in the speaker's mood. Initially downcast, the speaker finds their spirits lifted, and the day that seemed wasted is now salvaged. The poem, through its simplicity, emphasizes how nature can unexpectedly alter our emotions and perspective.
"Dust of Snow" was published in Frost's collection "New Hampshire" in 1923, a time when the world was recovering from the aftermath of World War I and the Spanish flu pandemic. This period saw a growing appreciation for the healing power of nature and the need for introspection and mental rejuvenation. Frost's work often reflects his New England surroundings, and his poetry frequently explores the interplay between nature and human emotions. In this poem, the hemlock tree, often associated with poison, and the crow, typically seen as a harbinger of doom, are ironically sources of salvation, underscoring Frost's belief in the redemptive power of nature's simplicity.
Colin Farrell's Amazing Transformation into The Penguin
HBO's New Show The Penguin follows the transformation of Oswald Cobblepot from a disfigured nobody to a noted Gotham gangster.
𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬
On a chilly New York day in 1902, Mary Anderson, a determined woman with a sharp eye for problem-solving, watched in frustration as drivers struggled to see through their snow-covered windshields. Inspired, she invented the world’s first windshield wiper. Despite her groundbreaking design—operated from inside the car to easily clear away snow and rain—Anderson faced skepticism. Car manufacturers at the time failed to see its potential, but her invention would later become an essential safety feature for every vehicle. Though her name faded into obscurity, her impact lives on every time wipers clear a driver’s view during a storm.
Statue of 'David' by Michelangelo - wrapped In bricks to prevent bomb damage in World War 2
Key points about the protection of Michelangelo's David during WWII:
Protective measure:
A brick structure, often described as a "beehive" shape, was built around the statue.
Purpose:
To protect the marble masterpiece from potential damage from bombs during aerial attacks.
Location:
The statue was located in Florence, Italy, where it remained throughout the war.
Elvis
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| Signing Autographs on a Boys Head, 1959 |
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| Teenagers at an Elvis Presley concert at the Philadelphia Arena, 1957! |
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| Young Kurt Russell kicking Elvis Presley in the movie “It Happened at the World's Fair”, 1963 |
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| Elvis in the Army, 1958 |
The Women Painted by John Singer Sargent
Madame X (Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau), 1884
Portrait of Lady Agnew of Lochnaw, 1893
Portrait of Lady Helen, 1904
Portrait of Millicent, Duchess of Sutherland, 1904.
The Natural Phenomenon ot the ainbow Swamp
When the bald cypress trees drop their leaves in the fall, they decompose in the swamp. The resulting matter, when hit at just the right angle by sunlight, gives off this prismatic appearance.
And the longer the water goes undisturbed, the stronger the effect. If you’re lucky, you can see the rainbow throughout the later fall and over the course of the winter in cypress swamps throughout the South.
The Ghost Town of Bodie
The ghost town of Bodie is located in California, United States. Situated in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range, it is in Mono County, approximately 75 miles southeast of Lake Tahoe.
It was previously a thriving mining town in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but it finally went into obscurity and was left in very good condition. Bodie is now a well-liked tourist destination and a state historic site, giving tourists an intriguing look into the past.
It was previously a thriving mining town in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but it finally went into obscurity and was left in very good condition. Bodie is now a well-liked tourist destination and a state historic site, giving tourists an intriguing look into the past.
The discovery of gold by a group of prospectors, including W. S. Bodey, in 1859 is the origin of the ghost town of Bodie. Unfortunately, Bodey was unable to see the growth of the town bearing his name before he died in a blizzard the following year.
The town was formerly known by various phonetic variations of “Bodey,” but after a painter in the nearby boomtown of Aurora lettered a sign for “Bodie Stables,” the name “Bodie” remained. Although Bodie’s fame initially lagged behind, the finding of gold there coincided with the discovery of silver in Aurora and the renowned Comstock Lode in Nevada.
Bodie State Historic Park was established in 1962 as a result of Bodie’s recognition as a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Currently, about 110 buildings that are in a state of halted degradation serve as a reminder of the town’s past. The interiors of buildings that still contain their original contents and the deserted streets can be explored by visitors.
Bodie has grown to be a well-liked location for night photography, which only adds to its unsettling appeal. Visitors can get to Bodie via State Route 270 or State Route 167 even though the town’s highways are frequently closed during the winter owing to severe snowfall. One of the original residences on Green Street now serves as the ranger station for the California State Parks. Bodie State Historic Park still runs despite previous financial difficulties; the Bodie Foundation currently oversees operations.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Newlyweds often plant sycamore trees on both sides of the path leading to the house, then put them together to symbolize that two people become one.
The Dying Lion of Lucerne
The Dying Lion of Lucerne is one of the world's most famous monuments. It was carved out of natural rock in memory of the heroic deaths of the Swiss mercenaries at the Tuileries in 1792.
Mark Twain described the Lion of Lucerne as the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world. The Lion lies in his lair in the perpendicular face of a low cliff — for he is carved from the living rock of the cliff. His size is colossal, his attitude is noble. His head is bowed, the broken spear is sticking in his shoulder, his protecting paw rests upon the lilies of France. Vines hang down the cliff and wave in the wind, and a clear stream trickles from above and empties into a pond at the base, and in the smooth surface of the pond the lion is mirrored, among the water-lilies. Around about are green trees and grass. The place is a sheltered, reposeful woodland nook, remote from noise and stir and confusion—and all this is fitting, for lions do die in such places, and not on granite pedestals in public squares fenced with fancy iron railings. The Lion of Lucerne would be impressive anywhere, but nowhere so impressive as where he is.
When a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
A photo by Berenice Abbot of a woman wiring an IBM computer, 1948.
Demonstrating how bulletproof vests work, 1923.
A family poses with their covered wagon in Kansas, 1908.
Building the hand and torch of the Statue of Liberty, Paris, 1876.
The tallest man to ever live, Robert Wadlow, poses with his family in 1935.
Two women, minutes after voting, London, 1929.
Henry Ford in the first car he ever built, 1896.
The absolutely massive chain for the Titanic’s anchor, c. 1909.
Bottling ketchup at the Heinz factory, Pittsburgh, 1897
“No dog biscuits today,” London, 1940s
Protesting against low pay for teachers, 1930
Car Becomes Hatchery
A heartwarming story of nature and human kindness has emerged from Denmark. A car owner, choosing to remain anonymous, found his vehicle unexpectedly occupied – not by a fellow human, but by a determined dove. The dove had built a nest within the car, laying her eggs and preparing for motherhood.
Faced with this unique situation, the Danish owner made a remarkable decision. He chose to put his own needs on hold, refusing to start his car for an entire month. His reasoning? In his own words, “As long as she chose my car to build her nest, I’ll match her spirit.”
This act of compassion allowed the dove to raise her chicks in peace. The owner’s patience and respect for nature have captured hearts online, highlighting the beautiful connection that can exist between humans and the animal world.
The Bookwheel!
17th century device that allowed researchers to read up to 8 open books at a time.
Researching information in the 16th century could be a challenge.
Books at that time were typically large and heavy, so if you needed to review several volumes simultaneously, much lifting and desk space was required. Enter Agostino Ramelli, who in 1588 invented the Bookwheel. It allowed the placement of multiple books on a wheel that could be easily rotated in front of the reader. It worked vertically like a water wheel and took up no more space than a table.
This beautiful model pictured here is from the 17th century and can be found in the Biblioteca Palafoxiana. Puebla, Mexico (also the source of the image).
Frank Morris and The Seeing Eye Dog
Frank Morris was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1908. At the age of six he lost his right eye after hitting a tree branch while horseback riding, and at the age of 16 he lost his left eye during a boxing match. Morris was very frustrated with depending on others to help him get around.
In November 1927, Morris's father read him an article by Dorothy Eustis, an American philanthropist living in Switzerland who operated a school that supplied dogs to the police and Red Cross. The article described schools in Germany that trained guide dogs for WWI veterans who had gone blind from mustard gas.
Morris was inspired to write Eustis for help. "Is what you say really true? If so, I want one of those dogs! And I am not alone. Thousands of blind like me abhor being dependent on others. Help me and I will help them. Train me and I will bring back my dog and show people here how a blind man can be absolutely on his own. We can then set up an instruction center in this country to give all those here who want it a chance at a new life." Eustis agreed to help.
Morris went to Switzerland and trained with a female German shepherd named Kiss, which he quickly renamed Buddy. The training was hard, but after a few weeks Morris was able to get around the Swiss village safely with Buddy's assistance.
In June 1928, Frank returned to the US with Buddy in New York City. He notified the media and demonstrated Buddy's abilities by crossing a busy New York street. According to Morris "She [Buddy] moved forward into the ear-splitting clangor, stopped, backed up, and started again. I lost all sense of direction and surrendered myself entirely to the dog. I shall never forget the next three minutes: 10-ton trucks rocketing past, cabs blowing their horns in our ears, drivers shouting at us. When we finally got to the other side and I realized what a really magnificent job she had done, I leaned over and gave Buddy a great big hug and told her what a good, good girl she was."
Morris sent a one-word telegram to Eustis: "SUCCESS!"
In January 1929, Morris and Eustis cofounded the first guide dog school in the US called The Seeing Eye. It operated in Nashville for two years and then relocated to New Jersey because the weather was more suitable for training dogs. Between 1929 and 1956, Morris traveled throughout the US spreading the word about the organization and the need for equal access laws for people with guide dogs. By 1956, every state in the US had passed laws allowing blind people with guide dogs access to public spaces.
Buddy died on May 23, 1938. Morris named his next dog Buddy, as he would all his subsequent seeing eye dogs. On April 29, 2005, a sculpture of Frank Morris and Buddy titled The Way to Independence was unveiled in Morristown, New Jersey.
Harry and Snowman
Pictured are Harry Deleyer and SnowmanSnowman was an old Amish plow horse that Harry rescued off a truck that was bound for the meat and glue factory for only $80. Less than two years after he rescued Snowman, they rose to become the national show jumping champions and were the Cinderella story and media darlings of the late 1950s and 1960s.
Very few horse stories have been able to truly touch the hearts of a nation. Red Pollard & Seabiscuit did it in the 1930s, Harry deLeyer & Snowman did it in the 1950s and then Ron Turcotte & Secretariat were the last to do it in the 1970s.
HARRY & SNOWMAN (the movie) will be the first time that Harry's remarkable and heartfelt life story will be told by 85-year-old Harry himself.
John Singer Sargent’s "Portrait of Madame X"
Few paintings have stirred as much controversy as John Singer Sargent’s "Portrait of Madame X", a masterpiece that shocked Parisian society when it debuted at the 1884 Salon.
The portrait's subject, Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau, was a well-known socialite known for her beauty and daring fashion sense. However, the reaction to her portrayal was far from flattering, leading to a scandal that echoed through the art world and beyond.
The Scandal of the Original Version
When Sargent first exhibited the painting, titled Portrait de Mme**, it featured Gautreau in a stunning black gown with one strap daringly slipping off her shoulder. This subtle yet provocative detail suggested a level of sensuality that was considered scandalous, especially for a woman of her social standing. Critics and the public alike were appalled, not only by the perceived impropriety of the pose but also by Gautreau’s pale, almost ghostly complexion. The backlash was immediate and severe, with many mocking the painting and deriding Sargent’s artistic choices.
The scandal had a profound impact on both Sargent and Gautreau. Gautreau’s mother demanded the painting be withdrawn, lamenting its damage to her daughter’s reputation. Sargent, devastated by the negative reception, ultimately decided to alter the painting. He repainted the offending strap to sit securely on Gautreau’s shoulder, in an attempt to diminish the outcry and preserve his own career.
Despite the changes, the damage had been done. Sargent left Paris soon after, moving to London where he continued his career but avoided such risky subject matter in the future.
Today, "Portrait of Madame X" is celebrated not just for its technical brilliance but also for its bold statement about beauty, sexuality, and the role of women in society. The painting remains one of Sargent’s most famous works, and its history is a testament to the fine line between art and scandal.
The Scandal of the Original Version
When Sargent first exhibited the painting, titled Portrait de Mme**, it featured Gautreau in a stunning black gown with one strap daringly slipping off her shoulder. This subtle yet provocative detail suggested a level of sensuality that was considered scandalous, especially for a woman of her social standing. Critics and the public alike were appalled, not only by the perceived impropriety of the pose but also by Gautreau’s pale, almost ghostly complexion. The backlash was immediate and severe, with many mocking the painting and deriding Sargent’s artistic choices.
The scandal had a profound impact on both Sargent and Gautreau. Gautreau’s mother demanded the painting be withdrawn, lamenting its damage to her daughter’s reputation. Sargent, devastated by the negative reception, ultimately decided to alter the painting. He repainted the offending strap to sit securely on Gautreau’s shoulder, in an attempt to diminish the outcry and preserve his own career.
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Photograph of the painter John Singer Sargent in his studio in Paris, Circa 1884. He is standing next to one of his most famous works, "Madame X". |
The Aftermath and Legacy
Despite the changes, the damage had been done. Sargent left Paris soon after, moving to London where he continued his career but avoided such risky subject matter in the future.
However, the painting has endured as a symbol of artistic daring and societal constraints. When Sargent donated the painting to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1916, he insisted that Gautreau's identity remain concealed, hence the enigmatic title "Madame X."
Today, "Portrait of Madame X" is celebrated not just for its technical brilliance but also for its bold statement about beauty, sexuality, and the role of women in society. The painting remains one of Sargent’s most famous works, and its history is a testament to the fine line between art and scandal.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
This aerial photograph reveals an intriguing feature of the Great Pyramid of Giza: it has 8 sides instead of the commonly perceived 4. Each face of the pyramid has a slight concavity, creating this effect noticeable only from above and under certain lighting conditions. This architectural nuance, visible during specific times like the equinoxes, showcases the extraordinary precision and ingenuity of ancient Egyptian builders, deepening the enigma of this ancient wonder.
Check out this extreme close-up of the Great Pyramid of Giza's blocks. Some of these stones have been moved around, likely by people searching for secret entrances or hidden treasures. The indents on the blocks show where the capstone was meant to sit, but it’s now gone. This tampering highlights the precision with which these enormous stones were originally positioned, a testament to the impressive engineering prowess of the ancient Egyptians.
The Arita Cone
The Arita Cone, an almost perfect conical formation, rises strikingly from the vast expanse of the Salar de Arizaro in the Puna de Atacama, a region spanning Chile and Argentina.
This geological spectacle, shaped by natural erosion, creates a surreal sight in the middle of the desert. Photographer John Seager utilized a drone to capture the cone's impressive shadow on a clear, sunny day, emphasizing its dramatic silhouette against the salt flats.
The Arita Cone’s distinct shape and isolated beauty make it a remarkable natural landmark, offering a glimpse into the awe-inspiring forces of nature.
American Indian Dog
American Indian Dog is believed to be up to 30,000 years old. Yes, it's possible that the breed shared parts of North America with some of the earliest Native Americans to inhabit the land. Some specialists have theorized that the Native American Indian Dog breed could even be the missing link between wolves and the modern-day dog as we know it today.
The Town with a Subculture of Secret Tiny Doors
In Ann Arbor, Michigan, a series of what is known as ‘fairy doors’, began popping up around the area in 2005, built into buildings, shops and restaurants and quickly acquired a cult following. Father and children’s book author, Jonathan B. Wright, believed to be behind the installation of the whimsical tiny portals, is kind of like the Banksy of fairy doors.
One of the fairy doors in Ann Arbor, outside the Peaceable Kingdom store. There’s a miniature replica of the shop behind the door built under the window display, which can also be seen from tiny windows inside the store…
It all began in 1993 when Jonathan was renovating his home and decided to install some fairy doors for his daughters (one in the fireplace and two in the kitchen). You can see the doors he built for them here. Over a decade later, he decided to go public. On April 7, 2005, the first public fairy door appeared outside Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea. Ten days later, the Peaceable Kingdom one appeared.
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| Ann Arbor Public Library |
Elephants Don't Change Thier Habits
The Elephants in the Room: Watch a Herd Walk through a Hotel
Why go on a safari when you can watch wildlife right from the comfort of your hotel?
Inviting
big, exotic animals inside probably wasn't the plan when the Mfuwe Lodge was
built in Zambia in 1998, but that’s what wound up happening. The lodge
surrounds a mango tree that a local group of elephants likes to feed on and
sits on the path they traditionally used to get to it.
When
Mfuwe opened for business, the elephants made it clear they had no intention of
changing their route. They walked in like they owned the place, shuffled
through the lobby and out into the courtyard to feast on mangoes.
The
spectacle, no doubt concerning to whoever was working the reception desk the
first time it happened, has become one of the lodge’s main draws, and attracts
crowds of tourists every year. According to the lodge, the group that makes the
annual stroll through the lobby includes three generations of one elephant
family, including their matriarch “Wonky Tusk” and the young “Lord Wellington,”
who was born on the lodge grounds in 2009.
Wildlife
cameraman Nathan Pilcher recently (2014) went to Mfuwe to see the elephants for
himself, and you can watch his short movie by clicking the following link! ---
December 14, 2015
The Elephants that came to dinner|Mfuwe Lodge, Zambia
Three-time Olympian Kimia Yousofi is running for the girls and women of Afghanistan
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Kimia Yousofi ran the 100-metres at the Olympics in a pedestrian 13.42 seconds, then spent so much longer than that in the mixed zone, delivering a poignant message of stolen freedom. That’s why she is here.
“I’m not for the result here. I’m here for Afghan girls. I feel responsibility for Afghan girls instead of Afghanistan because they can’t talk, they can’t have interview. They can’t do anything. They have to be silent. Why? No one can decide for others. I’m human. I decide what should I do. Not anyone else.”
On the back of her racing bib, she scrawled the words education, sport and our rights. She hopes that sign and her message resonates.
“I’m just saying that I think it’s true. I don’t know if it’s powerful or not. I’m not a politician. I’m not a politics person. I just do what I think is true. I can talk. I can talk with media. I can be voice of Afghan girls instead of Afghanistan.”
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