Modern (1800 CE to Present)

The Snowman: A brief history of a winter entertainment

Dana Rovang

Dec 20, 2022
8 min

Antarctic

The Snowman: A brief history of a winter entertainment

A Brief History of Snowmen

Dana Rovang

Oct 7, 2022
8 min

History of Medicine

James Tilly Matthews: Bedlam patient and catalyst for "Madhouse" reform

The history of James Tilly Matthews and the reform of Bedlam Asylum.

The "weird" law against killing camels in Arizona

Dana Rovang

May 5, 2022
8 min

Africa

The "weird" law against killing camels in Arizona

Dana Rovang It is a true fact that there was once a law in Arizona making killing a camel a crime. But, what if you didn’t know what a...

"Save the Day": The American Civil War origins of a superhero phrase

Dana Rovang

Apr 19, 2022
7 min

Cultural History

"Save the Day": The American Civil War origins of a superhero phrase

Dana Rovang What would a superhero story be without someone swooping in at the last moment to “Save The Day?” Snatching victory from the...

Frances Perkins: Labor Secretary for FDR, and the brains behind the New Deal

Dana Rovang

Mar 22, 2022
7 min

Modern (1800 CE to Present)

Frances Perkins: Labor Secretary for FDR, and the brains behind the New Deal

While we take for granted the 40-hour work week and generally safe working conditions, not many know about the woman who spearheaded the...

Maude Callen: Nurse-Midwife provided medical care to the poorest in her community

Dana Rovang

Feb 15, 2022
4 min

Black History

Maude Callen: Nurse-Midwife provided medical care to the poorest in her community

In the mid-twentieth-century American South, Black women had limited access to medical services and maternal care. Many gave birth at...

Intrepid Arctic Explorer: Matthew A. Henson was the first Black man at the North Pole, Co-Discoverer

Dana Rovang

Jan 15, 2022
6 min

Arctic

Intrepid Arctic Explorer: Matthew A. Henson was the first Black man at the North Pole, Co-Discoverer

Icon of Arctic Explorer, Matthew A. Henson, depicting a person in a winter parka.

Julia Chen

Nov 22, 2021
3 min

History of Science

FRANCISCA ROJAS: GUILTY BY FINGERPRINT

First use of Forensic Fingerprinting in Buenos Aries, Argentina Fingerprinting was first used as a means of perpetrator identification in...

Hiram Bingham IV: US Diplomat who Saved Thousands in WWII

Herbert Wignall

Nov 22, 2021
3 min

War History

Hiram Bingham IV: US Diplomat who Saved Thousands in WWII

Hiram “Harry” Bingham IV (1903-1988) saved thousands of Jews and other "enemies" of Germany during the early years of WWII by using...

George Méliès: Film Effects Pioneer and Conjuror

Dana Rovang

Nov 22, 2021
2 min

Magicians

George Méliès: Film Effects Pioneer and Conjuror

In the fall of 1896, early filmmaker and performance magician, Georges Méliès, was making a short movie on a Paris street. He developed a...

Wingfoot Express Airship Disaster, Chicago 1919

Dana Rovang

Nov 22, 2021
2 min

History of Science

Wingfoot Express Airship Disaster, Chicago 1919

Almost two decades before the disaster of the LZ 189 Hindenburg Zeppelin (1937), Chicago witnessed the horrific destruction of the...

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Medal of Honor Recipient

Herbert Wignall

Nov 22, 2021
3 min

Women's History

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Medal of Honor Recipient

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker (1832-1919) was born on a farm in Oswego, New York in November 1832. She attended Syracuse Medical College,...

Dana Rovang

Nov 22, 2021
2 min

War History

Bushnell's Turtle

The American Revolutionary War marked a period of great expansion in martime history. One of the most significant developments was the...

Kate Shelley and the Great Train Rescue of 1881

Dana Rovang

Nov 22, 2021
2 min

Women's History

Kate Shelley and the Great Train Rescue of 1881

On 6 July 1881, a massive storm in Boone County, Iowa caused a flash flood. The flood washed out the support trestles for the train...

"Billy" Mitchell; or, How to Sink a Battleship

Herbert Wignall

Nov 22, 2021
2 min

War History

"Billy" Mitchell; or, How to Sink a Battleship

US Army General William “Billy” Mitchell (1879-1936) was the commander of the Army Air Services in WWI. After the war, Mitchell lobbied...

Adolphus Greely and the Lady Franklin Expedition

Herbert Wignall

Nov 22, 2021
2 min

Environmental History

Adolphus Greely and the Lady Franklin Expedition

In 1881, First Lieutenant Adolphus Greely was placed in command of the Lady Franklin Expedition aboard the ship Proteus. It was to...

Julienne Landsdown

Nov 19, 2021
2 min

War History

SABA SABA

Saba Saba (Seven Seven in Swahili) refers to the date of July 7, and it is a meaningful date in many parts of Africa. In Tanzania, the...

Marcie Holmes, PhD

Jul 17, 2015
16 min

War History

US Air Force Training

By Marcie Holmes, PhD MATCHING HUMANS TO MACHINES “There’s no such thing as a natural-born pilot.” - Chuck Yeager Good airplane pilots...

Michael Gott

Jul 16, 2015
5 min

War History

FUGO: Japanese Fire Balloons

THE FIRST INTERCONTINENTAL WEAPON PIGGYBACKED ON THE DISCOVERY OF THE JET STREAM The Fu-go “Windship Weapon” project was a World War II...

Dana Rovang

Jul 15, 2015
8 min

War History

RENATO LEVI

THE JEWISH DOUBLE-AGENT WAS ONE OF THE ALLIES' BEST KEPT SECRETS IN WWII Renato Levi (aka CHEESE, MR. ROSE, LAMBERT, EMILE, or ROBERTO)...

OBSCURE

HISTORIES

BRINGING HISTORY TO LIGHT

BRINGING HISTORY TO LIGHT
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