Jul 4, 2016 | Events and Giveaways, Fun Historical Facts
I interrupt my multi-part series in ancient and Medieval wonders for a quick nod to my friends over the Atlantic. In honor of today’s Independence Day, here is the amazing tale of one of the best-known symbols of all time: the dollar, or $. No keyboard is...
Jul 1, 2016 | Fun Historical Facts, Random Musings
Photo: Leiden, Bibliotheca Thysiana, Inv. nr. 2200 H. Photography Giulio Menna (@sexycodicology), courtesy of Erik Kwakkel May 31st, 1486 turned out to be an unseasonably hot day on the Rhine. Count Philip was holding court. A duke was droning on and on, and the Count...
Jun 29, 2016 | Fun Historical Facts, Random Musings
On January 8, 57 AD, Tibullus, a freed slave in London, promised to repay 105 denarii, a hefty sum, to another freed slave named Gratus. Meanwhile, one friend admonished another that he’s lent too much money and is being gossiped about. And a merchant was making a...
Jun 27, 2016 | Fun Historical Facts, Random Musings
Under the ancient oak, home to mighty Zeus, a priest holding a thin sheet of lead is waiting patiently for the widow before him to ask her question. She hesitates for a moment, listening to the rustling leaves over them. “It’s my job to interpret...
Jun 25, 2016 | Fun Historical Facts, My Publications, Random Musings
A few years ago, a forest fire ravaged the area where we live. A friend of mine was helping the firefighters when the ground gave way and his leg fell into a hole in the ground. A hole that turned out to be an ancient tomb, complete with offerings and bones. As this...
Jun 21, 2016 | Fun Historical Facts, Random Musings
Urvija Banerji of Atlas Obscura shared recently the unusual story of how a man’s desire to flaunt his wealth became a book of Psalms. Many people in the Middle Ages learned to read and worship by studying their psalters, or personal copies of the Book of Psalms,...
Jun 19, 2016 | Publishing
I often argue that we can learn a lot from the music industry. Namely, I see it as an indicator as to what to expect in a few years’ time. That’s why I was intrigued by a recent article in the Economist, detailing the state of today’s music. CDs vs...
Jun 17, 2016 | Random Musings
I love reading. When I read, I am transported to another world, as described and defined by the author. And yet, there is one thing I’d love for books to have: sound effects. One of the things I love about movies, ever since reading about the amazing work done...
Jun 15, 2016 | Maps and Infographics
Continuing on the subject of maps, I recently came across a fascinating post on Atlas Obscura, describing the various kinds of maps used by cartographers. As Harvard landscape architecture professor and author Jill Desimini explains, maps must retain geographic...
