top of page


The Lost Art of Cassette Design
Steve Vistaunet’s Pinterest is a treasure-trove of photos of exuberant cassette spine designs from the gilded age of the mix-tape, ranging from the hand-drawn to early desktop publishing experiments.


Album Covers With Deceased Band Members Removed
Death is a natural conclusion to all life, yet when it claims our beloved entertainment icons, disbelief often follows. From John Lennon to Jim Morrison and Elvis Presley, their passing leaves an indelible mark, reminding us of their lasting impact Artists Jean-Marie Delbes and Hatim El Hihi have recreated a number of well known album covers with deceased band members removed. (Some will need to be updated, sadly)


The USS Indianapolis Monologue: Unravelling the Origins of Quint’s Chilling Speech in Jaws
One of the key and most chilling moments in the film Jaws comes when Shaw's character Quint delivers a harrowing four-minute monologue...


People That Found Themselves In Museums.
If I was ever confronted with my likeness in a museum I would freak.


Richard Francis Burton: The Victorian Adventurer And Spy Who Brought The Kama Sutra To The West
Born in 1821, Sir Richard Francis Burton was a renowned British explorer, writer, orientalist scholar, and soldier. He gained fame for his extensive travels and explorations across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, showcasing an exceptional command of languages and deep understanding of diverse cultures. It is said that Burton was proficient in 29 languages. Among Burton's most notable accomplishments are his documented pilgrimage to Mecca in disguise, a daring feat during a ti


The Teenager Who Saved A Man With An SS Tattoo
In 1996, a stirring incident unfolded as a black teenager bravely shielded a white man from an enraged mob, mistaken in their belief that he supported the racist Ku Klux Klan. This act of remarkable courage and empathy continues to inspire people today. Keshia Thomas, then 18 years old, found herself in her hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan, during a Ku Klux Klan rally. Ann Arbor, renowned for its liberal ideals, progressive values, and diverse community, was an unlikely choice


Henry Cyril Paget: The Dancing Marquess of Anglesey
Discover the wild life of the “Dancing Marquess” of Anglesey, who burned through £110,000 a year (£13million in 2024) on costumes, theatrics, and indulgence in Victorian Britain and ended up with debts amounting to £550,000 (£60 miliion in 2024)


Photoshop Used In Mysterious Ways: Musicians With Their Younger Selves
A bit more than a 10 year challenge, these images are strangely intriguing. I've no idea why though. The brilliance of images showcasing famous musicians photoshopped alongside their younger selves lies in their ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and reflection, capturing the essence of an artist's journey through time. These juxtapositions offer a visually striking glimpse into the evolution of iconic figures, highlighting the passage of years and the transformation of th


Captain Blood, The Man Who Stole the Crown Jewels – and Got Away With It
447 years ago, in an event that seems less like real history and more like a Monty Python sketch, a small band of men actually stole the...


Native Americans Acknowledged 5 Genders, And Then European Christians Showed Up.
Before European contact reshaped the continent and its many cultures, Native American societies offered a markedly different view of...


The Magnificent 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe From The Ralph Lauren Collection
Renowned fashion mogul Ralph Lauren proudly possesses one of Britain's most distinguished automotive treasures – the 1938 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic Coupe, a masterpiece crafted by the visionary Jean Bugatti, scion of the renowned automaker Ettore. This exquisite vehicle stands as a testament to unparalleled beauty and engineering brilliance, commanding a staggering £30 million valuation. But what makes this automotive marvel so coveted? Beyond its sheer aesthetic allure, having g


Henry Morton Stanley And His Travels In The Congo.
It was the year 1887, and Henry Morton Stanley was embarking on a journey up the Congo River, during this expedition he unwittingly set in motion a disastrous experiment. This expedition marked his third foray into Africa, a continent that had already etched his name in history. His initial voyage in 1871, as a journalist for an American newspaper, had immortalized him with the iconic words, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" Now, at the age of 46, Stanley found himself leading ye


Jimmy Page Describes the Creation of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”
Despite the well-deserved praise Jimmy Page receives for his innovative rock-blues shredding technique, including his violin-bowed walls of noise and fast-paced licks, it's easy to overlook his exceptional skill as a rhythm player. The rough mix of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”---which chugs along without the studio version’s signature stock car-engine sound in the refrain---brings Page’s rhythms to the fore. The song's production also demonstrates Page’s skill in the s


The Garroting Panic of Victorian London
From the fantastic website History Bones , here's a little insight into London of the past. While you're here, do have a look at the History Bones Instagram right here. 19th Century Victorian London saw its share of violence. In the poorer areas, overcrowding and lack of jobs sent crime skyrocketing. Garroting (strangulation with a ligature) was a popular method of attacking someone. It got to a point where folks thought ruffians were around every corner ready to pounce.


Hear Dylan Thomas Recite His Classic Poem, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”
As a young child, Dylan Thomas enjoyed listening to his father, David John Thomas, reading Shakespeare to him before bedtime. Despite his...


When Aldous Huxley Was Dying And Took LSD in His Final Hours And Had The 'Most Beautiful Death'
Novelist Aldous Huxley, known for his work "Brave New World," received a cancer diagnosis in 1960, leading to a gradual decline in his health. As he lay on his deathbed in November 1963, Aldous, who had long been intrigued by the effects of psychedelic drugs after first experiencing mescaline in 1953, requested his wife Laura to give him LSD just before passing away. Laura, his wife, agreed to his request. Shortly after Aldous's death, Laura penned a poignant and detailed let


This Timelapse Animation Lets You See the Rise of Cities Across the Globe, from 3700 BC to 2000 AD
In 2016, a research project led by Yale developed a groundbreaking dataset that documented the evolution of urban settlements over a...


The Collyer Brothers: A Tragic Legacy of Hoarding
The tragic tale of the Collyer brothers stands as one of the most bewildering and distressing accounts of compulsive hoarding in history. Known for their obsessive collection of an unimaginable array of objects and their lives reclusive in squalor, Homer and Langley Collyer have become synonymous with the dark, isolating nature of extreme hoarding. Their story is a cautionary reflection on how obsession and mental illness can lead to an insurmountable downfall. The Early Year


Before The Internet, What People Asked New York Public Library's Librarians?
Before the advent of the Internet and Google, the primary method of seeking answers to urgent inquiries was by visiting the local library and consulting the knowledgeable librarian. In recent years, a collection of cards with queries directed to the librarian by patrons of the New York Public Library was unearthed by the staff. These queries were submitted either in person or via telephone. The telephone "ask a librarian" service was established in 1967 and remains operationa


The Frost Fairs of River Thames
During the period spanning from the 13th to the 19th centuries, the northern hemisphere experienced a period known as the “Little Ice Age”. This era was characterised by a global drop in temperatures, leading to cold and wet summers, as well as colder, longer, and harsher winters. The Swiss Alps witnessed encroaching glaciers that destroyed farmlands and villages. Navigation in Great Britain and the Netherlands was hindered by frequent freezing of canals and rivers. Greenland


Queen Elizabeth’s Childhood Playhouse
Located in the garden of Windsor's Royal Lodge in Berkshire, England, there is a small thatched cottage with white-washed walls, hidden from public sight. Known as the Little House or Y Bwthyn Bach, this charming structure has served as a playhouse for the Queen and royal children for over 90 years The playhouse was gifted to Princess Elizabeth and her sister Margaret in March 1932 by 'the people of Wales' for Elizabeth's sixth birthday. At that time, Elizabeth's parents wer


Kaspar the Savoy Cat: A Mascot of Tradition and Mystery
At the heart of London’s luxury, nestled by the Thames, stands the renowned Savoy Hotel—a place rich with history, grandeur, and...


The Daring Escapes of Henri Charrière: The Real Papillon
Henri Charrière, a man whose life story blurs the lines between fact and legend, etched his name into history through a series of audacious prison escapes and his subsequent fight for freedom. Born in 1906 in southern France, Charrière’s life became the embodiment of adventure and resilience, immortalised in his autobiography Papillon. Even if only half of his exploits were true, Charrière’s tale still stands as one of the most daring in modern history. From his criminal root
bottom of page

