posts tagged with: history
Edison was known to electrocute animals to demonstrate the dangers of Tesla’s alternating current. He seemed to believe that this was a valid argument for direct current, which he preferred despite it being less practical for wide-spread use. While Edison’s insanity is certainly good for a laugh,
At the end of a busy day filled with hubris and animal execution, wouldn’t you like to relax to a good light show and musical performance? I know I would! Luckily for us, Tesla not only developed the better method of current, but also made some pretty ingenious devices which to this day people are still finding new uses for.
The tesla coil above is not dancing along to the music; it is making the music. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Edison! (Video via The Miskatonic Archive, where you can see some more of the same, including some musical tesla coils frolicking with a jedi.)
Ironically, while people eventually came to their senses and agreed that Tesla’s mode of current was the more practical of the two, and despite the fact that Tesla invented radio and at the time of his death was working on a death ray for national defense, Tesla died impoverished and alone and is unknown to all but the cognisanti today; while Edison’s name is forever driven into the heads of school children.
On another note, I think a musical tesla coil would make a really awesome, yet highly impractical, steampunk doorbell. Just the image of opening the door to find solicitors have soiled themselves in abject terror and run from the premises makes me giggle like a schoolgirl.
Part 1:
Part 2:
From the creator:
A 12 minute short depicting the origin of “The Bat-Man” and introducing his amazing skills and abilities… Bob Kane and Bill Finger drew on a lot of silent films to create Batman, and I’ve always wanted to give the story a try using silent film techniques. What with that whole copyright/waste of time thing, you’ll have to settle for this collage. Here are the original influences re-arranged to tell Bruce Wayne’s story and his crusade against crime. A bit of fun not intended for sale or commercial exploitation… what with the huge commercial value of silent films and everything.
Sources used:
THE BAT (1926)
THE MAN WHO LAUGHS (1928)
THE CABINET OF DOCTOR CALIGARI (1920)
Edison’s FRANKENSTEIN (1910)
THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ (1910)
Via Neatorama
According to Consumerist, this would surely be bad. That sucks, I guess, but I was kinda already betting on imminent inevitable economic and societal disaster and downfall.
More interesting to me at the moment is the graphic used to show our impending doom: SkiFree! Squee! Clearly, I’m perfectly okay with doom providing it comes with classic computer game references.
I’ve known about the Wilhelm scream for ages, but it’s surprising how many people are unaware of its existence, despite having likely heard it dozens, if not hundreds, of times. This is especially odd considering what a very, very, silly scream it is. Now I go to see movies and often guffaw in the middle of action scenes when I notice a Wilhelm. Depending on the film, this inside joke may be the only thing that makes the movie theater experience worth experiencing.
Here are some scenes of the Wilhelm in action, via videosift:
Now you too can get some snarky pleasure out of films like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Via Neatorama, a mashup of Russian dance and rap, which just goes to show how everything old is new again.
Headless Historicals is the lamest thing since buying (not making!) a duct tape wallet.
While the concept is cool, any self-respecting fan of the macabre would make their own, a la Wednesday Addams.
Via the J-Walk blog and various other places.
If you’ve heard the recording this is based on, you’ll realize just how brilliant this Pinky and the Brain skit is.
Form VideoSift, of course.
I just got a cool new Star of David (though I enjoy calling it a hexacle) pendant in the commons. I’m not particularly Jewish (1/8 on my father’s side, so it apparently doesn’t count for squat; plus, I’m an atheist and all), but the way I see it- it’s no different than a non-christian wearing a cross for the purposes of fashion- and a lot more unique, at that. Here it is:
Hey, Siouxsie did it! Sure, she was retaliating against the skinheads and neo-nazis who thought she was supporting their cause (which was her own fault, really), but I still think her response was awesome. Speaking of which, I intend to purchase this shirt (the “Israel” one, about 75% down the page) once it comes back in stock, for similar reasons, despite my disdain of band shirts in general.