One of the stories on the site that gets a lot of attention is the newsletter I wrote about Office Life–what it was like in the past.
Many of the people who locate the newsletter have come there to read about Bette Nesmith Graham, the inventor of Liquid Paper. (She’s the second story.)
Other than the frustrations of typewriters, what else do you remember about offices of the past?
Office Machines and Practices of the Past Read More »
The very name, Alcatraz, stirs fear and a twinge of excitement at the thought of the stories of the men incarcerated there. From 1934 to 1963 Alcatraz Island served as the first maximum security federal prison in the United States. It was hoped that the location would make it escape-proof, and therefore, a good place to put the worst-of-the-worst.
Exhibit About Alcatraz Currently Open on Ellis Island Read More »
“Let’s stop for a map,” were words I heard my father say many times as I rode in the backseat of our family car.
Young people would be amazed to learn that there was a time when drivers had to navigate on their own, without the aid of a GPS unit. We couldn’t even “google” driving directions for where we were going–we had to figure it out.
And if the distances were far, we had to wait to pick up a map as we drove into each new part of the country.
This month’s newsletter tells of early “route guides” and early maps… and why and when gas stations stopped giving out maps for free. Check it out: Before GPS: Road Maps.
Before GPS Units, We Used Maps Read More »
Usually when I write, I am thinking “only in America.” This morning I am thinking, “Only in L.A.”
It is October 19 and this first photo is typical of the scene in most communities right now.
But across the street is this house… All set for a winter time commercial. I assume they will take down the witch who knocked herself out on the front door, and I’m not quite certain why they didn’t cover the bushes with cotton when they did the other prep, but over the course of the day, I’ll be checking it out.
There’s something magical about living where the town’s business centers on creating magic. One day I may just take all this in stride but right now I find it great fun to open the door to something totally new happening down the block.
So Happy Whatever Holiday from Hollywood!
This photo shows the clear line between the neighbors’ home and the home for the commercial.
Popeye is one of the most famous cartoon characters from the 1930s but unknown to most people is the fact that Olive Oyl, who eventually becomes his ‘sweet patootie,’ preceded him in the funny papers by a good ten years.
Olive Oyl: Popeye was an Afterthought Read More »
With Steve Jobs’ death this evening, the world has lost a genius. The innovations created and pushed forward by Apple are nothing short of amazing. While the iPhone was just one of many inventions, 2011 is certainly the year of iPhone dominance so it’s a good time to remind Americans how far we have come since the invention of the first cell phone in 1973.
To read about Martin Cooper’s invention, click through to “Can You Hear Me Now? The Story Behind the First Cell Phone.” And for more information about “phones of old” check out the newsletter “Thinking Back to Number Please.”
Thank you to Steve Jobs for all he conceived of that advanced communication and technology.
Steve Jobs Changed the World: Consider the State of Cell Phone Technology in 1973 Read More »
