Published in History of Yesterday·PinnedMember-onlyAn Ugly Ending for the World’s Most BeautifulOlive Thomas remained in the limelight during her life and after it — She had the world at her feet. Olive Thomas became the newest member of a film acting dynasty in 1917, setting the stage for an ascent to dizzying heights of fame, and perhaps beyond. Her independence, fashion sense, and vivacity presaged the growth of the flapper of the 1920s. Her…History6 min readHistory6 min read
Published in The Collector·19 hours agoMember-onlyArt Recreates the Moment Nero Tried to Kill His Mother, AgrippinaGustav Wertheimer tackled the shocking subject through a painting — Rome’s history is full of outrageous moments. Its emperors were no strangers to violent actions, either. Caligula, Commodus, and Elagabalus are some of the more infamous rulers. Few have potent reputations that have endured like Nero’s. To this day, politicians compare opponents to him if they want to deride another’s…Art6 min readArt6 min read
Published in Fanfare·6 days agoMember-onlyThe Man of a Thousand Faces: Lon Chaney’s RiseHollywood’s chameleon transformed himself into various characters — Lon Chaney’s route to stardom is so unusual that it warrants attention. Many actors achieve fame due to their appearance, but Chaney did so while his looks morphed all the time. One quality did not change, though: his ability to inhabit a character. In effect, he was a forerunner of…Film6 min readFilm6 min read
Published in Invisible Illness·Dec 4Member-onlyMayu Iwatani Shut Out the World for Over 2 YearsDuring her childhood, the famous wrestler experienced trauma — Regret is a ubiquitous emotion in our lives. Everyone has lived through painful situations that shook their views, their entire world, to their foundations. Memory loops keep us hostage. Mayu Iwatani (岩谷 麻由) looks like a stranger to these emotions. Fans see the cheerful, mischievous, and courageous wrestler as a…Mental Health6 min readMental Health6 min read
Published in Lessons from History·Nov 26Member-onlyThomas Jefferson Rewrote the GospelsThe American Founding Father hid secrets from the public — An author of the Declaration of Independence, the third President of the United States, and a philosopher — Thomas Jefferson’s influence stretched into many spheres. In recent years, scholars have scrutinized other aspects of his life, such as his role as a slave owner. His relationship with Christianity has been…History5 min readHistory5 min read
Published in Counter Arts·Nov 25Member-onlyLesbian Pulp Art Drew Millions of EyesIn the ’50s and ’60s, art graced the covers of books that gave hope — Cheap paperback books, from publishers such as Penguin and Pocket Books, sparked a reading revolution in the 1930s. Stands with inexpensive texts appeared in drugstores, grocery stores, and airports across the world. The new competitive market gave rise to various pulp stories, which sought to outdo each other with lurid…Art6 min readArt6 min read
Published in CrimeBeat·Nov 11Member-onlyMamie Stuart Received Her Funeral 100 Years LaterBigamy, glamor, and mystery made this the front-page case of its day — Sensationalist reporting often turns a tragedy into a media event. Victim’s lives become targets of gossip, so the true story becomes encircled by speculation, embellishment, and inaccuracies. Mamie Stuart’s disappearance, of December 1919, was one of the most discussed British cases of its age. …True Crime5 min readTrue Crime5 min read
Published in Fanfare·Nov 4Member-onlyLon Chaney Suffered to Create ‘The Penalty’The crime thriller shows a different side of San Francisco — Certain films are enigmas. They are both innovative and of their time. These are sometimes the most surprising, since the flashes of insight or originality streak across a darkened sky. The Penalty (1920) is this and much more. If one reads the plot summary, certain silent film tropes might pop…Film5 min readFilm5 min read
Oct 30Member-onlyWisconsin’s John Clinton Doe Received His Real IdentityIn 2022, new information altered established theories — Early adulthood is one of life’s crossroads. During this period, an uncertain future stretches out into the distance. Choices open or close possibilities. Some, such as the John Clinton Doe, never get to experience these changes, though. …True Crime5 min readTrue Crime5 min read
Published in Fanfare·Oct 23Member-only‘Design for Dreaming’ Imagined a 1950s FutureThe short film catapulted its present into a sci-fi world — Many science fiction stories of the 1950s were hopeful about the potential benefits of future technology. In fact, they were often giddy with excitement. Companies were not immune from it, either. This is apparent in the 1956 short film Design for Dreaming, which was created by General Motors to showcase…Film5 min readFilm5 min read
