Recent Posts
Horseshoes Made Out of Paper, Turpentine, and Cement
In an unusual twist on traditional blacksmithing, some of Chicago’s horse owners were outfitting their steeds with paper horseshoes. Introduced by a German inventor and…
Native American Calendar of the Months as Published in 1919
The following article, dated 1919, provides a look at one of the Native American calendars provided by a veteran chief in Canada. The Indians’ Calendar…
Symbolism of the Bee: From Hard Work to Spiritual Messenger
Bees are a popular emblem that are found on dish ware, paper products, and are worn as charms, but what does the buzzy bee symbolize?…
Mysterious Green Bottle With Masonic Symbols Found Buried at Cornerstone
In April 1919, a curious discovery at an armory building in Springfield (Massachusetts?) captivated local antiquarians—a mysterious green bottle buried at a cornerstone. It featured…
Who were the Knights of the Round Table?
The Knights of the Round Table were the legendary knights serving King Arthur in Arthurian legend. They were the best knights in Arthur’s kingdom, renowned…
Whiskers at a Price: 3 Rulers Who Imposed Taxes on Beards
When it comes to quirky historical taxation, few measures are as peculiar as the beard tax. Though not common, a few bold rulers saw fit…
Edgefield Man Fatally Struck by Electric Car in Akron, Skull Crushed
An electric car fatally struck an Edgefield, Ohio man in 1904. I’m posting this here because we seem to forget that early cars were electric…
6 Beard Superstitions From Around the World
Beards have been surrounded by a myriad of superstitions and cultural beliefs throughout history, often symbolizing wisdom, strength, and virility. Below are six of the…
Women in Atlantic City Wear Birdcages as Fashion Accessories
Wearing birdcages, especially small ones as accessories, was a unique and curious fashion trend in the early 20th century. This quirky fashion statement reflected the…
Anarchist Becky Edelson Faced Forcible Feeding with Rubber Hose as Hunger Strike Continued
The following 1914 news report tells of an accused anarchist who was arrested and then refused to eat. The report details how they planned to…