If you haven’t already followed Imaginary Cities on Twitter @Oniropolis then you should right away! This is a curated treasure trove of architectural meanderings and inspiring cityscapes which have never existed other than in creative people’s minds. Imaginary Cities are where the imagined possibilities of tech, science fiction, futurism and 80’s pop culture are smashedContinue reading “Dürer, Replicants and Flying Cars: Exploring Impressive Imaginary Cities with @Oniropolis”
Category Archives: History
Travel: A summer trip to the Renaissance fortress and city of Zamość
We visited Zamość Fortress (Polish: Twierdza Zamość) and town on one of those perfect Polish summer days where the sun and heat pelted down and made everything bright and vivid. Locals and visitors in this far south eastern city of Poland seemed to have a spring in their step on this fine day and everyoneContinue reading “Travel: A summer trip to the Renaissance fortress and city of Zamość”
Medieval Icelandic Sagas: Tales of Blood Feuds, Dangerous Women and Warriors
In this series of podcasts, Australian writer and broadcaster Richard Fidler and his friend, Icelandic writer Kári Gíslason travel to Iceland to regail us with the stories of the ancient Vikings; tales of blood feuds, dangerous women, fugitives and warrior poets. They also go to the windswept country to discover more about Kari’s own mysterious origins.Continue reading “Medieval Icelandic Sagas: Tales of Blood Feuds, Dangerous Women and Warriors”
The Vintage Restart Page
Are you lonely and nostalgic for all of the crappy, interminably slow and dull-as-dishwater computers that you have possessed in the past. If you answered yes then enter into the timewarp that is the Vintage Restart Page. This features all of the crappy clip art graphics and quaintly exaggerated shadowing on buttons that you haveContinue reading “The Vintage Restart Page”
If you look deeply enough…this internet k-hole will look back at you
For kids of the 70’s and 80’s, the internet was nothing but a sparkle in Tim Berners-Lee’s eyes. This meant that every bad mullet, heavy kohl eyeliner and patched denim jacket, wood panelled wall and piece of bamboo furniture could be forgiven…until now. About five years ago the Internet K-hole was born. It unveiled anContinue reading “If you look deeply enough…this internet k-hole will look back at you “
A watermelon is never simply a watermelon
Contrary to what you might think, watermelons looked very different (and probably tasted better) in the Renaissance compared to today. Why exactly? Farming practices have changed and genetically modified food has modified the humble watermelon out of its original state of being. Take a look at this renaissance painting by Giovanni Stanci, courtesy of ChristiesContinue reading “A watermelon is never simply a watermelon”
British Roundabout Porn and The Battle of Hastings
In Britain there is a unique subset of people who are fascinated and obsessed with roundabouts. Not your average concrete roundabouts with some paving or a few weeds in the middle. But rather your fancy, pond or windmill in the centre roundabouts. A few years back, the Time Team revealed that a key point in theContinue reading “British Roundabout Porn and The Battle of Hastings”
The story of a mysterious mermaid in Milford Haven 1795 A.D.
The 18th century was a time of British exploration, rapidly growing technology and restless souls wanting to travel. Many people from the well-to-do class including a woman called Mrs. Morgan wrote of her adventures and then had it all conveniently bundled, printed and distributed as Mrs. Morgan’s Tour of Milford Haven, published in 1795 and thenContinue reading “The story of a mysterious mermaid in Milford Haven 1795 A.D.”
What’s Your Favourite Smell? Mine Is Petrichor
So basically, the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) in Australia have invented a truckload of good things. Insect repellent was one – out of necessity in Australia no doubt. Polymer banknotes was another, and so was WiFi. But probably their most esoteric and weird invention was a word to describe a smell. Petrichor.Continue reading “What’s Your Favourite Smell? Mine Is Petrichor”
The World of Tomorrow – Yesterday: The World’s Fair in 1939, New York
This bright bold fold-out map from the World’s Fair in 1939 along with postcards, pictures and a documentary speak volumes about a new optimism following the bleakness of the Depression and a blind faith in technology and all of the hopes and possibilities of the future. Click image to see larger detailed version. Watch anContinue reading “The World of Tomorrow – Yesterday: The World’s Fair in 1939, New York”
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