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Snapshot 1946… The Apple Watch prototype in print…
February 18, 2019 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The following snapshot comes from the Chicago Sunday Tribune, January 13, 1946. Does Apple pay Dick Tracy’s estate royalties?
Revisiting “The Crime of the Century” through the reporting of the Chicago Tribune…
December 20, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Question: What do you get when you cross The Chicago Tribune with “The Crime of the Century”?
The Chicago Tribune, self-described as “The World’s Greatest Newspaper,” earned a reputation for having dramatic, timely headlines. In this regards, they are perhaps 2nd to none. However, they are also well-known for what may very well be the greatest mistake in front-page headline news: “DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.” While certainly the most recognized, it was not the Chicago Tribune’s 1st major faux pa. Approximately 16 years earlier, in an effort to be at the forefront of breaking news in regards to “The Crime of the Century,” they printed the dramatic headline: “REPORT ‘LINDY BABY HOME’.” Sadly this would prove to be a false, unsubstantiated report (aka, “fake news”) – as the Lindbergh baby would be found dead a little more than a month later. It sure goes to show how even the “best of the best” can make mistakes – a good lesson in humility for all of us.
They Put It In Print… Bonnie Parker’s Prophetic Poem…
November 23, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Probably the most infamous, yet often romanticized outlaw couple is Bonnie and Clyde. While many are familiar with a host of the exploits and eventual demise, few are aware of a poem which Bonnie wrote which in retrospect appears quite prophetic. This post-death printing appeared in the Chicago Daily Tribune on May 25, 1934 – two days after her death:
Who should have the right to vote? Food for thought…
November 5, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Who should have the right to vote? Should Native Americans? Blacks? Poor Whites? Women? Citizens who either don’t own land or who are unemployed (i.e., don’t pay taxes)? Although all of these at one time did not have the right to vote, today, we all (hopefully) unanimously agree the answer is a resounding YES – and thankfully, although it took time, they now can. However, although we are unified in our appreciation that all citizens should be granted this privilege, is there a responsibility that comes with this right – a civic duty to not only exercise this “right”, but to do so as an informed voter? THE DAILY GRAPHIC’s (New York) November 2, 1875 illustrated front page weighed in on this issue with a degree of sarcasm. Enjoy.
Fake News (?)… in 1841…
October 26, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
Perhaps you were unawares, but Niagara Falls is no more – or so sayeth an article in the Louisville Weekly Journal dated March 3, 1841. I wonder what I was looking at just a few years back. Hmmmm. 
A tad bit premature… The Traveler…
September 20, 2018 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
A few days ago my journey took me to New York City by the way of the New York Spectator dated September 15, 1818. It is there I found the announcement “Death of Col. Daniel Boon (Boone),” which included in part: “As he lived so he died, with his gun in his hand… rode to a deer-lick, seated himself within a blind raised to conceal him.. while setting thus concealed… without pain, he breathed out his last so gently, that when he found next day by this friends… he looked as if alive…”
Hmmm, maybe he truly was still alive as he did not die until two years later on September 26, 1820!
~The Traveler
The Panama Canal Opens in 1914… a question…
September 10, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Many are familiar with the Panama Canal and its profound impact on international trade and travel, however, few are aware of the great cost paid – in effort, dollars, and loss of life, in order to bring it to fruition. Still, after decades of suffocating labor, the canal opened in 1914. Trivia buffs may know of the Alexandre La Valley (a floating crane) – which became the first self-propelled vessel to pass from one end to the other , and others are able to recall the United States steamship, Ancon, as being the first large vessel to make the trip.
Trivia Challenge: What about the impact of the canal on military interests? While the intention of the canal was one of peace, which country has the distinction of being the first to have one of its warships pass through the canal? After you’ve made your best guess, go to the August 18, 1914 Boston Evening Transcript to see if any of you are correct. If so, feel free to brag about your knowledge by contacting me through e-mail. Good luck. To-date, “0” people have guessed correctly.
Surprise! Mary really did have a little lamb…
August 13, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
We recently came across an article in The Farview Echo (an interesting title in and of itself) which caught our attention. It certainly causes one to ponder how many other nursery rhymes and children’s songs have roots in historical facts and/or events. Apparently Ring Around the Rosie (Ring a Ring o’ Roses) is not the only such ditty with a past. Enjoy.
Israeli Statehood – You can learn something new every day…
July 9, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Which major power was the first to recognize the Statehood of Israel? Perhaps it was my arrogance, naivety, or a blend of both which led me to believe the United States would hold this position, but the err in my thinking was brought to light as I read a front page article in The Raleigh Times (May 18, 1948), which revealed that although the U.S. was the first to do so vocally, the first country to formally recognize Israeli Statehood was Russia. As a matter of fact, Venezuela, Romania, France, and a host of other countries formalized their recognition before the United States, who didn’t do so formally until the end of January – nearly 9 months later. If this were the Olympics, the United States, holding the 20th position, would be in the stands watching Russia, the Czech Republic, and Nicaragua receive their medals on the victor’s stand.
The Traveler… early Sodoku?…
July 2, 2018 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today’s journey took me to London, England, by the means of The Gentleman’s Magazine of July, 1768. I found an interesting plate entitled “A Magic Square of Squares” with an accompanying article “Surprising Properties of Numbers placed in Dr. Franklin’s Magic Square of Squares”. This is an interesting puzzle by Benjamin Franklin. “The great square is divided into 256 small squares, in which all the numbers from 1 to 256 are placed in 16 columns, which may be taken either horizontally or vertically. The properties are as follows: 1. The sum of the 16 numbers in each column vertical or horizontal, is 2056. 2. Every half column, vertical and horizontal, makes 1028, or half 2056. 3 Half a diagonal ascending, added to half a diagonal descending, makes 2056; taking these half diagonals from the ends of any side of the square to the middle thereof, and so reckoning them either upward or downward; or sidewise from left to right hand, or from right to left…”
The information continues with this sounding like a very early Sodoku puzzle!
~The Traveler