Figures
Why Did the Best Surgeon in History Kill Most of His Patients? Robert Liston, The Story of Surgery's Evolution
Surgery isn’t something many of us look forward to. The very thought of it brings shudders, unless you're the woman who made headlines for spending millions to look like a cat. Yet, for most of us, the notion of going under the knife is something we dread. However, we should be thankful that we live in an era where anesthesia and hygiene are both considered essential practices in medicine. Imagine, for a moment, a time where surgery meant being wide awake, feeling every agonizing cut and incision, as a surgeon hacked through your body with a dirty saw. The terror of such an experience was the unfortunate reality of surgery in Victorian England.
By Marveline Merababout a year ago in History
Tory Story
Having been enthralled with genealogy and my DNA results, I became a master sleuth at hunting for my ancestors and tracking down their stories. I wanted to know why they came to America, their background information, and what they accomplished. As I did, a vivid textbook of American history was compiled. It was my history. My facts.
By Shirley Belkabout a year ago in History
History's Footprints
History is a vast tapestry woven with countless events, each leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of our existence. From groundbreaking discoveries to pivotal moments of triumph and tragedy, the past is replete with stories that have shaped the world we live in today. This article delves into some of these remarkable events, tracing the footprints of history and exploring their enduring impact on our society.
By Sazeeb Chowduryabout a year ago in History
Step Inside the Weirdest Cult in History: Pythagoras
Many of us grew up with a favorite number. It was a bit of a necessity, really. "What's your favorite number?" was one of those important questions kids used to decide if others were worthy of their time, along with "Who's your favorite Ninja Turtle?" and "Are you with the Rebellion or the Empire?" Not everyone grows out of it. Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo, has a thing for highly divisible numbers like 12. People around the world seem to be drawn to the number seven, and we all know someone who has to have the volume set to an even number.
By Marveline Merababout a year ago in History
How a Man Escaped Prison By Melting Iron Bars With Soup: The Great Escapes of Yoshie Shiratori
When you think of a classic prison escape, you might picture desperate inmates feverishly filing away at the bars of their cell windows, spotlights sweeping across the prison yard, and daring criminals clambering over tall walls. Or maybe even an improbably long tunnel hidden behind a poster of a 1940s film icon. But one thing you’re less likely to picture in this daring scenario is a steaming hot bowl of miso soup. Yet, for Japanese anti-hero Yoshie Shiratori, miso soup was the key to one of the most ingenious prison escapes in history.
By Marveline Merababout a year ago in History
Nobody Knows How Houdini Died
In late 19th-century America, contacting the spirit world became a profitable enterprise. Séances and paranormal exhibitions were popular, with countless people claiming to possess a unique connection to the afterlife. Among the most notorious were the Davenport Brothers, who created a spectacle they called The Box Illusion, an elaborate trick that they insisted offered undeniable proof of their ability to commune with the dead.
By Marveline Merababout a year ago in History
How Did This Man Invade the British Navy Using a Wig? Horace de Vere Cole and the Dreadnought Hoax
We all love a good prank. There's nothing quite like the mix of physical and psychological torment we inflict on our friends for a light bit of entertainment. From cling film over the toilet seat to the perfect jump scare that sends your girlfriend into cardiac arrest, pranking is an age-old pastime that never fails to amuse. But did you know that one of history's greatest pranksters didn't come from the age of social media or viral videos? In fact, the legendary prankster I'm talking about was born almost 150 years ago and was a member of Britain's elite social circles!
By Marveline Merababout a year ago in History
The Mummified Outlaw's 65-Year Journey Across America: A Tale of Elmer McCurdy
In December of 1976, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office found itself entangled in a bizarre case that would befit any Hollywood script. Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the coroner known for his post-mortems of stars like Marilyn Monroe and Natalie Wood, was about to face a corpse unlike any he had seen before. This particular body weighed a mere 23 kilograms and looked as shriveled as a prune left out in the sun. To add to the strangeness, it was dressed in a cowboy outfit and spray-painted a vibrant neon orange, making it a shocking sight, even by Hollywood standards.
By Marveline Merababout a year ago in History
He Had The Most Incredible Mind In History, Until This Happened: The Rise and Fall of Bobby Fischer
Some people are born to do one thing, and one thing only. Lionel Messi was meant to be a footballer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was made to write music, and Albert Einstein was born to change our understanding of the universe. Robert James Fischer? He was placed on planet Earth to play chess. The man was, quite simply, a phenomenon. He broke every record in the book during a meteoric rise to the top of his sport—or should we say, game. Look, I don't know what it is, but he was good at it... so good, that at the peak of his powers, American prodigy Bobby Fischer single-handedly took on the might of the Soviet chess machine—a state-sponsored juggernaut that had monopolized international chess for two and a half decades—and won.
By Marveline Merababout a year ago in History
Unravelling the Mystery of the Infantorium: The Remarkable Story of Dr. Martin Cooney
In the grand tapestry of human history, few tales are as remarkable and thought-provoking as that of Dr. Martin Cooney. Nestled amidst the vibrant chaos of Coney Island, Cooney established a revolutionary neonatal care unit in the early 20th century, forever altering the landscape of infant healthcare. His journey not only sheds light on the challenges faced by premature infants but also highlights the cultural and medical landscapes of a bygone era.
By Marveline Merababout a year ago in History
