Google Books now has an amazing collection of early National Geographic volumes spanning the first several decades of the Society’s history (NGS was founded in 1888). The important part: all of them are free and can be downloaded in either pdf or epub formats.
The first ones – Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume [...]
Posted in Culture | Also tagged National Geographic |
From Popular Science, August 1937.
Posted in Culture, Men's Clothing | Also tagged How To |
I recently had the opportunity to try out curling for the first time, the sport where teams of players attempt to slide and position 42 pound granite stones in a certain way over ice. Going into it I had some misgivings, but it ended up being a lot of fun and there is quite [...]
Posted in Culture | Also tagged Curling, LIFE, Seattle |
Via Sartorially Inclined. See more on life.com.
For context, you should also read the original article that the pictures were shot for: LIFE Issue Jul 12, 1963
In the following issue that was published that year, there were some humorous letters to the editor in regards to the article.
Posted in Culture | Also tagged LIFE, Steve McQueen |
Found in an old issue of New York Magazine. Ralph Lauren reminisces about his upbringing, getting his start in fashion, and Brooks Brothers.
Some quotes:
Q: And where did you get the notion of Polo as an appropriate name?
A: I’ve always liked sports and athletics, and name were not important to me. I [...]
Posted in Men's Clothing | Also tagged Ralph Lauren |
It was recently reported that a team sponsored by Whyte & Mackay had recovered several cases of whisky left behind by Shackleton and his crew in Antarctica (they will apparently try to recreate the particular batch found). The fascinating story led me to spend part of this last week reading Shackleton’s book on his [...]
Posted in Books, Culture | Also tagged LIFE |
From 1903 and 1893 respectively.
Yes, that second one is real.
Posted in Culture, Men's Clothing | Also tagged Levi's |
For the coffee snobs, here is a remarkable book on the subject of the drink written in 1922. Topics include its history in different regions from the time, coffee preparation and techniques, chemistry, and industry information. Despite its age, much of the knowledge is still current.
From the foreword:
Civilization in its onward [...]
Posted in Books, Culture | Also tagged Coffee |
First written in 1914 by Captain James Moss, the manual was intended as a be-all resource for the training of new cadets and soldiers. Topics include drill formation, fitness, combat with bayonets, first aid, map/compass reading, and trench warfare.
Posted in Culture | Tagged Google Books
Written in 1966 by Steve McQueen for Popular Science, he reviews several motorcycles out in the desert.
Over the weekend, it was reported that up to 300,000 people in England came out to support the Boxing Day fox hunts which is now seen as an important tradition. Controversies aside, the sport is largely about the community, the thrill of riding horses around in the field all day, and having a few [...]
Posted in Culture, Men's Clothing | Also tagged LIFE |
Published in a book covering all aspects of the American shoe industry pre WW1. Many of these steps are still done today, and possibly on the very same machines.