1. Gustav Mesmer and his umbrella helicopter
Gustav Mesmer (1903–1994) was a German inventor of experimental human-powered flying machines, often referred to in the press as “the Icarus of Lautertal.” He has been championed by curators as an outsider artist, while his theories about improving aerodynamics through wing and sail piercings have been of interest to scientists. He was committed to a mental home after disrupting a local church service and spent a total of 35 years in mental institutions before finally being released in 1964.
Find his story on Wikipedia.
2. Kuphar Boats of Iraq
Known also as a kuphar and by various alternate spellings, the quffa was described in the 5th century BCE by Herodotus, who stated that they were built in Armenia for one-way trading trips on the Euphrates. In his account, they were round, built of willow frames and covered with leather. The insides were protected by straw. They carried wooden casks of wine from Armenia to Babylon, along with at least one donkey and two paddlers.
More found here.
3. A Bicycle Powered Tree House Elevator
4. French “annular candlestick” shelf clock, c. 1900
Still trying to figure out how this works. Photo credit: National Watch & Clock Museum.
5. Lady Gaga’s Pianist
and inventor of the Piano Arc, Brockett Parsons.
6. Jelly Cakes
Sydney based mother of 2 and creator of Jelly Alchemy an artisan 3D jellycake business. I am centred on jelly creations, cooking and my family. Found via This isn’t Happiness.
7. The “Moskva Pool”
Swimming pool in Moscow, for a time, the world’s largest open air swimming pool, was built on the site of the demolished cathedral of Christ the Savior and never built Palace of the Soviet, in 1931. In 1994 the swimming pool was closed, and an exact replica of the Cathedral was rebuilt in 2000.
The water was heated in order to extend the pool season into cooler weather.
Found on Soviet Visuals.
8. NASA testing
Scanned from “Man and Space”, found on flickr.
9. Swiss Folkloric Carnival Costumes
This carnival has been going for over a century, from what I can gather, it’s dedicated to dressing up like a jester.
10. An Uninhabited island off the coast of Tasmania for sale
Aside from a small fishing shack, there’s currently no infrastructure on the island – listed freehold for $1.98m AUD.
Found here.
11. Alternatively, there’s this Marble Liquor Cabinet circa 1930 for Sale
Found here.
12. Beautiful Plant Anatomy Charts 19th Century
Found on Flickr.
13. Hand-coloured etchings of 1870s street scenes in Paris by A.-P Martial
Found on Bibliodyssey.
