Tag Archives: amanda

1887 – 1898: Whaleback steamships

A whaleback was a type of cargo steamship with a hull that continuously curved above the waterline from vertical to horizontal. When fully loaded, only the rounded portion of the hull (the “whaleback” proper) could be seen above the waterline. With sides curved in towards the ends, it had a spoon bow and a very convex upper deck. It was formerly used on the Great Lakes of Canada and the United States, notably for carrying grain or ore.Whaleback Steamships 2

The term developed in common usage in response to the ship’s appearance when fully loaded. A total of 44 such vessels were constructed from 1887 to 1898.

Whaleback Steamships 3 Whaleback Steamships 15 Whaleback Steamships 13 Whaleback Steamships 7

 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Humor and Observations

1888: Jasper Spalding’s flying machine

1888: Jasper Spalding’s flying machine

Leave a comment

Filed under Humor and Observations

1888: Balloon wedding

The September 27, 1888, wedding of Margaret Buckley and Edward T. Davis was held at the Rhode Island State Fair at Narrangansett Park in Providence. An article in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper estimates that 40,000 watched as Davis and Buckley entered the “specially prepared ‘bridal car’ of the mammoth balloon Commonwealth, held down by 24 men at the guy ropes.”  After the ceremony, aeronauts James Allen and his son James K. directed the balloon skyward.At dusk, the balloon landed in a swamp near Easton, Massachusetts, about thirty miles away from Providence.  The wedding party was “obliged to cling to the ropes above the basket to keep out of the water.”  Finally rescued, the balloon tied safely to a tree, the couple completed their trip by rail.  Afterwards, Allen and the Davises reenacted their wedding for a photographer in a studio.Balloon Wedding 1 Balloon Wedding 2

Leave a comment

Filed under Humor and Observations

1835: Mackintosh’s Aerial Ship “Drawn by Eagles”

1835: Mackintosh’s Aerial Ship “Drawn by Eagles”

 Amanda

 August 25, 2013

 1800-1899, Transport

Mackintoshs-Aerial-Ship-Drawn-by-Eagles

Source: The Internet Archive

3 Comments

Filed under Humor and Observations

1897: Costume ball

Costume Ball 1

 

2 Comments

Filed under Humor and Observations

1884: Views of Future Technological Advances

1884: “Poetical drifts of thought; or problems of progress”

1 Comment

Filed under Humor and Observations

1884: The Stevens Bicycle Rifle

1884: The Stevens Bicycle Rifle

March 7, 2014
Stevens-Bicycle-Rifle

Source: Old Bike
Nothing says Second Amendment rights like a nice rifle bicycle.  Stay in shape, get around, and protect yourself.  Could be good for a zombie apocalypse too…  Of course if they made something like this is Massachusetts today, the ATF would raid them.

Leave a comment

Filed under Humor and Observations

1887: Octopus chatelaine

1887: Octopus chatelaine

January 30, 2014
A chatelaine is a decorative belt hook or clasp worn at the waist with a series of chains suspended from it. Each chain is mounted with a useful household appendage such as scissors, thimble, watch, key, vinaigrette, household seal, etc.

Leave a comment

Filed under Humor and Observations

1882: Patented Rat Exterminator

1882: Patent rat exterminator

January 23, 2014
Patent Rat Exterminator 1

To all whom it may concern –

Be it known that I, JAS. ALEXANDER WILLIAMS, 0f Fredonia, in the county of San Saba and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Animal Traps; and 1 do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in animal-traps; and it consists in the combination of a suitable frame upon which a revolver or pistol is secured, a treadle which is secured to the front end of this frame, and a suitable spring and levers, by which the fire arm is discharged when the animal steps upon the treadle.

The object of my invention is to provide a means by which animals which burrow in the ground can be destroyed, and which trap will give an alarm each time that it goes off, so that it can be reset.

The accompanying drawing represents the side elevation of my invention complete.

This invention may also be used in connection with a door or window, so as to kill any person or thing opening the door or window to which it is attached.

I am aware that burglar-alarms of various kinds have been used, and which have been connected to windows and doors in such a manner that the’opening of the window or door causes a pressure upon a lever which discharges a fire-arm; but in no case have the parts been arranged and combined as here shown and described.

Patent Rat Exterminator 2

Leave a comment

Filed under Animals, Humor and Observations