Monthly Archives: May 2012

Golden Gate: There’s an app for that

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

When it opened in May 1937, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge ever constructed. Today, it only ranks 9th, but the gorgeous span remains the most photographed bridge in the world. The Golden Gate’s 75th anniversary is … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, ebooks, History, Museums, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Happy Birthday, Strand Book Store

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Today New York City’s renowned Strand Book Store is celebrating its 85th anniversary. Founded in 1927 by Ben Bass,and still owned by his son Fred Bass, the Strand is one of NYC’s last iconic 20th century bookshops in business. To … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Tourism, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Power to the People

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Keeping our myriad electronics charged while traveling can be a constant challenge. But the very clever folks at the Brooklyn-based design firm PENSA have come up with a brilliant concept to keep us all topped-up while on the move. Aptly … Continue reading →

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A Short History of America

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

In 1979, R Crumb created A Short History of America depicting the growth of the United States from pastoral wilderness to urban decay. The cartoon was originally published in a Whole Earth Catalog offshoot called the CoEvolution Quarterly. Years later, … Continue reading →

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Mind the Map

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

A new exhibition about the inspiration, history and creativity behind London transport maps opened on Friday May 18, 2012. Mind the Map: inspiring art, design and cartography draws on the London Transport Museum’s outstanding map collection to explore the themes … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, History, Maps, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Russians Are Coming !

Posted on May 26, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

The Russians are Coming! Read Russia (readrussia2012.com), a new initiative celebrating contemporary Russian literature and book culture, will host more than 50 Russian writers, publishers, librarians, journalists, and historians in events around New York City, June 2-7. These events will … Continue reading →

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Neil Gaiman Never Went to College

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Neil Gaiman never attended university, but this past weekend he received an honorary degree from the nearby University of the Arts in Philadelphia and spoke at the commencement. The bestselling author of American Gods, Coraline, Stardust, Neverwhere and many more … Continue reading →

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It’s Towel Day

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Don’t panic ! Towel Day is actually tomorrow May 25th. Fans of the late, great Douglas Adams, author ofThe Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,have already chosen that special towel to carry on Towel Day. When Adams died of a heart … Continue reading →

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Stonehenge Moves to London

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Built in 1828 to commemorate the Duke of Wellington’s defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, the Wellington Arch at Hyde Park, London is set to become a public gallery. Launching the new exhibition site, called the Quadriga Gallery (referencing the sculptural group … Continue reading →

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Rome Reborn

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

I was recently searching for some information on the astonishing Roman aqueduct in Segovia, Spain when I stumbled on this stunning digital animation exploring Rome in 320 A.D.. If you’ve every visited The Eternal City, or dreamed of going there, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Architecture, Art, Europe, Film, History, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment