Category Archives: History

Ghosts of Pere Lachaise

Posted on June 9, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Founded in 1804 in the countryside beyond the Paris city walls, the Cimetiére Pére-Lachaise is now Paris’ largest cemetery. Verdant, hilly, with meandering paths between thousands of sepulchral tombs and monuments this vast city of the dead is one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Europe, Film, History, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

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

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 →

Posted in Animation, Art, History, movies | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

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

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

Land of Dreams

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

In a public-private partnership between the U.S. government and the travel industry, this new $12.3 million ad campaign, called Land of Dreams, is about to be launched with distribution in Europe, Asia, South America and Canada over the coming months. … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Europe, History, South America, Tourism, Travel Writing, USA | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Propaganda or Art

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Once again the United States has embarked on another seemingly endless Presidential Campaign. As electoral advertizing moves in to topgear we can expect to see all manner of campaign commercials, print art and propaganda. At least we can all enjoy … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, History, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Trainiacs Alert

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

The 5th annual National Train Day on May 12th marks the 143rd anniversary of the completion of America’s first transcontinental railroad. On May 10, 1869, at Promontory Summit, Utah, the famed “golden spike” was driven into the final railroad tie … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Blade Runner is not Science Fiction

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

In 1981, Philip K. Dick saw a television show featuring a segment about the soon to be released Ridley Scott film Blade Runner, based on his iconic novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. In response he wrote an impassioned letter … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Film, History | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments