itsamusingplanet - Tumblr blog

[itsamusingplanet]

The Daredevil Wing Walking Pioneers

It took less than two decades from the Wright Brothers’ initial modest flight for stunt flying to become a phenomenon. It started after the end of World War 1, when pilots came home but with adrenaline still coursing through their bodies from living life on the edge. Eager to continue their thrill-seeking adventures, they found ways to acquire planes and finance their passion for flying. Traveling from town to town, these adventurous aviators offered rides to curious spectators, earning them the nickname "barnstormers" because they would often land at a local farm and negotiate with the owners to use their fields as makeshift runways for staging air shows. During the “roaring 20s”, many daredevil pilots made a living by captivating crowds with breathtaking feats across the United States and Canada. However, the ultimate risk-takers of their time were the wing walkers, who fearlessly performed feats while perched on the wings of aircraft.

Ivan Unger and Gladys Roy play tennis on top of a biplane in 1925.

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/Vrim7Jy

[itsamusingplanet]

Leendert Hasenbosch: The Gay Soldier Who Was Marooned on a Deserted Island

In January 1726, a British East India Company ship named James and Mary landed on Ascension Island. While exploring the island, the crew stumbled upon a tent containing belongings that suggested the presence of a castaway who had likely survived on the island for some time. Although no body or skeleton was found, the crew speculated that the man had perished due to thirst.

Inside the tent, the sailors made an intriguing discovery— a diary belonging to the castaway, which explained how the castaway had found himself on the island. The diary revealed that he was a Dutch sailor who had been found guilty of sodomy and was marooned on the island as punishment. That same year, the translated diary was published under the title Sodomy Punish'd , of which only a single copy exist in the British Library today. This unique journal offers a rare and firsthand account of the challenges and experiences endured by a gay man during a period when same-sex relationships were punishable by death.

“Marooned” by Howard Pyle.

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/WCM6LmR

[itsamusingplanet]

La Catedral: Pablo Escobar’s Personal Prison

By 1991, Pablo Escobar had undergone a remarkable journey, starting as a car thief and then evolving into a small-time trafficker and kidnapper, ultimately earning the title of "the king of cocaine." However, this transformation came at a significant cost. Over the course of a decade, Escobar had accumulated numerous adversaries, including rival drug cartels and the government of various countries. Their collective efforts were gradually dismantling Escobar's life and empire. His rivalry with the Cali Cartel cost the lives of more than 300 of his associates and family. In addition, Escobar had seen fellow drug lords like Carlos Lehder extradited to the United States, and others like the Ochoa brothers had turn themselves in and go to prison. Gonzalo Rodriguez Gacha, another Columbian drug lord, and his son had died in gun battles with the police. The final straw broke when his daughter Manuela was injured in a bombing at his residence.

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/2I6Rzr9

[itsamusingplanet]

The Sad Tale of Ethelbert The Orca

Orcas or killer whales have an enormous range, inhabiting all of the world's oceans. In the northeast Atlantic, they appear in abundance around the Norwegian coast, and in the north Pacific they can be found along the Aleutian Islands and the Gulf of Alaska. They are also found in the Southern Ocean off much of the coast of Antarctica. Along the West Coast of the United States of America, orcas are found mostly in the Puget Sound area of Washington State extending as far north as Alaska, and southward off the California coast. Rarely are they sighted off the coast of Oregon, and whenever they do, they usually make news.

A man poses with Ethelbert after it was harpooned by Edward Lessard and his son Joseph.

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/B45hWYE

[itsamusingplanet]

The Wolf of Ansbach

Like most wild animals, wolves predominantly inhabit remote areas, maintaining a natural inclination and capability to steer clear of human presence. But under certain circumstances, such as human encroachment into wolf territories and lack of game, encounters between wolves and humans can occur leading to potential conflicts and rare instances of attacks. Throughout history, spanning back to the medieval era, there exists a documented record of numerous instances where humans have encountered and fallen victim to wolf attacks, numbering in the thousands. Among these historical accounts, there is one in particular that is noteworthy.

The hunting of the wolf of Ansbach.

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/SwUEv5p

[itsamusingplanet]

Pidakala War: The Cow Dung Fight

The Hindu new year or Baisakhi is celebrated throughout India in mid-April. The celebrations vary across states and from culture to culture, but the roots are the same. Baisakhi is a celebration of spring harvest, signifying the completion of the harvest season and the abundance of crops ready for sale. During this time, people visit local temples and gurdwaras, participate in community fairs, and hold special thanksgiving pujas. It is an occasion to reunite with friends and family, savor special foods, and don new attire.

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/CQrsGB8

[itsamusingplanet]

The 72 Seasons of Japan

We are all familiar with the four seasons of the year—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—based on the changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours. However, these four seasons are too broad in scope to accurately depict the nuances of our weather and of our natural surrounding. To mark the passing of time and understand the variations throughout the year, many ancient East Asian cultures created calendars based on the sun and the phases of the moon. The Hindu calendar has 6 seasons, the Chinese calendar consist of 24 seasons, and the Japanese calendar is divided even more finely into 72 seasons.  

Photo credit: tawatchai07/Freepik

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/pnlNRGd

[itsamusingplanet]

The Tragedy of Ignaz Semmelweis: The Doctor Who Pioneered Hand-Washing

Nearly 150 years have passed since the groundbreaking contributions of Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch helped lay the foundation of the germ theory of disease. Yet, its still a challenge to persuade healthcare providers to take hand-washing seriously. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that improper sanitization practices and cross contamination in hospitals results in roughly 1.7 million infections in the US alone, contributing to nearly 99,000 deaths each year. Hand hygiene is the single most important measure to reduce such infections.

The importance of hand washing for human health was first recognized in the mid 19th century by a Hungarian physician named Ignaz Semmelweis.

Photo credit: freepik

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/LIFYZpc

[itsamusingplanet]

Cows Who Gained Fame by Escaping From Slaughterhouses

Stories of animals successfully escaping slaughterhouses can inspire hope and serve as a catalyst for change. Slaughterhouses have long been a subject of controversy, with heated debates surrounding the treatment of animals within these facilities. Animal welfare advocates argue that slaughterhouses are the epicenter of animal cruelty, pointing to various practices that raise ethical concerns. When an animal escape a slaughterhouse, it demonstrates the resilience and intelligence of animals and challenge the notion that they are mere commodities. Such stories can motivate individuals to reevaluate their own choices and promote alternatives that prioritize animal welfare, such as adopting plant-based diets or supporting cruelty-free industries.

Photo credit: wirestock/Freepik

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/6ZvdWV1

[itsamusingplanet]

Penelope The Platypus Who Faked a Pregnancy And Fooled The Zoo

In 1947, there were only two platypuses in America—Penelope and Cecil. They were brought to New York’s Bronx Zoo all the way from Australia where the mammals are endemic to. But here’s the thing—platypuses are not quite mammals. Although their blood is warm and they have mammal-like fur, they lay eggs like reptiles. The blind, hairless hatchlings then nurse by licking milk that the mother secrete out of pores in the skin. Only after about four months do the young emerge from the burrow.

A wild platypus in a creek in Tasmania, Australia. Photo credit: Klaus/Flickr

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/B07Cip4

[itsamusingplanet]

Fishers Ghost: How a Ghost Helped Solve His Own Murder

Ghost stories have fascinated and captivated people throughout history and across cultures. Despite the passage of time and advancements in science and technology, the allure of the supernatural continues to intrigue and captivate individuals from all walks of life. Some ghost stories have a strong cultural and historical significance. They are often rooted in local folklore, legends, and traditional beliefs, reflecting the values, fears, and customs of a particular community. Sharing and passing down ghost stories from generation to generation helps preserve cultural heritage and creates a sense of collective identity. These tales also serve as cautionary tales, teaching moral lessons and warning against certain behaviors.

A festival attendee dressed up as a ghost at the Festival of Fisher's Ghost. Photo credit: Campbelltown City Council/Wikimedia Commons

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/jQ1hkTo

[itsamusingplanet]

Penelope The Platypus Who Faked a Pregnancy And Fooled The Zoo

In 1947, there were only two platypuses in America—Penelope and Cecil. They were brought to New York’s Bronx Zoo all the way from Australia where the mammals are endemic to. But here’s the thing—platypuses are not quite mammals. Although their blood is warm and they have mammal-like fur, they lay eggs like reptiles. The blind, hairless hatchlings then nurse by licking milk that the mother secrete out of pores in the skin. Only after about four months do the young emerge from the burrow.

A wild platypus in a creek in Tasmania, Australia. Photo credit: Klaus/Flickr

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/B07Cip4

[itsamusingplanet]

Fishers Ghost: How a Ghost Helped Solve His Own Murder

Ghost stories have fascinated and captivated people throughout history and across cultures. Despite the passage of time and advancements in science and technology, the allure of the supernatural continues to intrigue and captivate individuals from all walks of life. Some ghost stories have a strong cultural and historical significance. They are often rooted in local folklore, legends, and traditional beliefs, reflecting the values, fears, and customs of a particular community. Sharing and passing down ghost stories from generation to generation helps preserve cultural heritage and creates a sense of collective identity. These tales also serve as cautionary tales, teaching moral lessons and warning against certain behaviors.

A festival attendee dressed up as a ghost at the Festival of Fisher's Ghost. Photo credit: Campbelltown City Council/Wikimedia Commons

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/bUtGO2N

[itsamusingplanet]

Cold Water Geysers

A typical geyser expels hot water and steam when an underground spring comes in contact with hot rocks heated by magma, causing the water to boil. The resulting expansion of the super heated water causes hot water and steam to spray out of the geyser’s surface vent resulting in the geyser effect. But not all geysers are driven by steam. Some of them are propelled by carbon-dioxide gas. The water of these geysers are cold, and they are called cold water geysers.

A cold water geyser erupts above treetops in Andernach, Germany. Photo credit: Holger Weinandt/Wikimedia Commons

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/bIPSei0

[itsamusingplanet]

Fernando Traverso's Bicycles

Throughout the streets of Rosario, a city in the central Argentine province of Santa Fe, you will find hundreds of images of bicycles stenciled in the walls. Each bicycle pay homage to a victim of Argentina's military dictatorship.

The project was started in 2001 by Fernando Traverso, an Argentinian hospital worker and political activist, who began by spray painting twenty-nine life-sized bicycle stencils on walls, windows, doors and other spaces across his home town Rosario in memory of his twenty-nine friends who were abducted and killed during Argentina's state-sponsored terrorism which lasted from 1974 to 1983.

Credit: Twitter

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/Z4Ez60a

[itsamusingplanet]

Fernando Traverso's Bicycles

Throughout the streets of Rosario, a city in the central Argentine province of Santa Fe, you will find hundreds of images of bicycles stenciled in the walls. Each bicycle pay homage to a victim of Argentina's military dictatorship.

The project was started in 2001 by Fernando Traverso, an Argentinian hospital worker and political activist, who began by spray painting twenty-nine life-sized bicycle stencils on walls, windows, doors and other spaces across his home town Rosario in memory of his twenty-nine friends who were abducted and killed during Argentina's state-sponsored terrorism which lasted from 1974 to 1983.

Credit: Twitter

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/Z4Ez60a

[itsamusingplanet]

The Monument to Soviet Tank Crews

For many decades, a Soviet tank raised on a pedestal in the center of Prague was a monument to the liberation of the city by the Red Army at the end of World War II. But when the Soviet Union invaded the country in 1968 to crush the country’s attempt at freedom and democratization, known as the Prague Spring, public perception of the tank memorial shifted. It was no longer seen as a symbol of liberation and freedom, but a cruel reminder of the communist oppression imposed by the Soviet Union. In 1991, a group of art students painted the Soviet tank bright pink in protest, sparking intense debate and discussion within the Czech society. This was followed by many more acts of vandalism aimed towards the tank, culminating in the removal of the monument from the square.

The tank memorial at its original location, in Prague. Credit: Wikimedia

© Amusing Planet, 2023

from Amusing Planet https://ift.tt/Z0foT1b