History

October 10, 2022

Found Purse From the 1950s Offers Glimpse Into the Lives of Teen Girls From Decades Past

It can be difficult to imagine what everyday life was like for teenagers before cell phones and social media. While we may share some similarities with the past, there are even more differences that are worth exploring. Fortunately, found objects from past time periods offer a glimpse into what it was like to grow up in other eras. The most recent discovery was a purse dating back to 1959.

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September 26, 2022

Nikola Tesla Made an X-Ray of His Own Foot With a Machine He Designed in 1896

Inventor Nikola Tesla is famous for his work with electricity and radio. Holding over 300 patents, the Serbian-American inventor was prolific, but not all of his experiments were successful or widely known. For instance, most people don't associate Tesla with the x-ray, but he began experimenting with the technology in 1894. Tesla started playing with radiation energy toward the end of the 19th century when he noticed damaged film from previous experiments.

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August 26, 2022

Mattel Creates Barbie Doll to Honor Madam C.J. Walker, the First Self-Made Woman Millionaire

Madam C.J. Walker was a pioneer in many ways. She was America’s first documented self-made woman millionaire, cultivated the industry of modern Black haircare and cosmetics, and created the role of the 20th-century businesswoman. So, it's only fitting that Mattel added Walker to their Inspiring Women series alongside others like Ella Fitzgerald, Helen Keller, and Jane Goodall. Walker was born in 1867 as Sarah Breedlove on the plantation where her parents were formerly enslaved.

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July 10, 2022

8 Facts About Emily Dickinson, the Enigmatic 19th-Century American Poet

Unlike novels where a story unfolds over the course of hundreds of pages, poets communicate themes and feelings within just a few lines. One of the most beloved masters of this craft is the 19th-century writer Emily Dickinson. Her unique style of writing used unconventional punctuation and structure that was extremely modern for the time. Despite being one of the most famous poets in American literature, not much is known about her private life.

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My Modern Met

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