EDC Gadgets Which Inspired Adam Smith
Pocket watches are well known, but as the article states, there were more than just those. Here's the one which was most interesting to Smith:
The coolest of all pocket gadgets were what antiquarians call etuis and Smith referred to as "tweezer cases." A typical 18th century etui looks like a slightly oversized cigarette lighter covered in shagreen, a textured rawhide made from shark or ray skin. The lid opens up to reveal an assortment of miniature tools, each fitting into an appropriately shaped slot. Today's crossword puzzle clues often describe etuis as sewing or needle cases, but that was only one of many varieties. An etui might contain drawing instruments—a compass, ruler, pencil, and set of pen nibs. It could hold surgeon's tools or tiny perfume bottles. Many offered a tool set handy for travelers: a tiny knife, two-pronged fork, and snuff spoon; scissors, tweezers, a razor, and an earwax scraper; a pencil holder and pen nib; perhaps a ruler or bodkin. The cap of a cylindrical etui might separate into a spyglass.
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Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in Middle English
There is a link that sends people to random old websites (I'll blog it next.) And it brought me here, the entirety of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in middle English utilizing what was then cutting-edge in-browser frames to allow you to easily jump between sections, read the text, and refer to a glossary of terms.
*Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote
And bathed every veyne in swich licour,
Of which vertu engendred is the flour;*
I can't tell you where this will take you
It takes you to a random old page on the internet. Commonly referred to as "Web 1.0" they range from the 90s to early 2000s. Enjoy!
Inside the deal that brought Messi to Miami
Fascinating stuff. The sort of deal which business people dream of. As much as I am going to hate to him making Miami a good team, I'm excited for what he is going to do to the league.
A shorth thread about York, the sole black slave in the Lewis & Clark expedition
Everyone knows Lewis & Clark, but did you know that there was a black man who was also part of the expedition?
As he was enslaved by William Clark, he participated as a full member of the expedition & was present when the expedition reached the Pacific Ocean.
Automated Archives for July, 15th 2023
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Wallabag Additions
These are articles that which I saved today so that I may read them later. Substance and quality will vary drastically.
Blog Posts On This Day
- 2022-07-15 (6 posts)