Month: January 2022

The Steam Donkey

The steam donkey is the strangely named auxiliary steam engine used for hoisting or pumping, especially on a ship. The name “steam donkey” comes from its origin in sailing ships, where the “donkey” engine was typically used to load and unload cargo and raise the larger sails. Patented in 1882, the steam donkey became a key tool for the logging industry as well, but its popularity waned with the advent of diesel-powered equipment. At what amusement park can you find a steam donkey on display? Discuss

The Twenty-One Demands (1915)

Japan gained a large sphere of interest in northern China through its victories in the First Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War, thus joining the ranks of the European imperialist powers scrambling to establish control over China. Japan used its 1914 declaration of war against Germany as grounds for invading German holdings in China. Then, ignoring the Chinese request to withdraw, Japan secretly presented the Chinese president with an ultimatum. What were some of the demands? Discuss

St. Sebastian's Day Festival (Zinacantán)

In Zinacantán, Chiapas State, Mexico, there is a celebration for several days in honor of St. Sebastian that marks the transfer of authority from the Big Alcalde (or chief magistrate) to his successor. There is an elaborate ritual during which he hands over an image of San Sebastian and other symbols of his authority. The festival also features a jousting pantomime, dancing to the rhythm of a special drum, two feasts, and a mock healing ceremony. The connection between the Día de San Sebastián festivities and the martyrdom of St. Sebastian, however, remains obscure. Discuss

Peter Mark Roget (1779)

If you have ever used a thesaurus, you have Roget to thank. He was an English physician who created not only the Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases—a comprehensive classification of synonyms that he published in 1852 during his retirement—but also a slide rule for calculating the roots and powers of numbers. Roget was an obsessive list-maker, and it has been speculated that he worked on the thesaurus to combat depressive tendencies. What institution did Roget help to establish? Discuss

The Clouded Leopard

The clouded leopard prowls the Himalayan foothills. It is only distantly related to its namesake but does share the leopard’s dark spots. As the smallest of the big cats, the clouded leopard is considered an evolutionary link between big cats and small cats. It is known for its excellent climbing ability—the clouded leopard can climb down trees headfirst—and frightening canine teeth—the largest of any cat in proportion to body size. What nickname has it been given due to this latter feature? Discuss

runner

runner – A blade of a skate or sled. The supports on which a drawer slides are also called runners. More…

dromedary, Bactrian – A one-hump camel is a dromedary (from Latin, meaning “swift camel,” from Greek dromas, “runner”) and a two-hump camel is a Bactrian (from Bactria in Asia). More…

cursor – First meant “runner” or “running messenger” and is now the moving/movable indicator on a computer screen. More…

dromomania – A mania for roaming or running, from Latin dromas. More…

The Great Brink's Robbery (1950)

After months of planning a heist on Boston’s Brink’s building, a band of 11 robbers put the plan in motion on January 17, 1950. Seven men dressed like Brink’s workers—but with masks and gloves—entered the building around 7 PM and left with $2.7 million about 30 minutes later. The robbers conspired not to touch the bulk of the money until the statute of limitations expired. It appeared to be the perfect crime, but the gang members were arrested in 1956. How did they get caught? Discuss