Month: June 2022

The Eames House

The Eames House is a landmark of modern architecture, designed and inhabited by famed husband-and-wife design pioneers Charles and Ray Eames, of Eames chair fame. Constructed in 1949, it was part of the Case Study House program, sponsored by Arts & Architecture magazine, which commissioned major architects of the day to design model homes that could meet the post-war housing needs of a modern American household. Who had originally partnered with Charles to design the house? Discuss

inquiry

query, inquiry, enquiry – A query is a single question; an inquiry (or enquiry) may be a single question or extensive investigation (i.e. a series of questions). More…

inquirendo, percontation – An inquirendo or percontation is an investigation or inquiry. More…

prosecute – First meant “to follow up or pursue an inquiry or studies” or “to pursue to the end.” More…

zetetic – As an adjective, it means “inquiring, investigating” and “proceeding by inquiry or investigation,” or, as a noun, “inquirer.” More…

Henry Ford Test-Drives His First Vehicle (1896)

Controversial but undeniably influential, Ford was an American engineer who is widely credited with developing the world’s first modern assembly line used in mass production. In the 1880s, the first “horseless carriages” hit the streets, and Ford, future founder of the Ford Motor Company, found himself inspired to build one of his own. In 1896, he produced his first self-propelled vehicle, the Quadricycle, which ran on an ethanol-powered engine and four bicycle wheels. How much did it sell for? Discuss

Tonga Emancipation Day

June 4 is a national holiday in the Kingdom of Tonga, celebrating its full independence from Britain. On June 4, 1863, King George Tupuo I abolished the system of serfdom in the island nation of Tonga. The historic occasion is remembered on Emancipation Day, which is celebrated just after the conclusion of the annual three-day Ha’apai Festival. The Ha’apai Festival begins on Tonga’s outer islands and ends on Lifuka Island on June 4th. Both the festival and Emancipation Day are marked with feasts and dancing. Discuss

King George III of England (1738)

King George III was king of Great Britain and Ireland. During his reign, Britain lost many of its colonies in North America, and Great Britain and Ireland united to form the UK. He suffered a short nervous breakdown in 1765 and a more serious one beginning in 1788, sparking a conflict over the powers to be vested in the regency. His mental condition continued to decline, and he became permanently insane in 1810. One theory claims his condition was a result of what metabolic disorder? Discuss

Andrea Bocelli

Bocelli is an Italian tenor and multi-instrumentalist. Blind since the age of 12 and favoring opera over other, more popular styles of music, Bocelli overcame the odds and became an international superstar. His chart-topping success is, in part, due to his blending of operatic arias with pop music. Though this has helped him sell tens of millions of records, it has also earned him criticism from opera purists. What did Bocelli do for a living before becoming a “popera” star? Discuss