Category: Article of the Day

Jug bands are musical groups that use a mix of traditional and improvised instruments—usually ordinary objects modified for making music, such as the jug, washtub bass, washboard, spoons, stovepipe, and kazoo. Early jug bands were typically made up of African-American vaudeville and medicine show musicians. Emerging in the urban South, the bands played a mixture of Memphis blues—before it was formally called the blues—ragtime, and Appalachian music. How does one play the jug? Discuss

Though a computer monitor’s display is a two-dimensional plane, 3D computer graphics programs can produce images of objects that appear to be three dimensional. Creating 3D graphics is typically a three step process. First, the object’s shape is described in a process called modeling. Then designers determine the object’s motion and placement within a scene. Lastly, the model is given its final appearance in the rendering process. The term “computer graphics” was coined in the 1960s by whom? Discuss

Bharatanatyam is a classical Indian dance form that originated in Tamil Nadu. One of five major dance styles corresponding to each of the elements, Bharatanatyam represents the mystic manifestation of fire in the human body. The movements of Bharatanatyam dancers resemble a dancing flame, while their expressive hand gestures communicate specific meanings. Rooted in Hindu tradition, the dance form has since crossed religious boundaries and is now studied by members of what other religions? Discuss

Hatching and cross-hatching are artistic techniques in which artists use closely-spaced parallel or crossed lines to create tonal or shading effects in their work. By varying the length, angle, spacing, and thickness of these lines, artists achieve a variety of visual effects. Western artists developed cross-hatching in the Middle Ages, and many 15th-century old master prints contain examples of the technique. Which artist is said to have perfected the techniques in his woodcuts and engravings? Discuss

Perhaps the most famous lost mine in US history, the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine is a legendary gold mine allegedly located in Arizona’s Superstition Mountains. It is named after German immigrant Jacob Waltz, who, in most versions of the story, was told of the mine’s location as a reward for aiding a member of the Peralta mining family. Though many say the mine is a legend, some historians argue that the story has some basis in fact. Whose suspicious death sparked renewed interest in the mine? Discuss

Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from rice. Although there are multiple theories about how it was developed, the first sakes were likely made from rice, millet, chestnuts, and acorns that people chewed and spit into a tub. The enzymes from the saliva converted the starches to sugars, resulting in a sweet mixture that was combined with freshly cooked grain and allowed to ferment. What does drinking sake from another’s cup signify in Japanese culture? Discuss

Often referred to as the “stress hormone” because of its involvement in the body’s stress response, cortisol is the principal steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. It increases blood pressure and blood sugar levels and can act as an immunosuppressant. Hydrocortisone, or synthetic cortisol, is used to treat a number of conditions, including inflammation, allergies, collagen diseases, and adrenocortical insufficiency. In humans, cortisol levels peak at what time of day? Discuss

Before the dawn of movies, vaudeville shows packed US theaters. Following the format of beer hall variety shows, each vaudeville performance had 10–15 unrelated acts that could include anything from acrobats to opera singers. Vaudeville emerged in the early 1880s as former circus performer Tony Pastor cleaned up variety shows. He banned the sale of liquor and eliminated the cruder acts, and his success prompted other managers to do the same. What did Pastor give to vaudeville show attendees? Discuss

The members of the Charan caste living in the Gujarat and Rajasthan states of India are revered for their willingness to die for their beliefs and for their bravery in war. Though caste members are taught to respect bravery, loyalty, and truth more than life, they also value the literary arts. Poetry is an integral part of Charan identity, and some caste members are addressed as Kaviraj, a title meaning “Great Poet.” The practice of self-immolation is common in Charan culture. What is it? Discuss

Because archeologists are unsure of its original function, they now use the descriptive term bâton percé, meaning “pierced rod,” to refer to this type of prehistoric artifact. Made from a length of antler with a round hole in one end and often etched with designs, the bâton percé was originally believed to be a symbol of power. Later theories suggest it may have been a fertility symbol, arrow straightener, dress fastener, calendar, or spear thrower. How was the latter theory tested? Discuss