A Glimpse in History: The Bicycle

One of Leonardo Da Vinci's students in the 1490's made rough drafts of a bicycle. They were found among Da Vinci's writings for the Italian government in 1966 by a group of monks. What is realized with these findings is that in the 1490's all the parts of a bicycle were available to inventors and the public. Inventors were thinking about how to use the parts as well, but didn't think about putting them together. Interesting, is it not? The term bicycle was coined in France in the 1860s.

In 1870 James Starley made a bicycle with a large front wheel and a small back wheel. It was called the "penny-farthing" bicycle. The gear made the wheel turn two times per each revolution of the pedals. The front wheel was as high as the rider's leg length.

The problem with the penny-farthing (high bicycle) was that it was very dangerous because if the rider were to stop the rider could fall backwards. Also it was dangerous going down a hill. There was a lever that was operated by a spoon brake which could cause a fall and a special gear that made the wheel turn twice for each revolution. Oops!

The Penny-Farthing

The first bicycle with a chain was made in 1874 by H.J. Lawson. The bicycle was made up of two wheels the same size driven by a chain on the back wheel. It was called the safety bicycle.

In 1893 the Wright Brothers decided to open up a bicycle shop. They sold bicycles and fixed old ones. When they decided to make the airplane, they used most of their knowledge from their bicycle career.
From 1900 through the 1950's there wasn't much enhancement on the bicycle because of the invention of the car. Bikes looked the same for almost 50 years with thick rubber tires, one gear, and metal frames.

10 Reasons to Ride a Bike:

1-Environmentally Friendly

2-Saves Gas

3-Saves Money

4-Good for Physical, Mental and Emotional Health

5-Convenient and Practical

6-Less Congested Roads

7-Quieter City

8-Opportunity to Enjoy the Environment

9-Greater Human interaction

10-Fun and Exhilarating

Bike Safe!




Photos: Indiegogo.com and Gallery.nen.gov.uk
Information:library.thinkquest.org

The Archives: Tennis

I totally love Tennis! I don't know if it is because of the tennis white crisp outfits which are soooo chic or because is almost mesmerizing to see a good tennis match. Either way I think that tennis is fun to play and watch.


A little bit of tennis...

The Grand Slams Tennis Tournaments. There are four which are:

• Wimbledon:

Started in 1877

Held in the London suburb of Wimbledon, England, at the All England Club.

The tournament runs annually for 13 days from late June to early July.

• US Open:

Started in 1881

Location in Flushing, New York City
It is held annually in August and September over a two-week period.

• French Open:

Started in 1891

Held in Paris, France, at the Stade Roland Garros

This tournament runs over two weeks between mid-May and early June

• Australian Open:

Started in 1905

Held at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, AustraliaThe tournament is held each January



Tennis Fashion & Etiquette: 

Women began playing tennis in the 1860s, and their first outfits fit the Victorian ideals of modesty and practical materials. This tennis attire included restrictive corsets under high-collared blouses paired with ground-length skirts often made from flannel and trimmed with fur. These women’s outfits were darkly colored with tight sleeves that limited arm movement. The restricted movement allowed the ladies to hit lightly and to play a feminine version of tennis, often known as “pat ball.” In addition to all this clothing, Victorian tennis players wore fashionable hats that were distracting while playing sports.

By the 1890s, white had become the overwhelmingly popular color for tennis attire. When Maud Watson won the ladies’ Wimbledon in 1884, she was wearing a white outfit that became the symbol of tennis success. In addition to Watson’s fashion contribution, women realized that white was the best color to conceal inevitable perspiration stains. Most female tennis players of the late 19th century were upper class, and they did not want sweat stains on their tennis attire, an appearance most frequently attributed to the working class.

International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum

Tennis fashion has certainly changed! I agree with wearing more comfortable clothes when one is playing this kind of sport. What I don't like is the lack of propriety that is being displayed in the court nowadays. Not only the obvious decisions of clothing worn by some sports figure. But it is also the aggressiveness, rudeness, and violence that is being displayed on the court by players and spectators.

Unfortunately it is not only in Tennis that we see this trend going on, but it's in almost all kinds of sports. Times are different. There is more stress and less politeness in life nowadays. We shouldn't fall to such a low level of human indecency. Or else what will become of us? So why can't we just relax and have a fun time and enjoy the game! It is of course a game after all!

Tennis Terms:

Tennis comes from the French tenez, the imperative form of the verb tenir, to hold: This was a cry used by the player serving in royal tennis, meaning "I am about to serve!"

Racquet comes from raquette, which derives from the Arabic rakhat, meaning the palm of the hand.

Deuce comes from à deux le jeu, meaning "to both is the game" (that is, the two players have equal scores).

Love originates from "l'oeuf", the French word for "egg", representing the shape of a zero.

The convention of numbering scores "15", "30" and "40" comes from quinze, trente and quarante, which to French ears makes a euphonious sequence, or from the quarters of a clock (15, 30, 45) with 45 simplified to 40.

Museum: 

Discover the rich history of tennis while experiencing the grandeur of a Victorian-era social club at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Photo: Florida State Library, Google, Tennis Hall Of Fame and Museum
Information:Wikipedia, Letoilesport.com/

The Archives: Wondermark, A Retro Comic Strip!

Since I first laid my eyes on Wondermark, I knew it was love at first sight! Here it is the perfect retro comic strip!

The first thing that caught my attention when I went to the Wondermark website was the vintage feel of it, which I am all for it! Second, the comic strip itself is made to look like it was taken from an old newspaper. So here you are, reading a newspaper comic strip on the internet! Third, I have lately discovered my love for the Parisian Steampunk culture. And Wondermark, is just that! And last but not least, the dialog is about modern daily living, sort of like being a Timewarpian! You dress retro, but you are living in the 21 Century.


Two thumbs up, for Wondermark!




This comic episode, reminds me of the conversation I have with my husband when he is at his computer all day!





And in this episode is totally what my nervous mom would say! "Can't a mother worried?"



A little bit about the artist himself:

Wondermark is by David Malki ! This comic strip is like reading a 100 years old newspaper comic strip, but with a modern twist! David uses vintage drawings and writes a story line around it. If you love humor with a kick, Wondermark will be your favorite comic page to visit!

Oh, and if you thought that the exclamation mark at the end of David Malki! was a typo, well it wasn't it. That is how he spells his name. Now, that is one funny fellow!



Click link to visit Wondermark at: http://www.wondermark.com/

The Archives:  Post's from my old blog The RetroChic Corner. Original Post Date: 11/30/09

The Archives: The Edwardian Ball Weekend 2010!

For all of you Steampunks aficionados out there, The Edwardian Ball Weekend is here again!

The award-winning Edwardian Ball transforms the historic Regency Ballroom into a garden of delights. Join a wonderland of symphony of music, theater, dance, art, storytelling, circus arts, fashion, and technology!


The Dates For the Event are as Follow:

January Friday 22 to Saturday 23, 2010.

NEW IN 2010: The Edwardian Vendor Bazaar & Croquet Garden will be open Saturday Jan 23rd from Noon-7pm (in addition to both nighttime events).

Location:

The Regency Ballroom, 1300 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, California.


For more information you can visit: The Edwardian Ball 2010.


Come Join The Fun!

Have nothing to wear for the event? Visit Steampunk Emporium for that perfect steampunk outfits and accessories!




Photo: Creative Commons Flickr by Mind on Fire.




The Archives: Post's from my old blog The RetroChic Corner. Original Post Date: 01/19/10