Monthly Archives: September 2008

In 1955 on this day, at the tender age of 24, James Dean and his mechanic Rolf Wuetherich, got in his Porsche 550, nicknamed “Little Bastard,” and headed out to a car race in Salinas, California. What was probably thought of as a leisurely ride to the races turned out to be Dean’s last day on earth. His car was involved in a head-on collision. The other car involved was driven by a 23-year-old college student named Donald Turnaspeed. Dean was taken to Paso Robles War Memorial Hospital, and pronounced dead at 5:59 p.m. Turnspeed who was thrown from the car, survived with minor injuries. No charges were ever filed against Turnspeed.

Achievements to note:

• Dean beat out Paul Newman for the role of Cal Trask in East of Eden …an incredible feat.

• Dean was the first actor to be awarded a posthumous Academy Award nomination for his role in East of Eden.

When I was a kid in school studying history, I’d always imagine Benjamin Franklin like this: a chubby man flying a kite in the middle of a nasty storm. “What was everyone fussing about?” I thought. I grew up and got wiser and now know better.

Benjamin Franklin was a founding father, inventor, scientist, philosopher, and Statesman. Born January 16, 1706, Franklin left school at the tender age of 10 to help with the family candle-making business. At the age of 12 he entered into an apprenticeship to his older brother’s print shop. Problems with his brother led young Ben to run away to Philadelphia.

With a passion for reading, he taught himself to speak and write in five languages. He also taught himself: Algebra, geometry, grammar and logic. At the age of 22 he opened his own print shop with which he had great success. He later bought a failing newspaper and made it prosperous.

With his new found wealth, Ben married and started a family, 2 boys and a girl. At about age 26 Franklin also published a witty almanac which became so popular it was the most widely read material in the colonies second only to the bible.

Other accomplishments: Helped establish the University of Pennsylvania, started the first volunteer fire fighters, started the first public library in Philadelphia, invented bifocal glasses; the cast iron stove and more.

And I thought all he did was fly a kite…a wonder of a man indeed.

I know you’ve heard the phrase “the dog days of summer,” dozens of times, but where did this phrase come from? The ancient Romans coined the phrase, calling the hot sultry weather of early July through September “caniculares dies” or “days of the dogs” after the constellation of Canis Major, within which Sirius, the Dog Star, is found. As the hottest and most humid days of summer generally coincided with the period Sirius rose and set with the sun, the Romans believed that heat from Sirius was increasing the heat of the sun.

We some times believe or think that history started when we were born. You’d be surprised how long phrases have been used and who coined them.

Fashion in a sense is dictated to the masses. For the fashion conscious types, the styles are dictated, and they become “slaves to fashion.” Thankfully that happens by choice today. Back in the 19th century men could not be seen in public without a top hat. It didn’t matter whether they were conducting business, or pleasure, they had to wear a top hat. The black hat was allowed anytime of the day. The gray hat was only to be worn in the daytime. However, when the hat was first made and worn by its designer in public, (the day’s runway) it caused a stir.

John Hetherington was a London haberdasher, and is thought to be the designer of the first top hat in 1797. What he did was make modifications to the day’s riding hat, which was round, and flat. He increased the height and size of the brim, used silk instead of the traditional beaver fur used on the riding hat. He wanted to show the world his new design, and he did to his detriment.

The haberdasher walked proudly down the streets of London and noticed women looking, but then screaming and fainting. Men would take one look and practically booed him out of London. Pup dogs yelped and ran away. A mob trampled a boy and broke his little arms. Finally a crowd surrounded the poor pioneering designer.

The riot was caused by the hat’s height and shininess. The public found his hat atrocious, offensive, and disturbing. The designer was taken to court and charged with disturbing the peace by, get ready for this, “appearing on the public highway wearing upon his head a tall structure having a shining luster and calculated to frighten timid people.” He was found guilty and fined 50 pounds, a lot for the day. A new law was also passed, “The Haberdasher Act,” no just kidding, but a law was passed which forbade people from ever wearing top hats.

It took another 22 years before the public was ready for top hats, and even then they had to be made of beaver fur. It wasn’t until the 1850’s when the public relaxed and allowed silk to be used on top hats. All I can say is, what would these “timid people,” do if they saw today’s fashion?