a bit of history | Magpie and Muttonfly

You’ve got to start somewhere

19 August, 2016 by moi Leave a Comment

It was August 19, 1918 that Irving Berlin’s Yip Yip Yaphank opened in New York City at the Century Theater.

Here’s a song from the musical. Sound familiar? That’s right–it’s a version of the song that gets stuck in my head every time I watch White Christmas. It’s beginning its loop even as I type (where’s a tambourine when you need it).

That’s not the only familiarity. You see, Irving Berlin composed and produced the musical revue whilst a recruit in the United States Army’s 152nd Depot Brigade at Camp Umpton in Yaphank, New York, during World War I. As a matter of fact, for the last show, the principal performers — marching down the aisle, off to war — were followed by the rest of the crew: men in uniform who really were marching off to war in France.

Berlin produced a similar musical revue during World War II. This is the Army ended up touring London and Europe before settling in as a fictionalized account on film.

Then there’s White Christmas — the film that without which Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas, for many. It pays subtle tribute to the musical revue, as well.

It’s a good reminder to start. Wherever you may be in the life, whatever you’ve got going, start using your gifts and talents. Chances are good, your first attempt will be less than perfect. And that’s OK. Because you never know where that first step might lead you . . .

Happy weekend, lovelies.

xo

Music to my ears

12 August, 2016 by moi 1 Comment

A vintage Phonograph or speaking machine patent drawing from 1878 on blue grunge background.

Edison’s baby: ‘phonograph or speaking machine’ patent drawing, 1878.

As I write, Friday dawns. The fact we’re heading into the weekend is music to my ears.

Speaking of which, rumor has it, it was August 12, 1877 that Thomas Edison completed his phonograph. He recorded “Mary had a little lamb . . .” thus becoming the Wizard of Menlo Park. Here’s a clip of Edison recreating the original recording, for the phonograph’s 50th anniversary (1927).

While we’ve come along way since then, there remains something magical about those first, tinny sound machines.

With that, I wish you magic all your own in the days ahead. May they be filled with the sounds you love, with music–maybe a little dancing, too.

xo

PS. The 1878 Thomas Edison Phonograph Patent print, above, is from Patents Wall Art. I don’t know about you, but I kinda love it.

PPS. If you’re up for a bit more history, check out this piece from The Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park.

Here’s to learning a thing or two

29 July, 2016 by moi 2 Comments

I do love to peek at what happened this very day, down through the years.

On this day (July 29, 1869, to be precise), for example, a baby boy was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Booth was his name; Booth Tarkington.

He would grow up to pen great American novels–two of which won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction (in 1919 and 1922). While he never graduated from college, he earned multiple honorary degrees (which I’ve long argued is the way to go) including an honorary doctorate from Purdue, honorary masters and doctorate from Princeton, honorary doctorate from Columbia. He also wrote plays, dabbled in illustration. He was a well-known sailor.

All new to me.

That’s right. Until this morning when I saw a name I didn’t recognized and decided to look that name up, I knew nary a thing about the man.

I imagine, if he were here today, paying witness to such a confession, he’d look at me much like he is in the photo, above.

The good news: learned something new.

With that, I wish you a splendid weekend. In addition to any shenanigans you may have planned, I hope you learn a fascinating thing or two. Bonus if you happen upon a new (to you) author; which means more books to add to your reading list . . .

xo

A good weekend to you

1 April, 2016 by moi 4 Comments

There’s a certain fellow who courts money for a living. He’s very good at what he does; he’s not so good at the human bits. One evening, at a business dinner, the topic of social media arose—replete with air hashtags.

The fellow sat amazed.

So the next day, in an effort to prove himself in the know, he typed a text to one of his co-workers, ending with the hashtag: $winning.

Needless to say, my co-workers and I have adopted it as our own—because it’s awesome.

Speaking of which, rumor has it, the dollar sign was created on April 1, 1778 by a New Orleans businessman by the name of Oliver Pollock. The symbol was created quite by accident, mind. You see, Oliver suffered a bout of poor penmanship. In blurring an abbreviation for ‘peso’ (the standard currency of the time), he gave the illusion of ‘$.’ And the rest, as they say, is history.

Of course, Pollock’s history is so much richer than what we tend to know of it. He basically funded the American Revolution (amongst other things)—and ended up being confined to debtor’s prison for a time, because of it.

Thankfully, we’ve his clan to be reminded.

With that, I hope this hodgepodge of a post finds you rich, in all the ways that matter . . .

xo

All in a day’s work

19 February, 2016 by moi 5 Comments

In case you’re unaware, February 19 has been quite good to us . . .

It was February 19 (1856) that a certain professor of natural philosophy and astronomy by the name of Hamilton Smith patented the tintype camera. The tintype camera would go on to capture families and loved ones, document carnivals and history – like the U.S. Civil War and the wild, Wild West.

February 19 (1878) Thomas Edison patented the phonograph, which allowed recorded sound to be played back . . . and paved the way for the likes of gramophones and record players.

And February 19 (1985) the Coca-Cola Company introduced Cherry Coke. Granted, for decades you could mosey on up to a soda fountain counter and order a cherry Coke. But there was something about getting that sweet flavor in a can. Also, their tagline: “Cherry Coke is slightly wild. It’s fun.” (What can I say? The eighties were slightly weird.)

Needless to say, I hope the coming days are monumental in their own right. I hope they give you many a reason to snap photos; to listen to your favorite music and dance; to sip your favorite beverage, hang out with friends, and have yourself some fun.

Happy weekend, my friends!

xo