Inventions by the Jacques de Vaucanson
Sublime Dreams of Living Machines. Part II. “Without the duck of Vaucanson, there would be nothing to remind us of the glory of France.” – VOLTAIRE
Automaton for Marie Antoinette and exclusive mechanisms
Sublime Dreams of Living Machines. Part I. Not so long ago, a short video of a truly uncanny dulcimer-playing wind-up automaton made for Marie Antoinette in 1784 appeared online. The queen was no stranger to extravagance, we know, but why this machine, this wonderful human-like machine, which must have taxed the greatest artisans and mechanics of her time? What was its appeal?
Ethnic-Cleansing that Halved the Population of Ireland
It is estimated that deliberate starvation, slavery and the expulsion of the Irish, Scottish and English folk too led to a 50 percent loss of the population. Around 100,000 people fled Ireland for Canada in 1847 alone and around 20,000 of those either died during the voyage or during their time spent in quarantine stations.
Covid Collective Hysteria and Folly
The government has deliberately stoked fear over coronavirus while behaving like an authoritarian regime relying on police state tactics, according to the former supreme court justice Jonathan Sumption.
American Carmakers Rescue the Red Army
Several war time personalities would end up agreeing on the value of the 2.5-ton U.S Studebaker manufactured truck as the one important logistical innovation that really won World War II for the Allies and more than any other single weapon of the conflict.
Putin Reverses Population Decline
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Government to do more to reduce the number of abortions in the country by offering more support to pregnant women.
Lived Once Buried Twice
After succumbing to a fever of some sort in 1705, Irish woman Margorie McCall was hastily buried to prevent the spread of whatever had done her in.
When insults had class
Today the emphasis is on the riches in parliamentarians bank accounts. Not so long ago the ruling class were notorious for the richness of their language. Newspapers owners who really did challenge could also hold their own in any bout of verbal jousting.
Conserving Corruption Inc. UK.
Corruption at the highest level is now widespread in Britain. A world-expert on organised crime and corruption surmised that the Westminster was the world’s most corrupt regime.
Roman Emperors Brought to Life
New technology now allows us to reconstruct the faces of historical figures showing us a very close representation of their actual features.
Michael Walsh Stories and Books 
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