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5 Questions: Smoking Section
Thursday, January 12, 2017 – 00:45
Martha Matilda Harper, the Greatest Businesswoman You’ve Never Heard Of. She invented the beauty salon, the franchise, and the shampoo sink.
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A weird Japanese game show humorously recreates Street Fighter II. With real guys, sound effects, and all.
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The First Super Bowl. It was 50 years ago this weekend.
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Facebook is working on a way to read brain waves that could let you send your thoughts to people. Even if we can do it someday, who would want to?
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Walt Disney explains his studio’s multiplane camera technology in 1957. It had been in use for 20 years, but still impressed viewers as the wave of the future.
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Are the Marx Brothers Still Funny? Yes, and on Blu-Ray they look better than ever.
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How the World’s Smallest Birds Survive the Winter. Hummingbirds adapt to the conditions around them.
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The myth of America’s invincible military. Reputation does not always equal reality.
January 12, 2017 – 5:00am
Some people collect stamps or build models, but Clint Buffington has a more unusual hobby: He travels the world, hunting for messages in bottles, and then blogs about his discoveries. Over the years, Buffington has found 83 notes—among them, a letter from a couple named Ed and Carol Meyers. They tossed the missive into the ocean in 1999, while celebrating their first wedding anniversary at a resort in North Carolina’s Outer Banks islands. Eight years later, Buffington stumbled across their corked correspondence while exploring a beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
In the video above, Vox.com’s Zachary Crockett and Phil Edwards explain how the bottle made its way from the Outer Banks to the Caribbean, and how the random find forged a relationship among a group of virtual strangers.
[h/t Vox]
Banner image: iStock
January 12, 2017 – 3:00am
Stiopa via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0
New York is getting pickled. According to The Wall Street Journal, not one, but two new pickle restaurants are opening in the city. Two existing pickle outfits are expanding their wares to other locations.
The previously retail-focused Pickle Guys is moving to a new space with both a restaurant and retail shop, and they will be serving up fried pickles of all sorts. It’s expected to open early this year. (Presumably, they’ll still be selling their branded mousepad, because nothing says “computer work” like a good pickle.)
And an Upper West Side pickle restaurant, Jacob’s Pickles, is opening up a sister restaurant called Maison Pickle, opening on Saturday, January 14. The pickles will share a menu with several different takes on the French dip sandwich.
Here’s to hoping the city doesn’t sour on its pickle love.
[h/t The Wall Street Journal]
January 12, 2017 – 1:00am
January 12, 2017 – 12:00am
Many of us couldn’t imagine enduring these chilly winter months without down jackets—they keep us warm without weighing a ton. The outerwear was first patented in the U.S. in 1940 by Eddie Bauer; it would become his most iconic and successful product and change the nature of his business, taking it from a local storefront to a nationally known brand. But he might not have come up with the idea if not for a scary near-death experience that occurred 80 years ago this month.
Bauer was just 21 when he started his business in 1920, renting 15 square feet of space inside another man’s gun shop in downtown Seattle and stringing tennis rackets. According to company historian Colin Berg, Eddie Bauer’s Tennis Shop operated for about a year—just enough time for Bauer to save enough money to open his own storefront.
Bauer’s Sports Shop was a hunting, fishing, and sporting goods store, but Bauer was more than just a merchandiser, he was an outdoorsman, too, and developed gear based on his own needs and the needs of his clients. “If I didn’t trust the equipment, it wasn’t stocked,” he once said. “If I needed equipment that wasn’t available elsewhere, I developed it myself.” If you’ve ever played badminton, for example, you’ve used the shuttlecock Bauer developed and patented.
Bauer backed everything in his shop with a lifetime guarantee—a rare thing in the ‘20s, and something Bauer called “my greatest contribution to the consumer … that guarantee was part of what I sold”—and he only hired people who, like him, were adept at outdoor pursuits. “People knew that if something was in Eddie Bauer’s store, we had personally put it to a rugged test,” he said. His small shop was successful, with a reputation not just for quality goods but also a knowledgeable staff.
For someone who had a passion for hunting and fishing, owning an outfitting shop was the best thing ever: “My business was also my hobby,” Bauer said. “It was like one long vacation. I loved every bit of it.”
The shop might have stayed a small but successful business if not for a fishing trip Bauer took with his friend Red Carlson, a trapper from Alaska, in January 1935. The pair headed to a canyon in the Olympic Peninsula, where they fished for steelhead. That cold, snowy January day, their haul was 100 pounds, and they stripped off their heavy wool mackinaw jackets, climbing out of the canyon in just their wool shirts and long underwear.
The car was a mile away, and the 200- to 300-foot climb out of the river canyon was steep. As they hiked, Bauer—wet from his bag of fish and sweating profusely—began to fall behind his friend. When he reached the top of the canyon, he stopped and leaned against a tree to rest. “He was literally falling asleep on his feet, nodding off,” Berg says. “All that moisture froze in the cold and the snow, and he was getting hypothermic. He was in a bad way.”
Thankfully, Bauer was carrying a revolver. He pulled it out and fired two shots to alert his friend, who came back to get him and helped him to the car. If Bauer had been by himself, he might not have survived. But despite the scary experience, “he wasn’t about to give up winter fishing or hunting,” Berg says. “He realized what he needed was a really breathable, warm jacket that he wouldn’t have to take off when he was working strenuously in the cold.”
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Inspiration struck when Bauer remembered the stories his Uncle Lesser had told him as a kid about his time in the Russian Army during the Russo-Japanese War in Manchuria, before he had emigrated to the United States. Russian officers, Lesser had told Bauer, wore feather-stuffed coats to keep warm in the bitter, bitter cold. And now, Bauer would create a jacket that would allow American outdoorsmen to do the same.
Bauer had worked with feather merchants making flies for his store, so he knew where to get high quality goose down. “He made a pattern for a jacket that he thought would fit him,” Berg says, “and had a local seamstress assemble the prototype.” The resulting jacket was made of high-thread count cotton (which kept the down from escaping) with diamond quilting in the torso (which kept the down in place) and alpaca-lined sleeves.
Bauer took his new outerwear—which he called the Blizzard-Proof Jacket—to his friend Ome Daiber, “a well-known climber at the time, who had also developed some climbing gear,” Berg says. “As a mountaineer himself, he immediately knew the importance and value of it.” Daiber, who had a small manufacturing operation, created the first generation of the jackets for Bauer, who continued to tinker with the design. Then, in 1936, he released a new version of the jacket—he called it the Skyliner—and began to advertise in Field & Stream, American Rifleman, and other hunting and fishing magazines. “He didn’t have a catalog at that point,” Berg says, “so sales happened through mail order and in his shop.”
The jacket proved to be a hit right away, and in 1939, Bauer filed for a patent on his jacket, which he received in 1940. Interestingly, though, the patent didn’t mention down feathers at all. “It could have been insulated with anything as far as the patent was concerned,” Berg says. In fact, none of Bauer’s 11 patents relating to down jackets actually mention down: “They all happened to be insulated with goose down, but it was really the visual quilting pattern that was the patented element.”
Then, in 1942, Bauer made another down jacket that would change his business: the first down-insulated flight jacket of the U.S. Air Force, called the B-9. The jacket—along with the accompanying pants—could keep aviators warm for up to 3 hours at -70 degrees F, and allow them to float with 25 pounds of gear for up to 24 hours. The jacket’s label read “Eddie Bauer, Seattle, U.S.A.,” and when aviators returned home in 1945, they wrote letters asking where they could get more down gear. The servicemen became the company’s core customer base when it launched the catalog that same year.
The Skyliner was a key part of his collection from 1936 to 1986 (and was offered again in 1995, 2003, and 2010), and was included in the business’s inaugural 1945 catalog. Testimonials printed in the catalog heaped praise on the product: “I was so pleased with the down Blizzard Proof Jacket, I am ordering three more as presents for my duck hunting friends,” one NYC man wrote. “My husband thinks his down jacket is the best thing that was ever made,” wrote a New Hampshire wife. And, said Mrs. L.E. from Kodiak, Alaska, “I wear it everywhere out of doors. I didn’t buy any woolen underwear, but with this jacket on I certainly don’t need any.” Other satisfied customers say the jacket is “tops” and “worth its weight in gold.”
Jackets weren’t the only thing Bauer created with down: In the 1940s, he made comforters, pillows, a “sleeping robe,” and a sleeping bag that was was guaranteed to keep people warm down to temps of -60 degrees F. And though one of Bauer’s early slogans was “Lighter than a feather, warmer than 10 sweaters,” because he wanted to make things as warm as possible, he packed in a lot of down. “The sleeping bag weighed 18 pounds,” Berg says. “The marketing tagline was ‘Built for service you’ll never require.’ But you’d need a dogsled to carry it around.” This was a pattern; the jacket Bauer designed for the 1963 American ascent of Mount Everest had so much down in it that it was rated to -85 degrees F. “I talked to Tim Hornbein from the expedition, and he said, ‘It was in our packs most of the time,’” Berg says. “They couldn’t climb in it, it was so warm.”
Over the years, the designs of Bauer’s down jackets have changed, of course, as new materials became available: The company began blending cotton with nylon in the 1950s, and started using Ripstop nylon in 1958. “It was a little bit like pulling teeth to get Eddie to go that route, because he was afraid that lighter fabric wouldn’t stand up to the durability that was so important to him,” Berg says. (After all, this is a guy who believed that “there can be no compromise of quality when lives depend on … performance.”) His original down jacket, meanwhile, probably wouldn’t look out of place in modern retail stores. “Some of the jackets from the ‘70s and ‘80s seem much more dated, either because of the cut or the color,” Berg says. “But lots of people say you could just take the original off of the form and wear it today.”
January 11, 2017 – 11:00am
If your interest in visiting Cuba has been piqued since President Obama’s 2014 announcement of plans to improve relations between the United States and Cuba, you’re in luck: One of the areas in which swift changes have been made is travel. Several U.S. airlines launched direct flights to a handful of Cuban cities in August 2016, and tickets remain affordable and available. Here’s what you need to know to plan your own trip to Cuba.
For the first time in the history of the internet, U.S. travelers can book their flights to Cuba online. While flights still can’t be purchased through Expedia, all of the commercial airlines that offer flights—including American, Delta, JetBlue, and Spirit—allow online booking, and a few aggregator sites do as well, including CheapOair (which offers flights from JFK Airport in New York to Holguín).
But just because you can buy your flights from your laptop while lying in bed doesn’t mean the process is simple. Once you book your ticket, you’ll still need to purchase a travel visa (which you can’t yet do online) and you’ll need to be prepared to prove that you fall into one of the 12 categories of approved travelers published by the U.S. Department of Treasury. While word on the street is that authorities aren’t actually checking records to determine whether educational and “people-to-people” trips conform to DoT rules, you’ll want to be sure to stay within the letter of the law.
If you have questions, ask your airline, but remember: Commercial flights are still relatively new, and many airline agents aren’t yet familiar with specific regulations. When possible, get the name and title of the person with whom you speak for accountability’s sake.
Many airlines and airports offering direct flights to Cuba locate their Cuba flight check-in operations outside the usual “Departures” area. Give yourself the full three pre-departure hours recommended for international flights, and contact the airline prior to your flight date to ask where you’ll need to check in. Also, bear in mind that curbside check-in and similar amenities often are not available for Cuba-bound flights, even if you hold a special reward or member status with an airline.
While several major U.S.-issued debit and credit card companies rushed to announce they were arranging for their cards to be usable in Cuba, they’ve been slow to make good on their word. In December 2015, one small Florida bank was reported to be the first U.S. bank to forge a relationship with Cuba’s central bank, and in June 2016 they debuted the first U.S. credit card to work there. But don’t get your hopes up: Very few Cuban vendors have point-of-sale machines that work with U.S. plastic.
With none of the large U.S. banks operating in Cuba, you also can’t withdraw cash from Cuban ATMs. Which means you need to bring your funds with you. The catch here is that you will always lose an automatic 10 percent when you exchange U.S. dollars into CUCs (Cuban Convertible Pesos) at a CADECA (the official currency exchange office). Finally, Cuba still has a dual-currency system. There are CUCs, which tourists tend to use, and CUPs (Cuban Pesos), which Cubans tend to use. When being charged for goods or services, be sure to ask what currency is being used. While there has been talk about moving to a one-currency system since 2013, no timeline has been announced and both currencies remain in effect as of this writing.
In many ways, Cuba—or Havana, at least—is more digitally connected than it has ever been. Wi-Fi service is increasingly ubiquitous in the capital’s parks and public spaces, and prices for Wi-Fi access dropped significantly in December 2016. And with AT&T announcing roaming capabilities in October 2016, it’s possible to stay connected throughout your visit to Cuba. However, service can be pretty pricey, at $3 per minute for voice and $2.05 per MB of data. It may be easier (on your wallet and mind) to just disconnect completely.
I’m a traveler who’s typically happy to forgo trip planning micro-management in favor of serendipity, but when it comes to accommodations in Cuba, this is not a good plan. Upon landing and proceeding to Immigration, you’ll be required to provide the address of your lodgings while in Cuba. Beyond potentially causing problems with entry into the country, you will also be hard-pressed to find accommodations if you don’t know Cuba well and you wait until you land to look for a place to stay.
Airbnb now lists more than 300 options all over the island and is likely the most affordable, accessible, and simple way for Americans to book a place to stay before they touch down.
Don’t worry about rum and cigar limits! In October 2015, the Obama administration announced that Americans returning from trips to Cuba can pack their bags with as much alcohol and cigars as they can carry (subject to the standard duties and limitations, of course). Be sure your wares are legit, though; plenty of hustlers, including employees at cigar factories, are keen to sell boxes at cut rates, but these boxes aren’t likely to pass muster if inspected. Waited ’til the last minute to do your shopping? You can buy cigars at Duty Free shops in the Havana airport.
It’s important to remember that these policies are still in flux, so stay apprised of changes by regularly checking in with the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
January 11, 2017 – 8:00pm
Idris Elba is a man of many talents: a Golden Globe-winning actor, in-demand musician/DJ/producer, part-time fashion designer, anti-crime crusader, land speed record-holder, activist, and—if the odds are in your favor this year—possibly your Valentine’s Day date.
Omaze, a charitable website that auctions off once-in-a-lifetime hangs with A-list celebrities for good causes, has just teamed up with the talented star of The Wire and Luther to make Valentine’s Day 2017 one you’ll be telling your grandkids about—and it’s all for a great cause.
For every $10 you donate to Omaze’s “Be Idris Elba’s Valentine” campaign, you’ll be entered to win the grand prize: a candlelit dinner with Elba at one of his favorite restaurants where, according to Omaze, “you’ll enjoy delicious conversation and great food. You can talk about anything you want to: movies, music, your deepest desires. Idris is a great listener. He’s also a great talker. He’s pretty much great at everything. I mean, have you seen Luther?”
One caveat: the dinner won’t take place on February 14 precisely, it will be slightly belated, but you will be flown to whatever city Elba happens to be in at the time, with all your airfare and hotel expenses included. And, if you’re in a sharing kind of mood, you’ll be allowed to bring along a friend.
Best of all, all donations will benefit W.E. Can Lead, a nonprofit organization that, according to its mission statement, ensures “young girls receive the educational opportunity, leadership development, and mentoring support necessary to become the new generation of female leaders who are able to impact every area of society across the continent of Africa.” Which means that everyone who takes part will come out a winner. (Okay, one a little more so than the rest.)
[h/t: The Cut]
January 11, 2017 – 7:00pm
Whether you’re known to play a solo game of Solitaire, host poker night, or play a round of Kings with friends, having a good looking deck of cards around can come in handy. If these beautifully designed cards don’t make the cut, check out the options below that have pop culture references in spades.
If you think a Princess Bride-themed deck of cards is inconceivable, think again! In addition to the “The Brute Squad” deck of cards pictured above, there are two other officially licensed variations by the same company, Albino Dragon. The “As You Wish” set features ornate illustrations, while the “Storming the Castle” type comes with darker themes and drawings.
Find It: Amazon
Fans who are still upset about the untimely end of Firefly might take some comfort in this officially licensed and pre-weathered set of cards. For this set, artist Ben Mund created illustrations of objects and characters from the short-lived Fox series.
Find It: Amazon
Grab your treasure map and get ready to take on a challenge with this Goonies-themed deck. Illustrated by popular artist Nat Iwata, the colorful pack depicts characters from the 1985 cult classic.
Find It: Amazon
The set, decked out in characters from the Land of Ooo, is perfectly suited for fans of the Cartoon Network series. There’s also a gender-swapped version with Fiona and Cake, in case you’re into Ice King fan fiction.
Find It: Amazon
Not for the faint of heart: If you’re intrigued by the aesthetic of the Alien franchise, then these ghoulish cards are for you. Each face card features an alien, facehugger, or chestburster.
Find It: Amazon
This illustrated set comes with a different character on each face card. There’s also a silver pack (like the color of Dorothy’s slippers in the book) that was printed in honor of the film’s 75th anniversary in 2014.
Find It: Amazon
These officially licensed cards by Albino Dragon have original illustrations. Each face card has a different character from the classic ‘80s comedy, including Slimer, Peter Venkman, and Winston Zeddemore.
Find It: Amazon
Celebrate the smart aleck anti-hero with this bright red set of cards. The officially licensed deck has 52 different pictures, so you’re in for a surprise every time you pull a new card.
Find It: Amazon
Fans of the ABC hit Once Upon a Time will love playing games with all their favorite fairy tale characters. Each collector’s box includes two unique decks, featuring a linen-type finish and photos from the show on each card.
Find It: ThinkGeek
You can still play with these cards after dark—just don’t get them wet. Each card in the officially licensed deck is decorated with a different image of a Gremlin, except for the King of Hearts, which obviously has Gizmo.
Find It: ThinkGeek
While not dedicated to any specific games, this deck of cards is an ode to video games of old. The 8-bit themed deck has all the familiar themes from vintage video games: angry gorillas, pixelated hearts, and even backs that look suspiciously like levels in Zelda.
Find It: Amazon
Pay homage to a few iconic horror movie villains. Besides Jason (pictured above), you can also get cards with the bad guys from 1984 film A Nightmare on Elm Street and 1974 movie The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Find It: Amazon
These appropriately striped cards feature images from one of Tim Burton’s more beloved Halloween flicks. Maybe if you say Beetlejuice three times, he’ll appear and help you cheat.
Find It: Amazon
When you play a game of Go Fish with these Game of Thrones cards, you can probably lose without losing your head.
Find It: Amazon
None of the decks on this list work for you? Try making your own. This customizable set can be made with photos from your Instagram account. Just select your favorite images and they can be immortalized on 54 glossy cards.
Find It: Firebox
January 11, 2017 – 6:00pm
Getty Images
