Famous giants in history and their extraordinary heights
A chronicle of unusually tall individuals from Og to modern exhibitions. Notables include Goliath, John Middleton, Patrick Cotter the Irish Giant, Charles Bryne, Big Sam, Chang Woo Gow, and Marian the Amazon Queen. The list spans ancient to 19th century showcases in London and other venues.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bashan
Goliath of
Gath
David
Maximin
Pliny
Gabara
Claudius
Arabia
John Middleton
Hale
Lancashire
England
Patrick Cotter
Charles Bryne
O’brien
Royal College Ofurgeons
Big Sam
Prince of Wales
George IV
Carlton Palace
M. Brice
Vosges
London
Robert Hales
Norfolk
Chang Woo Gow
Westminster Aquarium
Brustav
Martin van Buren Bates
Kentucky
Ann Hanen Swann
Nova Scotia
St. Martins-in the-Fields
Marian
Joseph Winklemaier
Austria
Elizabeth Lyska
Boston Globe
Notable Speeds From Wind to Light Across Mediums
The London Standard lists speeds from gentle wind at five mph to hurricane at eighty to one hundred mph and cosmic scales such as Earth's rotation at about 1,000 mph, orbit around the sun at 66,000 mph, the moon at 2,273 mph, sound in air at 60 fps, in water 240 fps, steel wire 17,130 fps, electricity above ground 22,360 miles per second, and light at about 186,770 mph.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London Standard
Ancient Paper Money Sparked by Marco Poli’s China Claim
The article notes Marco Poli first publicized Chinese paper money in Europe during the Mongol era. It cites a 1739 history of Chinghiz-Khan era China mentioning suppression of Song dynasty paper money and the 1264 replacement with new notes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Marco Poli
China
Tchinghiz-Khan
Motherly Encouragement in a Wedding Dilemma
A mother reassures her daughter fearing a count seeks her for her father's wealth. The father’s business acumen is praised to secure a favorable marriage deal regardless of motive, stressing that the title will belong to the daughter no matter the reason.
Explaining Dynamite How It Is Made and Dangers
An excerpt discusses dynamite composition and hazards. It notes nitroglycerin as the active explosive and explains mixing with earth and sawdust, calcination to remove impurities, and use of fulminate timing devices. It describes nitroglycerin properties and handling risks with a New York Times reference.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Giant
Hercules
Jupiter
Atlas
Bo & R
New York Times
How Coal Was First Named
A historical note explains the term coal originated from wood fuel as char coal and sea coal for mineral coal. Sea coal referred to marine gathered material from Northumberland shores that resembled wood coal in color and burning. Over time the name coal applied to the mineral fuel, replacing sea coal and char coal in common use.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Northumberland
Royal talisman of the Hohenzollerns ring mystery
The article describes a black stone talisman passed through the Hohenzollern rulers for four centuries. Frederick the Great reportedly found the ring in a sealed package. A legend says a giant toad once carried the stone in its mouth, but the reason for the golden setting remains unexplained.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hohenzollern
Frederick the Great
Forgetting His Own Picture by Sir Joshua Reynolds
A Chambers Journal anecdote recalls Reynolds forgetting his own work. Burke once presented an early painting as by a student seeking advice, prompting Reynolds to say it was clever but unsure if it showed promise worthy of pursuing art as a career.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Reynolds
Burke
Joshua
Chambers’ Journal
Baptism of Rossini’s Barbiere After Public Fiasco
The first night of Rossini’s Barbiere faced a stormy reception with hissing and ruined overture and chorus. After a second performance the same audience cheered, lifting the composer to a triumphant homeward reception and marking a dramatic baptism for the opera.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Garcia
Basilio
Italy
Barbiere
Marchesi
Sunday Morning Church Protest From Family Tale
A Sunday morning scene shows a family preparing for church with a five year old child resisting the outing. The mother notes the father is already gone and they must attend while the child remains unconvinced about going. The dialogue emphasizes reluctance and the sense of duty.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Aer
Fred
Staff of Adam Passed Through Line From Noah to Joseph
Talmudic tradition traces a staff created between the stars as it passes from Adam to Enoch to Noah to Shem to Abraham to Isaac to Jacob. Jacob brings it to Egypt and gives it to Joseph. Upon Joseph's death Pharaoh takes the staff as a treasured relic.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Paradise
Adam
Enoch
Noah
Shem
Abraham
Isaac
Jacob
Egypt
Joseph
Pharaoh
The Trouble With Rose
A grocer near his home rose at six, went to his shop, and returned by seven thirty for breakfast. His five year old daughter Ella sent him a message to delay an hour and said Rose slept over herself.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ella
Rose
Also Mentioned on This Page
Tepvans
A. E. Wilson
J. L. Vanslaricom
E. L. Evans
C. A. Morris
M. P. Elliott
First Street
E. A. Ellis
General
Yamhill County Abstract Co
J. H. Gibson
Mgr
Yamhill County
Mcminnville
Oregon
Chase & Linton Gravel Company
R. B. Linnville
Rossini
Newberg
J. D. Gordon
W. A. King
L. G. Kneeshaw
A. C. Seely
Asst
Kienle & Sons
C. B. Cummings
Newberg, Or
Mazda
Yamhill Electric Co
Lynn B. Ferguson
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!