Science Horizons

The oldest home in Brisbane is the Newstead House. Built in 1846 for Patrick Leslie, one of the first European Settlers, it was sold in 1847 to Captain John Wickham, a government resident and magistrate. This was the unofficial government house until the real one was built in 1862. During this time it was the house for many lavish parties. This house has since been renovated and refurnished with Victoria antiques.

City Hall was built in 1930. It is a Neo-Classical building, home to Brisbane City Council. The tympanum above the front entrance depicts early settlement in Brisbane and in the King George Square foyer are some fine examples of traditional workmanship, from the mosaic tiles to the woodcarvings. The Italian Renaissance style tower offers a panoramic view of the city and the art gallery has both contemporary and Aboriginal art and ceramics on display.

The attractive King George Square, facing the City Hall continues to resist the encroachment of high rose office blocks and has several interesting statues including Form Del Mito by Arnaldo Pomodoro.The works geometric forms and polished surfaces, for which this Italian sculptor is noted, reflect the changing face of the city from morning through to night. The bronze Petrie Tableau by Tasmanian sculptor Stephen Walker was designed for Australia’s bicentenary. It commemorates the pioneer families of Brisbane and depicts one of Queenslands earliest explorers, Andrew Petrie, being bid farewell by his family as he departs on an island expedition.

Customs House was restored by the University of Queensland in 1994. It is one of Brisbane’s oldest buildings, and past renovations included the removal of the hall and staircase. The new renovations were done from the original design plan, and place the hall and staircase back into the building. This building is now used for civic activities, has a wonderful art gallery and fabulous restaurant.

This buildings are full of Brisbane history. You can take your time and explore a different one each day, or start out early and enjoy them all in one day. Whatever you decide it will be an insightful day for all.

Kathy Smith History brisbane, brisbane history, brisbane monuments, brisbane sights, historical monuments, History, monuments, sight seeing, Travel, vacations

To be able to comprehend and appreciate your present state of life, it would be of great help to know something about your past. Not that we are saying you are to be tied up to your past but having a certain knowledge of your family background and ancestral history will help you understand certain things about you as well. The internet comes in very handy in this endeavor as a lot of internet sites can give you dependable and consistent results on search for family history. The sites will present you with a variety of choices on you how can start your investigation. One option is taking a look at various collections.

You may be wondering what these collections are. Basically, these are various record classifications which can be the basis of your investigation. This will facilitate and organize your search. Let me show you how these collections are laid out and how it will aid you in your journey to your family’s past.

Let us begin our introduction to these collections using those that are familiar to us. Birth, death and marriage facts collections are basics in family research. These three are fundamental records that mark the fundamentals and milestones in every individual and the entire family. Ad if unions are dealt with, divorces should also be given consideration. These will create a clear boundary of the generation that comes before you. These collections can also help you differentiate two people having the same name within the lineage. The documents supporting these collections are under the safekeeping of civic authorities.

Nowadays, even if people transfer to different places, one will be able to track down their relatives and ancestors and acquire information about them through emigration and immigration collections. These collections will provide you with a complete list of peoples’ travel records. The listing of passengers and travel documents will show you the lifestyle your relations lived during their best and worst of times.

These travel and documentation collection will clearly trace your ancestors’ origin as they provide accounts of their travel details. Retrieving these kinds of information initiates from the United States Immigration Collection because the United States has been traveled in and out by so many people all around the world.

However, there are also places which welcome more and people traveling each day. Traveling to other parts of the globe can be tracked through the UK Census Collection. This is another way to track down the roots and routes of your ancestors. It includes list of UK census from 1841 to 1901. You can even have the chance to get census documents in their original form. This census covers Scotland to the Isle of Man, to Wales and England making research more comprehensive.

There have been countless lives lost in wars just for the sake of defending the honor of country and its people. Now you can give pride and honor to that family member or ancestor who gave his all in order to make his country proud. There is also a collection available for gaining information regarding the military. Records include those as early as revolutionary wars and civil wars as well as that of World War I and II. Increase the sparks and gems on your trees by including your ancestors that became part of military heroism.

Searching to know the history of your past generation is a worthwhile endeavor and knowing their family history and from whence they came from has changed the lives of so many individuals. So if you feel you have a profound need to know your roots then you just have to lift your fingers and click on the sites that offer these collections.

John Loo History Family, family search, History

If you’ve done any research at all on the Titanic, or even if you’ve just flipped through an article or two about the sinking of the ship, you’re probably aware of at least one remarkable coincidence associated with the great tragedy ” that fourteen years before the Titanic sank, author Morgan Robertson wrote a novella titled Futility about the largest and grandest ocean liner of it’s time ” one considered unsinkable because of it’s new, water tight compartments ” that sank after striking an iceberg. Many passengers lost their lives because the ship did not carry enough lifeboats. The name of this fictional ship? The Titan!

But, are you also aware of the fact that, at the very moment the Titanic struck the iceberg, on that fateful night of April 14, 1912, the film The Poseidon Adventure was being shown aboard ship!

The film industry, in 1912, was still in the beginning stages and had only just started to produce motion pictures. Most were only 8 to 10 minutes long and all were silent and filmed in black and white. Nevertheless, these new moving pictures captured the imaginations of audiences everywhere who were hungry for new forms of entertainment. The Titanic, in all it’s grandeur, of course, carried it’s own film projector and library of films.

Due to the undesirable image the film industry had created for itself in the early days of the Nickleodeon, the snooty, First Class passengers were offended by the movies being shown onboard the Titanic. However, the Second Class passengers were hungry for the new entertainment. So there movies were shown at 11 PM, after the First Class Passengers retired for the evening, and only in the Second Class dining room.

The audience of a few hundred Second Class passengers was so enthralled with The Poseidon Adventure – a tale of six passengers and crew members struggling to survive the sinking of their ship ” that they either didn’t feel the shudder of the ship as it struck the iceberg or they took no notice. In fact, they were so entertained by the movie that it was shown a second time, immediately after the first.

As stated before, most movies of the time were only 8 to 10 minutes long. But “The Poseidon Adventure” had just been released and it was 53 minutes from start to finish. By the time the Second Class passengers finished viewing it for the second time, it was well after 1AM. When they finally returned to the deck of the Titanic, it was to find that nearly all of the lifeboats had already been launched, most at only partial capacity and occupied by nearly all First Class passengers and crew.

This grim coincidence could explain why barely one third of the Titanic’s Second Class Passengers survived while nearly two thirds of the First Class passengers and crew made it to safety.

Kal Endar History Coincidence, Entertainment, History, life, Science, titanic

Most Titanic buffs are familiar with at least one remarkable coincidence related to that great tragedy – the fact that, fourteen years before that fateful day, author Morgan Robertson penned a novella entitled “Futility”, about the largest, grandest, most luxurious ocean liner ever to set sail. This ocean liner was considered to be the safest, most unsinkable ship around due to it’s new, water tight compartments. Coicidentlly, the ship in that story also sank after hitting an iceberg. And an even bigger coincidence? The name of the ship in the story was “The Titan”!

But here’s a small fact that most people are not aware of. At the exact moment on that fateful night in April of 1912 that the Titanic was striking the iceberg, over 200 Second Class passengers were in the Second Class dining room watching a screening of “The Poseidon Adventure”!

In 1912, the film industry had just begun producing motion pictures. They were all still silent features and all filmed in black and white. Most were no more than one real long, only lasting for 8 to 10 minutes. But this new form of entertainment captivated audiences everywhere. To show that it was the most luxurious liner on the seven seas, the Titanic carried it’s own movie projector and a library of movies.

Due to the undesirable image the film industry had created for itself in the early days of the Nickleodeon, the snooty, First Class passengers were offended by the movies being shown onboard the Titanic. However, the Second Class passengers were hungry for the new entertainment. So there movies were shown at 11 PM, after the First Class Passengers retired for the evening, and only in the Second Class dining room.

On that fateful night, April 14, 1912, there were a few hundred Second Class passengers eagerly viewing “The Poseidon Adventure”. So enthralled were they by this tale of six passengers struggling to survive a sinking ship that they either didn’t feel the Titanic shudder as it struck the iceberg or the took no notice. In fact, they were so entertained by the movie that they sat through it a second time!

“The Poseidon Adventure” was a newer movie, and a longer one too. After watching the 53 minute feature a second time, it was after 1AM when the Second Class passengers finally returned to the deck of The Titanic. There they found that nearly all of the lifeboats had already been launched. These hundreds of Second Class passengers were stranded onboard a sinking ship, while the too few lifeboats, full of First Class passengers and crew members, drifted off into the distance.

This grim coincidence could explain why barely one third of the Titanic’s Second Class Passengers survived while nearly two thirds of the First Class passengers and crew made it to safety.

Kal Endar History Coincidence, Entertainment, History, life, Science, titanic

If you are lucky enough to make it to South Africa, be sure to venture down to its most southern city. Cape Town is known to be one of the most picturesque cities on the earth. A beautiful town with filled with modern, colourful buildings draped by the magnificent table mountain. Standing proudly overhead, this giant rock reaches 1000 meters into the sky. It is hard for any city to compete with this seaside urban centre with pristine beaches on its shoreline.

One of the most popular areas is the V&A waterfront. Filled with restaurants and boutiques it is a pleasant place to walk around and window shop. A beautiful setting with yachts in the harbour, an historic lighthouse and cobblestone streets, you can spend the day enjoying fine wine and delicious food. It is also the place where you can book your tour and catch a ferry to Robben Island. The former maximum security prison located off of the coast where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated.

The half hour boat ride will make you think of what little hope prisoners must have had as they were taken to isolation. Surrounded by frigid shark infested waters, freedom was within their sights, but escape was impossible. The guides are former inmates who make the experience that much more gripping as they tell personal stories of their time there. These men are true heroes. It is amazing to hear what they managed to accomplish from behind bars. They planned and schemed and somehow managed to get messages to their followers which eventually brought an end to Apartheid.

You will see Nelson Mandela’s tiny cell in the maximum-security wing, the quarry where he chipped away with crude tools and where the secret meetings took place. How anyone could survive this way for years on end is a testimony to the strength and determination of these brave men.

After spending some time in Cape Town, it is a good idea to rent a car and drive along the coast. Winding along one of the most scenic drives on the planet, Chapman’s Peak is a treat. Featured in many a film and commercial, its enormous cliffs tower overhead as the road carves its way through blasted rock. Be prepared however, in South Africa, they drive on the left side of the road.

The drive will take you towards Simon’s Town where you will see an actual penguin colony that lives on its beaches. It is world famous and you are guaranteed to see hundreds of the little fellows playing and waddling on the rocks and in the waves.

If you continue south to the one of the southernmost tips of Africa, you will visit the famous Cape of Good Hope. Studied in school and famous for being the place where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet you will be treated to a spectacular view from the world highest sea cliffs. There is a trolley that you can ride to the top and explore the old lighthouse and keepers house. After you have explored the views from above, go to the rocky beach below to get a sense of just how enormous this cliff at the end of the continent actually is.

Cape Town is a must see for anyone that visits South Africa. It has everything you could possible want from the continent. Big Game drives, world class diving and award winning winery’s. If you are looking for and adventure destination or simply a relaxing vacation, it can give you whatever you are looking for in your travel needs.

Deb Corbeil and Dave Bouskill are an adventure couple from Canada. Together they have traveled the planet exploring over 30 countries on 5 continents. To find out more information and travel tips on exciting destinations click on their website ThePlanetD To see their photo stories from their past and present adventures click on PictureThePlanet

Deb Corbeil History cape of good hope, cape town, chapman's peak, History, nelson mandela, penguins, robben island, scenic drives, simons town, South Africa, table mountain, Travel, wildlife, world cities

Chinese inventions were heralded throughout antiquity, and for good reason. A number of things from China, such as the compass, were adopted and used by people all over the world. But one invention in particular, porcelain Chinese tea sets, is widely regarded as the best item to come out of this country.

But after these great tea sets were introduced to Europe, Westerners couldn’t get enough and local artisans tried to master this art. Chinese porcelain was so fine and elegant, even princes and kings wanted some, and even just having one such item in your home became a huge status symbol.

In the beginning, European kilns produced almost nothing that could compete with the Chinese tea sets. Artisans just couldn’t figure out the process. What’s more, there didnt seem to be any of the right clay anywhere. The formula was confusing, and the firing techniques were just beyond their skill level.

But then, a very young Chemist started trying to learn how to produce porcelain. Not even 20 years old, Johann Bottger was trying to turn lead into gold for a famous king. When he was unsuccessful, he was locked up. But while in prison, he started to study how to make porcelain.

With the support of porcelain-infatuated August the Strong, Johann found the right clay high in the Alps, and August gave him a constant supply.

Eventually, Johann figured it out! After many failed attempts, he started mixing the proper materials together with the precious clay and produced his first porcelain item. He also constructed a kiln that could compete with those in China.

He made tiny test tiles that were the first porcelain items ever made in Europe. But that was all he could do.

Eventually the complete process of making true Chinese tea sets was solved by a Jesuit missionary. At almost same moment of Johann Bottger’s tests, Pere d’Entrecolles, a Jesuit priest, made his way to Chinas Jingdezhen. This is where the worlds finest porcelain china tea sets were made. After almost a decade, he published two letters that detailed the process of making Jingdezhen porcelain. Before long, factories making porcelain were established across Europe.

Was this the earliest industrial espionage?

David Cheng History Art, asia, china, chinese porcelain, espoinage, europe, fine china, History, industrial, industry, jingdezhen, tea, tea sets, theft

Amalfi Coast – A lovely greenish-blue sea, a landscape of hills falling off sharply to the sea and picturesque towns and villages: this is a birds eye-view description of the Amalfi Coast, Italy’s most famous coastline. Anyone visiting this area is actually struck by the vivid colors of nature as much as by the lively bustle of the people living there. Amalfi, Sorrento, Ravello and Positano only add to the bewitching charm of a countryside that is known throughout the world for its particular beauty.

Pompeii – Just imagine: its late in the evening, people are either going to sleep or doing their ordinary chores at home and all of a sudden there is a terrible noise, ashes and gas invade streets and houses; in a matter of minutes the whole city is dead. People have been caught unprepared and their bodies will remain forever in exactly their position at that time. This is what happened in Pompeii about 2000 years ago and now you can see casts that have been made of both men and animals, in addition to whole streets with buildings particularly well preserved.

Rome – The name is a synonym for ancient history, Christianity and beauty. Its impossible to describe in a few lines the marvels you can admire in the city. No doubt you are familiar with the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Bocca della Verita, Navona Square, the Pantheon, St. Peters Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. These, however, are just a few of the magnificent sights that are waiting for you when you come to Rome. You have to see it to believe it!

Florence – If you speak of Florence your mind immediately associates its name with history and elegant design. This is because this city as it is today is the direct result of the Renaissance, which was born and developed here. Walking around Piazza della Signoria you cannot help admiring the wonderful buildings enclosing it and the monuments and statues decorating it. Close by are two museums – Galleria dell’Accademia and Uffizi – which have worldwide renown for the quality and quantity of their exhibits.

Chianti Region – Are you a wine connoisseur or do you like wine, in any case? Then you cant miss a tour of the Chianti area. The countryside is covered with beautiful vineyards and the soft colors of the landscape add charm to extremely enjoyable trip. Obviously wine-tasting must be part of the tour, as will a stop at a farm to be introduced to the secrets of the art of wine-production by experts on the field.

Pisa – Its seafaring merchants rivaled those of Venice, Genoa and Amalfi in the Middle Ages. Nowadays, its Leaning Tower has put Pisa on the map throughout the world. But, as you arrive in Piazza dei Miracoli, or Miracle Square, you cannot help standing in wonder at the sight before you: in addition to the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the old Cemetery are grouped together to form an enchanting spectacle.

Siena – Siena and its famous Palio, or Horse Race, are one and the same thing in peoples minds. Its true, the Palio is so important for Siena that the people from the various contrade, or wards, support their horses and jockeys to the extent that sometimes a wife and a husband will have disputes over their reciprocal representatives. However, there is much more to Siena than just the Palio. Its layout and the style of its buildings are typically Medieval. So, if you wish to see a city that is as close as possible to what it was like centuries ago, simply go to Siena.

Venice – Hordes of tourists pour into Venice all the time to visit this unique city. Its canals constantly crossed by picturesque gondolas are a pole of attraction for everyone since they provide the unusual view of houses lapped directly by water and of boats going past day and night. The architecture of the city is necessarily particular, but the style of the buildings is always elegant and in harmony with the environment. Take, for instance, St. Mark’s Basilica and the Clock-tower and Bell-tower nearby.

Cristiano Rubbi History Chianti, Florence, History, rome, sightseeing, Tour of Italy, touring, Travel, vacations, venice, wine tasting

Biodiesel is effectively a fatty ester based fuel, and it is generally manufactured from vegetable oils such as canola, hemp or soybean amongst others. It may also be created from animal fats in a special simple process and the history of biodiesel tells us that this renewable source of energy which is as efficient as petroleum diesel has been around for a great deal longer than oil commodity brokers care for us to know.

The designer of the diesel motor, Rudolph Diesel saw the potential that renewable biofuels had as early as the late 1800’s. In fact he was adamant about using them in his engines and understood how vital it was that we not become completely reliant on petroleum, fossil based fuels. He was very particular about proving renewable biodiesel was better. His biodiesel was used in his engines till the 1920’s!

In actual fact biodiesel was used in diesel engines until the 1920’s it was only then that manufacturers decided to make use of petroleum fuel. Both methanol and ethanol are able to be produced from these fatty acids. Even Henry Ford believed in the concept propounded by Rudolph Diesel and he build a factory which was equipped to mass produce biofuels. He believed that this was the oil of the future and wanted to manufacture all his automobiles to run on this fuel.

He was at the top of his game when he built this factory and went as far as to enter into partnerships with natural oil manufacturing companies. In the 1940’s fossil fuel companies who manufactured petroleum based products, started mass marketing and advertising campaigns and as the products were cheaper than biofuels, this soon stopped the production of alternatives.

Hemp has been grown for its many properties and it was grown in the US to provide a source for oil to create biofuels. It was found that substances such as peanut and soyabean oil were only able to create small amounts of biofuel, whereas hemp manufactured bigger quantities. Henry Ford realized this substance could be used to revitalize his oil manufacturing plant.

In the same breath, many oil wells had been found in the US and people were getting extremely rich from selling this oil to manufacture petroleum. They were not prepared to give Henry Ford a market share with his products and started a campaign against the hemp oil product, calling it Marijuana.

The Act prevented anyone from the possession of Hemp (Marijuana) without an appropriate license and the Government would not issue these licenses. This Act effectively stamped out the production of biofuel, as the man in the street was afraid they would be breaking the law if they were in possession of it. This in brief is the history of Biodiesel.

Bob Hobson History alternative energy, biodiesel, biodiesel fuel, biodiesel fuels, Environmental, History, history of biodiesel, renewable energy

Renewable energy sources have been available for many hundreds of years and this was realized in those times. It can be created from the oil of various vegetable products including hemp, soybean, peanut and canola amongst others. These products are just as effective as petroleum based products and the history of biodiesel is really very interesting.

The designer of the diesel motor, Rudolph Diesel saw the potential that renewable biofuels had as early as the late 1800’s. In fact he was adamant about using them in his engines and understood how vital it was that we not become completely reliant on petroleum, fossil based fuels. He was very particular about proving renewable biodiesel was better. His biodiesel was used in his engines till the 1920’s!

It is strange that not more people know that biodiesel was used regularly and was the only product used in the diesel engine up until the 1920’s. This was when the production of petroleum based fuels became more prolific. Henry Ford was a profound supporter of the theory of biofuels as these fatty acids are able to produce ethanol and methanol to drive engines. In fact he believed this was the future of fuels and build a special factory for the manufacture of these fuels. He believed that every vehicle he produced could be driven by this fuel.

When he commenced with this, he was in the top of his market and embarked on partnerships with natural oil companies. However in the 1940’s petroleum based companies started advertising and as petroleum fuel was cheaper at the time, this fossil based fuel soon became the number one best seller.

Initially biofuels were produced using soybean or other oils, in the meantime hemp had been grown in the US for a long time for many purposes (not to smoke) These other oils could not produce great quantities of biofuel, however it was discovered that oil could be manufactured from hemp which could make large quantities of fuel. Henry Ford wanted to use this discovery and recommence making biofuel from hemp oil.

At the same time the discovery of oil had started in the US and entrepreneurs owned these. They also became very rich by supplying oil to petroleum companies. These entrepreneurs did not want Henry Ford to have a share of this market with his hemp oil fuel and campaigned against it, calling the fuel Marijuana. Newspaper magnate William Randolph Hurst became engaged in a campaign to negate this product and was instrumental in getting the Marijuana Tax Act enacted.

This campaign was supported by the newspapers of William Randolph Hurst and he had a great amount of sway with the US government. This campaign got the Marijuana Tax Act brought into legislation and people who used hemp oil products were afraid to use it as a certificate was require for any products of this nature. The Government would not issue certificates to anyone and as far as the history of biodiesel goes, this is where the manufacture of this renewable energy source came to an end.

Bob Hobson History alternative energy, biodiesel, biodiesel fuel, biodiesel fuels, Environmental, History, history of biodiesel, renewable energy

Lithuania, the southernmost of the 3 Baltic States, was well known for its wooden castles, built during the Medieval Ages. At one point in that period it was one of the largest if not the largest country in Europe, incorporating parts of present day Belarus, Poland, Russia and Ukraine, under a Grand Duchy.

The castles were therefore built in a manner to reflect its preeminence in the region. Lithuanian carpenters specialized in wooden structures as opposed to brick castles. Though a few of the latter were also built, the level of sophistication the workers achieved building the wooden structures ensured their demand in neighboring states as well, evidence lying in the Belarusian word for Carpenter being almost a copy of the original Lithuanian word.

The primary residents of these castles were Lithuanian Dukes, people with many means. To protect themselves forts were built around these castles to repulse aggressive attacks by Germans. These attacks took a toll on the castles and many were destroyed or irreparably damaged or even abandoned over time. To this day a number of the forts still remain, numbering around 450. Not many records were kept about these wooden structures and the information that has survived is very sketchy at best as only a few have been archaeologically researched and even fewer restored.

Information about these wooden buildings is sketchy as only a few have been archaeologically researched and even fewer restored.

Looking at some of the other castles, the castle at Old Trakai now has a Benedictine monastery standing over it, while the castle of Krevo has the distinction of being the place where Duke Kestutis and his son Vytautas were imprisoned. While the former died there, the latter went on to escape and rule successfully. The same castle played host to the signing of the Krevo Act which laid the foundation to the Polish – Lithuanian union, in 1385. A few of the other, more well-known castles were the ones at Vilnius, Birzai, Kaunas, Lida, Grodno, Punia, Palanga, Imbare, Moletai, Miadzel and Novogrudok, the last being the place where Mindaugas coronation took place; however this was subsequently disproved.

Tourist traffic has increased to these regions as a number of these castles are or have been rebuilt; these traffic numbers have especially increased after Lithuania joined the EU. As a testament to the increased numbers Lithuania had one of the highest economic growth rates in Europe prior to the economic slowdown. They used the increase revenue to develop its infrastructure.

With a number of these castles being rebuilt, tourist traffic to these places has gathered pace, especially after Lithuania joined the EU. Prior to the economic slowdown, Lithuania had one of the highest economic growth rates in Europe and has consistently developed its infrastructure. As a result of continuous economic growth there has been a lot of interaction with other countries in the Union and across the world. With new personal as well as business ties being built, sharing of gifts and flowers has also picked up. In this regard, all the major international online florists like Sendflowers.ru and Cityflora.com provide regular delivery services to the major cities of Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, and Siauliai.

Kenneth Elliott History e, History, Holidays, i, international delivery service, l, lithuania. flower delivery, n, r, Relationships, s, social;issue, society, special occasions