19th century – Page 3

The rules of the road in the 19th century

It’s been the equivalent to an earworm. It has been driving me a bit crazy after I read on another great history site that there were no traffic rules in 19th century London. The estimable site is Two Nerdy History Girls. I always thought that driving on the left was the rule, albeit an informal… Continue reading The rules of the road in the 19th century

Cycle killer: Qu’est-ce que c’est?

I have been thwacked on the back by a passing truck’s mirror while waiting at traffic lights to turn right opposite the Old Vic Theatre and nearly squished beneath the back wheels of a tour bus on Chelsea embankment where it meets Albert Bridge. In short I have been a cyclist in London. Cycle deaths… Continue reading Cycle killer: Qu’est-ce que c’est?

What went into 19th century beer

Who does not like a cool beer after a hard day’s work on a summer’s day…? ok, not everyone, but those that do enjoy more than just the taste. It is a drink that since earliest times has signified the purest and mildest form of the drug alcohol. Purest? The Germans enacted a law in… Continue reading What went into 19th century beer

Asylum seekers or economic migrants stealing jobs?

Research is like rummaging through your dead grandad’s belongings, only to discover some never-told secret. I wasn’t looking for information on Jewish East European immigration; my interest was in Octavius Morgan and his views, as demonstrated by his speeches in Parliament. But you will see what I am getting at if you read this UK… Continue reading Asylum seekers or economic migrants stealing jobs?

Really pining for the fjords

If you had visited the magnificent Crystal Palace in the summer of 1887 the attractions awaiting you were many and varied. There were cycle races pitting men against racehorses, balloon ascents pitting man against the birds and a Japanese acrobat known as the Original Little All-Right and his act known as the Slide For Life.… Continue reading Really pining for the fjords

Yesterday once more

You cannot get a clearer lesson from history than this. Substitute in the following speech from the British House of Commons from 121 years ago words such as Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, ISIL, Taliban and the rest and for Britain, replace with ‘The West’ and you’ll see what I mean. Nothing, but nothing, changes, everything really… Continue reading Yesterday once more

Why advertising agencies were invented

They say ‘sell the benefits’, but Floriline’s graphic realism small ad that ran for more than 20 years points to just how malodorous things must have been in the drawing room of the 19th century. This is why David Ogilvy, Jay Chiat and a bunch more 20th century artists in communication have an honoured place… Continue reading Why advertising agencies were invented