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A history of… shaving (Part 1)
It was important to shave before battle, lest your enemy hang on to your beard...
Oct 17
•
Paul Lenz
10
Today in history: October 10
First contact, a devastating storm, and the winds of change…
Oct 10
•
Andrew Chapman
7
3
A history of… typewriters (Part 2)
In the words of Mark Twain, "It piles an awful stack of words on one page."
Oct 3
•
Paul Lenz
12
3
September 2025
Today in history: September 26
A tyrant at sea, a teenager in wartime, a gangster of legend…
Sep 26
•
Andrew Chapman
8
6
A history of… the typewriter (Part 1)
An early device was "intended for the nervous"…
Sep 19
•
Paul Lenz
16
3
Today in history: September 12
Three events with surprising consequences
Sep 12
•
Andrew Chapman
13
1
A history of… taxis (Part 2)
18th-century cab passengers had to be on guard against wig-snatchers
Sep 5
•
Paul Lenz
12
3
August 2025
Today in history: August 29
A king fights at sea, a technological breakthrough, a last man standing…
Aug 29
•
Andrew Chapman
15
A history of… taxis (Part 1)
Early cabs caused a "great disturbance" to Charles I…
Aug 22
•
Paul Lenz
15
Today in history: August 15
The original big Mac; a man, a plan, a canal; and the last of a poet…
Aug 15
•
Andrew Chapman
12
A history of… tattoos (Part 2)
I am not sure that I could stand "Tattowing the buttocks" with "with most stoical resolution" for even 15 minutes…
Aug 8
•
Paul Lenz
9
Today in history: August 1
On this day: high mice, wounded sailors and scouting for publicity…
Aug 1
•
Andrew Chapman
13
1
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