1507: First map to use the name ‘America’





The Waldseemüller map is a printed wall map of the world by German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller, originally published in April 1507. It is known as the first map to use the name “America”. 

‘A single copy of the map survives.’

1843: “A life-preserving coffin in doubtful cases of death”


To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHRISTIAN HENRY EISENBRANDT, of the city of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented a new and useful improvement in coffins, which I term a “life-preserving coffin in doubtful cases of death”, and whereas there have been instances of human beings buried alive the inventor of this coffin has contrived an arrangement whereby any one who may not really have departed this life may by the slightest motion of either the head or hand acting upon a system of opening of the Collin-lid.




The lid has a perforated air plate of metal, or any other suitable material, placed exactly over the mouth of the person, so as to allow of breathing, if required. Over the last named plate, and outside of the lid, is placed another plate with a hinge, so as it can be raised from the air plate, which last named plate may have the name, age, &c. engraved upon it.

1960s : Clint Eastwood and a pint of beer

1976: British Rail’s Flying Saucer




‘The British Rail flying saucer, officially known simply as space vehicle, was a proposed spacecraft designed by Charles Osmond Frederick.

‘It originally started as a proposal for a lifting platform. However, the project was revised and edited, and by the time the patent was filed had become a large passenger craft for interplanetary travel.

‘The patent lapsed in 1976 due to non-payment of renewal fees.’

1938: Mercedes-Benz W125 Record


“The Mercedes-Benz W125 Rekordwagen was an experimental, high-speed automobile produced in the late 1930s. On 28 January 1938 it achieved the record of 432.7 km/h (268 mph) for the fastest ever officially timed speed on a public road.”

1957: Messerschmitt KR200 Kabinenroller













“The Messerschmitt KR200 or Kabinenroller (Cabin Scooter) was a three-wheeled bubble car produced by German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt from 1955.

“Messerschmitt, temporarily not allowed to manufacture aircraft, had turned its resources to producing other commodities.  In 1956, Messerschmitt was allowed to manufacture aircraft again and lost interest in microcars. Aales were particularly affected by the increasing popularity of the Mini.”

1939: Vivien Leigh’s Costume Test for “Gone with the Wind”

1910: The First Aircraft Carrier


‘On November 14, 1910, Eugene Ely became the first pilot to successfully launch a plane from a stationary ship. The Curtiss pusher airplane, one of the first models in the world to be built in any significant quantity, flew for two miles before Ely landed on a beach. Using the same aircraft, Ely landed on the USS Pennsylvania on January 18, 1911, while the ship was anchored at the San Francisco waterfront. He had to use a braking system made of ropes and sandbags, but he was able to quickly turn around and take off once again’

1976-1983: Woody Allen as a comic strip

“It occurred to me that Woody might make a terrific comic strip. So I asked him in person. Woody was intrigued enough to say: “Show me some sketches.” I went each Saturday to Woody’s Fifth Avenue penthouse. On 4 October 1976, the strip was launched.

“In 1977, he related the following anecdote. He had cast the actress Mary Beth Hurt in his movie Interiors. Hurt regularly phoned her mother in Iowa to reassure her that she was safe and happy. During one of those calls, she proudly announced that she was going to play Diane Keaton’s sister in a movie “by somebody you probably haven’t heard of, a director named Woody Allen”. “I know about him,” said her mother, “he’s in the funny pages.” Woody’s manager figured it was no bad thing if his image was disseminated daily out in the heartland”