Talking with Tim » history

Um OK: Salinger & the 1940 Census

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 06:20:29 +0000

As recently noted by the New Yorker blog, Jen Carlson over at the Gothamist has discovered that (partially inspired by the release of personal details of 1940 Census) some folks have cobbled together small details about a pre-recluse J.D. Salinger. An odd way to go, but still interesting to check out on some level.

I am more intrigued by the potential for generic, non-celebrity research:

“Kate Stober at the NYPL tells us it’s ‘more than just a research tool, we’ll be helping New Yorkers create a social history map of buildings and neighborhoods in the five boroughs. When you find an address, the tool pins it to both a 1940 map and a contemporary map, so you can see how the area has changed.’ “

Atlanta 1985: The Stein Club

admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:10:38 +0000

Growing out of the post from earlier this week about T.V. Dinner, a former high school classmate Annette Saldana (now a successful businessperson–and the force behind The Art & Science of Making Irresistible Requests) got me thinking more about The Stein Club. I think (emphasis on “think”) I set foot in the place, which was opened from the early 1960s to 2000, once. But I know many people that loved hanging out there. Why? I think this 1985 North Dekalb Community Television/Cable 23 show, Club Scene, hosted by Brian Smith, provides a good perspective of why folks loved the place.

The video was posted on YouTube courtesy of Smith and the 880+members of the Facebook group, We Miss the Stein Club.

2006 Ron Howard Interview: Working with Andy Griffith

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:38:19 +0000

There’s an underlying quality of these Archive of American Television interviews that I appreciate. That is, rather than trying to conduct a talk show format (“Here’s a funny story, Jay.”) kind of interviews, the goal is to discuss the craft and history of television.

In this snippet from a 2006 interview with Ron Howard, he discusses the experience of working with Andy Griffith and the impact that the actor had on the set, in terms of setting a tone.

Be sure to visit this site to see other clips as well or if you want all the knowledge at once: the whole six-hour interview.

RIP: Joseph Wershba

admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 05:41:38 +0000

Joseph Wershba worked with news pioneers Edward R. Murrow and Fred Friendly. Not many people can say they fought Senator Joseph McCarthy so effectively as this man. He died this past weekend and this is just one snippet from a six-hour 1997 interview with him.

Logos That Educate: Google

admin — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 02:53:06 +0000

I love days like today, where Google alters its logo to mark special events. In the case of today, the logo honors the 50th anniversary of the first human being to travel into outer space–Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.

What Did This Subway Used to Be?

admin — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 06:05:58 +0000

I love exploring the history of Atlanta, particularly in a visual sense.

Edgewood: Present Day (Courtesy of Google Maps/Click on photo to go to original)

So what did this place used to be? Well according to the Coca Cola Company’s blog, Conversations, this was the ninth home of Coca Cola, back in 1898. Then in 1954, the top two floors of the building were knocked off, as shown below.

Same Building: 1954

Sneak Peek: Brad Meltzer’s Decoded

admin — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 08:32:15 +0000

Friend of the blog/New York Times best-selling author/Guy generally juggling three amazing projects at once Brad Meltzer sent me a link to his new History Channel show, Decoded, which is set to premiere on Thursday, December 2, at 10pm. (Ya gotta love that Brad, fellow child of the 1980s, referenced the old LA Law timeslot when mentioning his show’s timeslot to me.)

Here’s how the History Channel describes the show:

“What if the history you knew was only half the story? Brad Meltzer’s Decoded investigates the other half: the secret history of the symbols and codes that surround us everyday. Best-selling author Brad Meltzer has been writing novels for more than a decade. He has studied and written about some of the most revered institutions and documents in human history, including the U.S. Supreme Court, the Presidency, the Secret Service, Wall Street and the Bible. Brad has assembled a team to investigate the countless clues and theories uncovered through his years of research, but unexplored until now. From the dollar bill to the first Presidential Codes, the hidden messages of the Statue of Liberty and the ciphers protecting the location of lost Confederate gold, the team uncovers the truth behind history’s most provocative secrets.”

The show looks to be an interesting premise, plus I’m jealous that his show is sponsored by Porsche and that the hosts get to drive a Porsche as part of the show. I look forward to seeing it on December 2.