October 19, 2022

HISTORICAL IMAGES Chernobyl Selfie  The famous photo of Chernobyl’s most dangerous radioactive material was a selfie—a ghostly scene where men in hardhats seem to be working next to toxic corium. Why would someone take a photo with what is essentially a hunk of molten radiated lava? And how did the United States get the photo?  READ MORE →   GASTRO OBSCURA An Ancient Grain Tradition Ethiopia is one of the few places in the world where farmers still grow maslins, the general term for different varieties and species of grain that are sown in the same field, or intercropped. These grain mixtures tend to be more resilient to pests and drought, and to lend more complex flavors to breads, beer, and booze. A new paper makes the case for maslins to be revived by farmers around the world, for tastier bread, healthier crops, and more sustainable agriculture. The question is, why is it taking so long? READ MORE →   LINCOLN, MASSACHUSETTS Paul Revere Capture Site Although Paul Revere was in fact a rider during the night of April 18, 1775, the account of him being a lone rider popularized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem Paul Revere’s Ride, is far from the truth. For one, there were two other riders, and Revere never completed his midnight ride, since he was captured at this spot and questioned at gunpoint. READ MORE →   SPONSORED BY THE MAINE OFFICE OF TOURISM Maine Lobster Bake The “Maine Lobster Bake” is a day-long endeavor resulting in a large-format meal that showcases the best of the region’s seafood and produce. It’s inspired by an ancient indigenous custom, one that long tied the Wabanaki people to the land and celebrated coastal living. Indigenous writer, artist, and activist Ann Pollard Ranco held a Wabanaki-led lobster bake to explore the provenance of this iconic Maine feast. LEARN MORE →   ART MYSTERIES The Seated Man In a 17th-century castle called Belton House just outside of the town of Grantham in Lincolnshire, England, there’s a mysterious painting of a black man in profile. He’s wearing a straw hat, a torn white shirt, with his arms resting on his left leg. At the bottom of the portrait, there is a signature that has long baffled art historians and concealed the identity of the subject and the artist–until now. READ MORE →   FIELD, BRITISH COLUMBIA Spiral Tunnels at the Big Hill At the Kicking Horse Pass in what is today’s Yoho National Park, a hill that came to be known simply as “the Big Hill” became the site of one of the most steeply graded sections of train track ever attempted. But after a number of derailments on the Big Hill and some deaths, a new workaround had to be found. Enter: a series of spiraling tunnels. READ MORE →   ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES Craft a Miniature Room In this workshop led by artist and miniaturist Amanda Kelly, we’ll learn the basic techniques of crafting miniatures while building a tiny replica of an abandoned site. Drawing on a variety of techniques, we’ll learn how to create realistic impressions of textures like brick, peeling paint, and wood on an old plank floorboard. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience building miniatures, you’ll leave this course with a tiny, abandoned room for you to furnish as you like. ENROLL TODAY →   ATLAS OBSCURA PUZZLES Heads Up Happy Wednesday. Need a mid-week break? Spend some time with our newest crossword puzzle. Think you have what it takes? PLAY NOW →   ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND The Hall of Presidents Before Washington George Washington was the first President under the Constitution, which was ratified in 1788. But other men held the title of President—specifically those who presided over the Continental Congress and the Congress of the Confederation. The Hall of Presidents Before Washington, located in the lobby of the Westin hotel in Annapolis, Maryland, helps to tell their stories. READ MORE →   ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS Exploring the Magic of the Galápagos The Galápagos Islands aren’t simply the place that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution; they continue to advance it, showcasing how unique life develops in distinct environments. Track species that can’t be found anywhere else, from encounters with “Christmas” iguanas and curved beaked albatrosses to glimpses of the finches that changed our understanding of the natural world. LEARN MORE→