Clancy Tucker's Blog: February 2021

8 April 2021 - ANCIENT PRAYER-BOOK PISTOL

ANCIENT

PRAYER-BOOK PISTOL

G'day folks,

I've held a few prayer books in my time, but none like this one.

This unusual Italian ‘prayer book pistol’ was custom-made for Francesco Morosini, the Duke of Venice (1619-94). The book, which also contains a few prayers, was made sometime in the 17th century.

It was designed in a way that it fired only when the book was closed, by pulling the silk 'bookmark'. When the book was closed, it was impossible to make out the outline of the gun. This makes historians believe that it was most likely used for personal protection.

Clancy's comment: I wonder under what circumstances it would be used? A poor sermon?

I'm ...

3 April 2021 - ANCIENT ROMAN SHOE - 2000 YEARS OLD

ANCIENT ROMAN SHOE

- 2,000 YEARS-OLD -

G'day folks,

This stylish ancient Roman shoe is on display at The Saalburg (a Roman fort) in Germany. It is another terrific example of the intricate craftsmanship of ancient Romans.

This elaborately-designed shoe was found in a well and is believed to be more than 2,000 years old. It shows how fashionable the Romans of that era could be. According to some historians, the Romans were the originators of the entire-foot-encasing shoe.

This particular one is heavily embellished, conveying serious wealth and status. It is likely to have belonged to a wealthy woman as ancient Romans sometimes liked to demonstrate their wealth through fancy footwear. This shoe also appears to be on the heavier side which indicates it was worn for outdoor use.

Clancy's comment: Wow, so fashionable.

I'm ...

16 April 2021 - A HEAP OF WISE HUMOUR

A HEAP OF WISE HUMOUR

G'day folks,

It's time for a chuckle.

Clancy's comment: Love 'em all.

I'm ...

2 April 2021 - GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE PAST

GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS

FROM THE PAST

G'day folks,

Welcome to some black and white photographs from the past. You might see someone you recognise.

Clancy's comment: Recognise any famous faces?

I'm ...

1 April 2021 - HOW GOOGLE GOT STARTED

HOW GOOGLE

GOT STARTED

G'day folks,

The foundation of Google, an invention that undoubtedly changed all of our lives, was the result of a chance encounter between founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. In 1995 Brin, then a second-year grad student in computer science, volunteered to be a tour guide for prospective students at Stanford University. Among them was Page.

It’s hard to say it was love at first sight. The two even recalled finding each other obnoxious. "But we say it a little bit jokingly. Obviously we spent a lot of time talking to each other, so there was something there,” Brin told Wired.

Several months later, Page’s dissertation on the World Wide Web turned into a much bigger project, involving a prototype search engine, originally named BackRub. But he needed someone to help him build the system, and so he teamed up with his former tour guide, who also happened to be a prodigious mathematician. The rest, as they say, is history.

Clancy's comment: There ya go. Another interesting couple who probably met by chance.

I'm ...

1 March 2021 - TOMOKO SATO'S MAGNIFICENT CARVINGS

TOMOKO SATO'S

MAGNIFICENT CARVINGS

G'day folks,

For an artistic mind, even a seemingly boring ordinary object can become an art medium.

The Japanese artist, Tomoko Sato, for example, works with things most of us reserve for the fridge - radishes, watermelons, apples, and other fruit and veg. The artist is inspired and incorporates techniques from Thai fruit carving art, an indispensable traditional element of Thai New Year (Songkran) celebrations.

Needless to say, the carving of such intricate designs on food requires a great deal of skill and precision. Here are gorgeous examples of these edible masterpieces. After seeing these beautiful food carvings, you’ll never look at an apple or watermelon the same way again!