Day Tripping: April 5
Monuments, Motor Trends, and Momentus Endurance
Pacific Treasure
Navigating through the South Pacific in 1722, Dutchman Jacob Roggeveen discovers an island about halfway between Tahiti and the coast of Chile with over 800 stone sculptures ranging in height from 2 metres or 6.5 feet, to 10 metres high. Easter Island as it was named for the time of year Roggeveen’s expedition discovered it, it was home to Polynesian emigrants from around 700 A.D. but possibly as early as 300 A.D.
The Rapa Nui (Polynesian for Easter Island) erected these busts depicting unique faces on platforms called ahus, presumably in homage to King Hoto-Matu’a. The average weight of each figure is about 13 tons with the largest being an unfinished work standing 20 metres, and weighing over 80 tons.
Automotive Icon
Buoyed by his friendship with Henry Ford and armed with an exclusive contract to produce tires for the Model T, Harvey Firestone’s rubber company was in a unique position to develop the evolution of rubber tires. In 1923, Firestone Tire and Rubber Company began production of the first inflatable tires. The new tube inserted design boasted a smoother ride and greater longevity of the rubber tread grip.
Already the leading manufacturer of tires in America, Firestone’s supremacy over their closest rival, Goodyear Tires, was formidable. Of course, it also introduced a new experience for automobile owners, that of standing at the side of the road with a flat tire.
Atlantic Miracle
After being adrift at sea for 133 days, the only survivor of the British ship SS Benlomond was found off the coast of Brazil in 1943. Twenty-five-year-old Poon Lim was a steward aboard the ship when it was torpedoed and sunk 250 miles from land by a German U-boat during WWII. Lim found and climbed on an eight-foot raft equipped with a meagre supply of biscuits, chocolate, and a 40l jug of water as well as flares and a flashlight.
During his four months alone at sea, Lim created a makeshift fishing rod with parts from the flashlight, and survived by catching everything from sharks to seabirds. Several ships passed3 him during his time stranded but failed to pick him up. Three Brazilian fishermen eventually spotted Poon drifting toward a river inlet, and rescued him.
Musical Milestones
King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band record the first jazz record by African American musicians in 1923. Joe Oliver made the record in Richmond, Indiana and it featured a young trumpeter named Louis Armstrong who as we know, went on to become the King of Jazz.
Narratives
During the violent aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination the day before in 1968, James Brown completed a concert in Boston Garden by calming the crowd and agreeing to allow his show to be televised. The singer’s efforts serve to quell the unrest building around the city, and halfway through the show, police announced that the streets were quiet. Hail to the King of Soul!
Remembrance
Aviator, Film Studio mogul, certified weirdo Howard Hughes was a millionaire by the time he was eighteen. The mystery surrounding his last years and his death in 1976 are the stuff of legendary volumes.
Kurt Cobain of Nirvana died of a self-inflicted shotgun wound at age 27 in 1994, a curiously consistent age of other Rock star deaths.
Regardless of his political leanings or vocal progun activism in later years Charlton Heston was a true Hollywood legend who passed away in 2008.
Notable Births
1900 — Spencer Tracy said his acting philosophy was “know your lines and don’t bump into the furniture”.
1908 — Bette Davis was loved by her fans, loathed by by her peers, and feared by most of Hollywood.
1916 —Filling out the trifecta of massive Hollywood talent is Gregory Peck, perhaps the most beloved actor of his time. A true gentleman.
K. Barrett Katie Wallace Maria Rattray Maryam Merchant Dr Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Myriam Ben Salem Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, PhD. Terry Trueman Dr Preeti Singh John Gruber Bill Abbate James G Brennan ScienceDuuude Marcus Liam Ireland Claire Kelly Noorain Hassan, BMS Amy Pierovich David Acaster
The Story Of Day Tripping Through History What’s Past Is Often Present