Category:
Architecture
Architecture
The Golden Gate Bridge Bolt
In 1937, the city of San Francisco was busy preparing for the upcoming 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition when it was was approached by an engineer from Connecticut, Joseph Bazzeghin, who had an unusual proposal. He wanted to use the recently completed Golden Gate Bridge as a structure upon which to build the ultimate roller coaster, which he would call the Golden Gate Bridge Bolt. He envisioned this coaster being the centerpiece of the exposition, in the same way that the Eiffel Tower was the centerpiece of the 1900 Paris Exposition.
Image source: CA State Archives Newsletter
His plan involved attaching tracks to the cables of the bridge. These tracks would rise 300 feet above the first tower, and then drop 750 feet to the deck level of the center span — during which plunge the coaster would reach a speed of 190 mph. But then it would rise up again, 300 feet over the second tower, only to plunge 1000 feet toward the water and speed through a viaduct into Marin County.
During the second plunge riders would reach 220 mph, at which speed the force of the wind would make it impossible for them to breathe. So Bazzeghin planned to provide them with paper masks to protect their eyes, nose, and mouth.
His scheme was rejected, partially because the city was worried about drivers on the bridge being distracted by the sight of the roller coaster. But also because it would have been incredibly expensive, and possibly impossible, to build.
More info: CBS SF BayArea, SF Chronicle
Posted By: Alex - Tue May 18, 2021 -
Comments (3)
Category: Architecture, Fairs, Amusement Parks, and Resorts, 1930s
Mystery Illustration 99
What fairly high-tech product--for 1911--would require such a vast factory?
Answer after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Thu Apr 01, 2021 -
Comments (2)
Category: Architecture, Buildings and Other Structures, Technology, 1910s
The Sunken City of Shicheng
What many believe to be a mystery isn't actually so mysterious. Lion City, famed for sitting at the bottom of the Qiandao Lake, has a surprising history. The once thriving city, known for its powerful statue throughout all of China, now resides over 100 feet below the lake's surface. This was not due to a natural disaster or any type of destructive force unless you consider human nature to be one. The ancient city met its watery fate due to the hands of humans, specifically those who gave up the land the city once sat on to make way for modern machinery.
While there are many details surrounding the reasoning for this -- much of which we'll get into later on -- there's no denying that the fact that this city is fully preserved is a modern miracle. Although it sits deep under the water, all of its structures, statues, memorials, and archways all sit in perfect stature. Its rediscovery happened almost two decades ago and since then, divers have been repeatedly making trips below the surface to see what new aspects of the city they can explore. Inside these preserved walls lie the tale of several powerful dynasties, an ancient way of life, and some of the most stunning architectural features that are so indicative of China's history.
Full story with more pictures.
Daily Mail coverage.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jan 28, 2021 -
Comments (3)
Category: Architecture, History, Archaeology, Oceans and Maritime Pursuits, 1950s, Asia
The Azulik Hotel, Mexico
Their website.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Dec 13, 2020 -
Comments (0)
Category: Aliens, Architecture, Regionalism, Avant Garde, Hotels, North America
Karate Wrecking Crew
June 1972: Phil Milner and 15 other members of the International Budo Association demolished a house in six hours, using only their bare hands, heads, and feet.Personally, I prefer power tools.
More info: Intl Budo Assn
Palm Beach Post - June 5, 1972
Miami News - June 5, 1972
1973 Guinness Book of Records
Posted By: Alex - Tue Aug 11, 2020 -
Comments (0)
Category: Architecture, World Records, Martial Arts, 1970s
Queen Mary’s Dollhouse
Queen Mary's Dolls' House is the largest, most beautiful and most famous dolls' house in the world. Built between 1921 and 1924 for Queen Mary, consort of George V, by the leading British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, it includes contributions from over 1,500 of the finest artists, craftsmen and manufacturers of the early twentieth century. From life below stairs to the high-society setting of the saloon and dining room, and from a library bursting with original works by the top literary names of the day, to a fully stocked wine cellar and a garden, created by Gertrude Jekyll, no detail was forgotten. The house even includes electricity, running hot and cold water and working lifts. Each room is fully furnished and waiting to be explored.
The official homepage.
Article on the library therein.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Aug 10, 2020 -
Comments (2)
Category: Architecture, Buildings and Other Structures, Domestic, Enlargements, Miniatures, and Other Matters of Scale, Royalty, 1920s, United Kingdom
Horizontal Theater
Back in 1945, Thomas Curtis Gray of Washington, DC was granted a patent for a theater in which the patrons would view the movie while lying-down. To facilitate this, the movie was projected onto a screen anchored to the ceiling.Gray argued that his horizontal theater had several advantages over a traditional theater. First, it would be more comfortable to watch a movie while reclining. Second, a patron's view would never be obstructed by someone in front of them. And finally, the screen could be located at a closer-to-equal distance from all viewers.
I've never heard of a horizontal theater being built. But arguably his patent foreshadowed the rise of the modern-day luxury cinemas where you can relax in seats that recline almost all the way back.
Posted By: Alex - Sun Aug 09, 2020 -
Comments (0)
Category: Architecture, Inventions, Patents, Movies, 1940s
The Wyoming Cheese House
Oct 16, 2001: In Powell, Wyoming, artist Cosimo Cavallaro covered a house inside and out with government-surplus pepperjack cheese. He melted the cheese and then sprayed it on with a pump.Photographer Dan Cepeda, who was assigned to cover the event, offered this commentary:
Specifics of many assignments fade over the years, but what will never fade is the unbearable stink of rancid fake cheese slamming me in the face with vomit-inducing intensity. I've got a strong stomach. I've survived some pretty brutal scents in my life. This one nearly got me.
The house was put on display for two weeks and then demolished.
More info: Cosimo Cavallaro
Casper Star-Tribune - Oct 9, 2016
Posted By: Alex - Mon Jul 06, 2020 -
Comments (3)
Category: Architecture, Art, Food
Slammed door, house fell down
The strange case of Mary Adams of Stockport, England, who slammed shut her front door, causing the house to collapse into rubble.
Fort Lauderdale News - Jan 22, 1975
I was curious what the scene of the house collapse looked like today. After some searching on Google maps, I'm pretty sure her house was situated by the Park Bridge in Stockport (which is part of Greater Manchester). Though I'm not sure what side of the bridge it was on.
Posted By: Alex - Sat Jun 06, 2020 -
Comments (2)
Category: Architecture, 1970s
Welcome Home!
More photos at this page.
Posted By: Paul - Sat May 23, 2020 -
Comments (2)
Category: Architecture, Eccentrics, Excess, Overkill, Hyperbole and Too Much Is Not Enough
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |