The Detroit Science Center’s exhibition “Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius” features 60 of the Renaissance man’s inventions in wooden models – some of which, like the fly-wheel, you can actually play with.
Author: Matthew Westphal
Children’s Literature for a Financial Meltdown
“A review of popular American children’s books of the past century reveals a recurring theme in the children’s publishing industry: When times are tough, cue the stories about times that were even tougher.”
BBC Worldwide Faces Political Heat for Its Success
A British MP is launching an inquiry into whether the commercial arm of the UK’s public broadcaster has become too aggressive and is unfairly competing with private enterprise.
Mortier’s Successor at Paris Opera Has Stroke
“Nicolas Joël, noted stage director, director of the Opéra de Toulouse and general director designate of the Opéra National de Paris, was felled by a stroke in late August. Joël, 55, remains hospitalized in Toulouse.”
That’s One Durable Brand Identity
The red-circle-and-blue-bar of the London Underground “is one of the earliest, best, most familiar and enduring of all corporate logos. It’s been around in one guise or another for exactly 100 years ago this autumn.” (includes historical slide show)
Kimmel Center Meets Its Endowment Campaign Goal
The Philadelphia arts center has announced that “it has pledges in place to meet its goal of a $72 million endowment.” This year the Kimmel also achieved a $1.2 million operating surplus and retired its $30 million debt.
Star-Ledger Saved (For Now)
“The Star-Ledger of Newark, New Jersey, the 15th largest U.S. newspaper by circulation, will not be sold after one of its unions agreed to concessions that the paper said will allow it to stay in business.”
Don’t They Have Barnes & Noble There?
“People would be able to chat, drink coffee and watch videos in English libraries under a new government proposal… Andy Burnham, the Secretary of State for Culture, will today launch a consultation on changing the face of libraries which he believes are out of touch.”
UK to Get Its First Gay History Museum
The £10 million collection, to be housed in London and called Proud Nation, will include ancient papyri, medieval documents on same-sex partnerships, the door to Oscar Wilde’s jail cell, and the 1970s doll Gay Bob, complete with closet to come out of.
Looking for Spiritual Meaning in the Banking Meltdown
With all the financial turmoil coinciding with Yom Kippur and the end of Ramadan, clergymen are fielding some tough questions. “The young man, a business student, had a theological complaint to register: Why did Islam make such a big deal about the principle of mutual benefit? What was the matter with just taking care of yourself?”