Given their noble role in most Hollywood movies, you might be surprised to find the discussion of the Samurai is a somewhat controversial area, particularly as to how the Samurai actually acted. One of the most interesting periods in the past of Japan has to be the feudal period. Out of this era came …
When you think of Italy, it’s nearly impossible to not think of the past. It is rich and complex starting from before ancient Roman times, continuing on through the turbulence of fascism, and finally ending with today’s modern country. Italy has it all – mystery, intrigue, religion, beauty and character, and studying the past …
With magic, illusions, spells, tricks and ceremonials are usually performed for entertainment. It is a supernatural power which makes the seemingly impossible occur. Looking Back In ancient Egypt, there was a magician named Dedi who performed in front of a crowd, where he supposedly beheaded two birds and one ox. He eventually restored the …
The role of the Church in the production and marketing of wine declined with the Reformation, particularly in northern Europe, but this did not convulse the wine world half as much as the discovery of the usefulness of corks about a century later. For the first time since the Roman empire, wine could now …
It’s amazing really how many superstitions are still thriving in our educated society, and one of the most common is the idea that Friday the 13th is a day when bad luck looms. Businessmen avoid making deals on this day, people avoid traveling, women fear giving birth, and all sorts of intelligent people are …
Cookers are no more simple cooking utensils of the yesteryear where there was not an iota of safety element built-in. Cookers have come a long way since the World War II and in addition to having countless safety features, they are also aesthetical and eye pleasing plus user friendly, not to mention their functionality …
Pizza, the way we know it today, is a derivation from focaccia (from the Latin word for fire), flat bread that has been prepared since antiquity in different forms and garnished with herbs, olives, fat, raisin, honey, and nuts. The word pizza in Italian identifies any type of flat bread or pie – fried …
It’s been a tool for diplomacy, a space-age way to keep astronauts’ teeth healthy and has been paired with some of America’s most famous icons. It’s chewing gum — and it may have been discovered when its modern day inventor was chewing on ways to reinvent the wheel. Thomas Adams, often referred to as …
Funny as it may sound, jelly beans do have a fascinating history. Jelly beans have been on the shelves of shops for around 100 years and have been enjoyed by young and old throughout the world. While jelly beans made their main appearance in the 1900’s, they have been about since the 17th century …
Throughout recorded history there has always been alcohol in of some variety, think of this, when you are sitting on a Friday night with your vodka and coke or Pernod and lemonade, does it ever cross your mind how exactly the drink came about. Below is a history of some of the more popular …