By Tim Lambert According to English folklore if it’s mild in January, it will be cold between February and May. So if it’s cold in January, never mind, it might be a good thing! 13 January is St Hilary’s Day. Traditionally, it’s the coldest day of the year. Between the 14th century and the 19th… Continue reading Cold Related History Facts
Author: Tim Lambert
A History of Satellites
By Tim Lambert Artificial satellites have had a huge impact on daily life since the first one was launched in 1957. They have helped science, communications, navigation, and spying!. The idea of launching an artificial satellite around the Earth occurred as early as the 19th century. In 1869, Edward Everett Hale wrote a story called… Continue reading A History of Satellites
A History of Colours
By Tim Lambert Black In the 13th century, Dominican friars arrived in England. They were called Blackfriars because they wore black cloaks. The Black Death of 1348-49 killed about one-third of the population of England. In the West, black is the colour of mourning. However, in many Asian cultures, white is the colour of mourning. Writer Anna… Continue reading A History of Colours
A History of Anaesthesia
By Tim Lambert The word anaesthesia is derived from Greek words meaning without feeling or sensation. The word was used in England by the early 18th century. However, it wasn’t used to mean lack of pain during an operation until 1846. Before the advent of modern anaesthesia, there were ways of dulling pain. In England… Continue reading A History of Anaesthesia
Famous Poisoners
By Tim Lambert Mary Blandy Mary Blandy was convicted of murdering her own father and was hanged for the crime. Mary was born in 1720 into a middle class family. Her father was a well-to-do lawyer and the town clerk of Henley on Thames, in Oxfordshire. Mary was, by all accounts, an intelligent woman and… Continue reading Famous Poisoners
Preserving the History of Rental Homes
When we think of historic houses, we often think of National Trust stately homes, but history is much more commonplace than that. We are blessed in the UK with a huge range of historic properties – from Georgian terraces through to Victorian cottages – and not all of these are owner-occupied. If you own a historic home… Continue reading Preserving the History of Rental Homes
The Evolution of “Winning Big”
The concept of “winning big” is woven into the fabric of the American Dream. However, the history of sweepstakes in America is not just a tale of luck; it is a complex evolution of marketing, state-of-the-art technology, and shifting legal landscapes. From colonial lotteries to the digital age, how we compete for prizes has transformed… Continue reading The Evolution of “Winning Big”
Tracing the rise of online casinos from early internet experiments to the present day
Tracing the rise of online casinos from early internet experiments to the present day The story of online casinos reveals how technology has transformed leisure activities in the digital era. The evolution of gambling from physical venues to virtual platforms highlights changing patterns in entertainment, communication and user trust. Today, nearly 1 in 5 adults… Continue reading Tracing the rise of online casinos from early internet experiments to the present day
A History of Light
By Tim Lambert Human beings have always needed artificial light. Today, we take it for granted. You press a switch, and it appears. However, for our ancestors, providing light after dark was far more difficult. At first, a fire provided the only light at night. Oil Lamps and Candles However, Prehistoric people used stones with… Continue reading A History of Light
A Brief History of Basketball Shorts and Jerseys Design Trends
Since its invention in 1891, basketball has undergone dramatic changes—not only in how it is played, but also in how it looks. While rules, strategies, and athletic performance often take center stage, the evolution of basketball uniforms tells an equally compelling story. Jerseys and shorts have shifted in style, material, and purpose over time, reflecting… Continue reading A Brief History of Basketball Shorts and Jerseys Design Trends