Retro Victorian

If you are visiting this site, odds are you either live in a Victorian era home or would like to. If you are in the second category, although you may not reside in a 150 year-old Victorian masterpiece of a house, you can still Vic up your place. I’ll be writing frequently on ways to slowly turn your “modern” residence into a romantic Victorian house. In the next few posts on how to Vic Your Place, I’ll be covering floor grates, ceiling fans, and of course, umbrella stands!

Today would be the 152 birthday of Nikola Tesla. In addition to being one of my favorite historical figures of the 19th Century, Tesla is arguably one of the most important inventors in the history of mankind… seriously, he is only right behind the guy that invented the wheel. One could list countless pages of his inventions. (Oddly enough, there are acutally numerious sites that actually do this.) The Tesla Memorial Society of New York explores in great lenght the accomplishments of Tesla, this is just a small clip from their site:

In February 1882, Tesla discovered the rotating magnetic field, a fundamental principle in physics and the basis of nearly all devices that use alternating current. Tesla brilliantly adapted the principle of rotating magnetic field for the construction of alternating current induction motor and the polyphase system for the generation, transmission, distribution and use of electrical power.

Tesla’s A.C. induction motor is widely used throughout the world in industry and household appliances. It started the industrial revolution at the turn of the century. Electricity today is generated transmitted and converted to mechanical power by means of his inventions. Tesla’s greatest achievement is his polyphase alternating current system, which is today lighting the entire globe.

Although polyphase alternating current system is probably not on your list of cool things to learn about, there is a lot more to find out about Tesla. If your interests extend further than the Tesla Memorial Society or his Wikipedia page, you may want to check out his autobiography, My Inventions: The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla, or the Westinghouse DVD which covers the conflicts between Tesla and Westinghouse against Edison in their quests to control the electrical power systems of the world. Not so academically minded, but still want to get your Tesla fix for the day? try out one of these little Nebula Plasma Balls which rely on technology invented by Tesla… mmmm… plasma!

Happy Birthday Nikola!

Check out this monitor mod by Datamancer. It is the perfect device for a Victorian gentleman. One can find this one-of-a-kind item on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260247345958

Alexandria Victoria was born on May 24, 1819. She became the Queen of the UK and Ireland on June 20, 1837 and then the first Empress of India on May 1, 1867. The Queen died on January 22, 1901. Her reign lasted 63 years… That, my friends, is a whole lot of history - too much to cover in one post and, well, pretty much everything that can be written about her has been, so I’m just adding a few links for the queen where you can explore further. The Wikipedia link for Victoria of the United Kingdom is a good place to start. If you are wanting a book, try Queen Victoria (British History in Perspective)

I just finished watching The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I’d rate it 2.5 out of 5 stars. Based in 1899, the film features characters from various novels of the time, such as Dr. Jeckle and Captain Nemo. I’d recomend it, but be sure to set your expectations low… you will then be pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be. :) The good part of it was all the Victorian costumes which were fairly well done. And the Steam-punk… The Nautillis is essentailly a Trident Nuclear Submarine complete with cruise missiles (really, I could not make this up!) with fancy Victorian decorations… if only modern ships had decoration to match their technology. Nemo’s “automobile” is pretty cool as well. If you are a SteamPunk or Victorian fan, I highly recomend it. You can purchase it from Amazon, or put it in your NetFlix que.

 Check out what the astrophysicists of the 19th century were using to gaze away at the stars…

Modern Victorian offers a line of clothing that builds on the essence of the Victorian culture and style.  The collection is amazing… Modern Victorian is an echo back to elegance and femininity…

The Golden Compass is filled with Victorian architecture, clothing, and culture. Check out the trailer below - or the movie site.  Film comes complete with strange mechanical devices, dirigibles, amazing carriages, and of course - top-hats.  It will be released on DVD & Blue Ray on April 29, 2008.

Check out the 11″ x 8″ print of a woman and child. It is currently listed on eBay.

This is an original 1897 black and white print ad for the Electro-Light Engraving Co., Scott & Bowne Building, New York City. For sale on eBay.

I’m not sure I will ever cease to be amazed by the size of the hats…