The Pazyryk rug is one of the oldest carpets in the world, dating around the 4th–3rd centuries BC. It is now in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Pazyryk rug was found in 1949 in the grave of a Scythian nobleman in the Bolshoy Ulagan dry valley of the Altai Mountains in Kazakhstan. The Pazyryk rug had been frozen in the ice and it was very well preserved.
Leland Devon Melvin is an American engineer and a retired NASA astronaut. He served on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis as a mission specialist on STS-122, and as mission specialist 1 on STS-129. Melvin was named the NASA Associate Administrator for Education in October 2010. Prior to joining NASA, he was a professional football player.
Kansas City Trucking Co. is a 1976 American gay pornographic film directed by Tim Kincaid, better known as Joe Gage. It is the first of the three films in Gage's "Working Man Trilogy".
Pingelap is a small atoll located in the Pacific Ocean, part of the Federated States of Micronesia. It covers an area of approximately 1.8 square kilometers and has a population of around 250 people. The atoll is characterized by its lush vegetation, sandy beaches, and vibrant coral reefs, making it a popular destination for ecotourism and diving enthusiasts. One notable aspect of Pingelap's history is the prevalence of achromatopsia, a rare genetic condition that causes color blindness and extreme sensitivity to light. The condition is colloquially known as "Pingelapese blindness" due to its high frequency among the island's inhabitants. According to local legend, a devastating typhoon in the 18th century reduced the island's population to a few survivors, one of whom was a carrier of the gene responsible for achromatopsia. The resulting genetic bottleneck led to a high prevalence of the condition among the island's descendants.
The Aurora was an American automobile prototype manufactured by Father Alfred A. Juliano, a Catholic priest, from 1957 to 1958. At a retail price of $12,000.00, it would have been priced just under the most costly car in the U.S., the $13,000.00 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. The Aurora is mainly remembered for its appearance, however, and is often cited in lists of the ugliest cars ever, frequently as the single ugliest car.
Théâtrophone ("the theatre phone") was a telephonic distribution system available in portions of Europe that allowed the subscribers to listen to opera and theatre performances over the telephone lines. The théâtrophone evolved from a Clément Ader invention, which was first demonstrated in 1881, in Paris. Subsequently, in 1890, the invention was commercialized by Compagnie du Théâtrophone, which continued to operate until 1932.
I Modi is a famous erotic book of the Italian Renaissance that had engravings of sexual scenes. The engravings were created in a collaboration between Giulio Romano and Marcantonio Raimondi. They were thought to have been created around 1524 to 1527.
Trail trees are living landmarks that hold cultural and historical significance for Indigenous peoples across North America. These trees, typically hardwood species such as oak, hickory, or maple, were deliberately shaped and bent by Indigenous peoples to serve as navigational aids, trail markers, and territorial boundary indicators.
Situated at an altitude of over 2,000 meters above sea level, this picturesque Iranian village is renowned for its distinctive stepped architecture, lush landscapes, and vibrant cultural traditions. Uraman Takht is characterized by its unique layout, with multi-story stone houses built into the mountainside in a terraced fashion, giving rise to the nickname "the hanging village." These traditional dwellings, known as "kotchals," feature flat roofs that serve as communal spaces for social gatherings, drying crops, and enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and peaks.
Hymenopus coronatus, commonly known as the orchid mantis, is a remarkable and visually striking insect species belonging to the family Hymenopodidae. Native to Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia, the orchid mantis is renowned for its remarkable camouflage and unique hunting tactics. One of the most distinctive features of Hymenopus coronatus is its uncanny resemblance to a delicate orchid flower, with its vibrant pink or white coloration, intricate patterns, and petal-like extensions. This remarkable camouflage allows the orchid mantis to blend seamlessly into its natural habitat, where it lies in wait for unsuspecting prey. Despite its floral appearance, the orchid mantis is a formidable predator, adept at capturing a wide range of insect prey, including flies, bees, and butterflies. Using its powerful forelegs, the mantis employs ambush tactics, remaining perfectly still until its prey ventures within striking distance, at which point it delivers a lightning-fast strike, immobilizing its victim with its sharp mandibles.