Mystery Gadget 40

A granite sphere sitting on a base. No moving parts. Yet it performed a useful function. What?

The answer is here.

Posted By: Paul - Fri Sep 23, 2016 - Comments (5)
Category: Statues, Monuments and Memorials, Technology, 1910s, 1940s

Pax Victis

In 1930, the residents of Dedham, Mass. paid $12,600 for a war memorial on which was inscribed the phrase "Pax Victis." But six years later a Latinist pointed out that the phrase meant "Peace to the conquered," which didn't quite sound right. It's along the lines of 'Slavery is Freedom.' So the city paid $400 to change the inscription to "Pax Victoribus" -- "Peace to the victorious." But apparently that didn't sound quite right either because eventually it was changed to read simply "Pax." [Waterville Times - Apr 16, 1936 (pdf)]

Posted By: Alex - Fri Aug 16, 2013 - Comments (12)
Category: Statues, Monuments and Memorials, War, 1930s

Really, You Shouldn’t Have

I walk past this boulder, located on the grounds of some State Offices near the Rhode Island capitol, about once a week. This week, I happened to notice it featured a plaque. Here's what the plaque says (click to enlarge):



Gift to the future? Where? Is it the boulder? But the boulder is pretty much just a bland frame for the plaque!

This appears to be nothing more than an egocentric tribute to the people involved, a way to memorialize themselves. Or am I missing something?

Posted By: Paul - Fri May 04, 2012 - Comments (12)
Category: Annoying Things, Frauds, Cons and Scams, Government, Statues, Monuments and Memorials, 1990s

Statue of Liability

Continuing the theme of animatronic national monuments...



ABBA warning!! (Fernando)

Also, no one was injured in the production of this video.

Watch for the stomping at about thirty seconds -- my favorite part!!

Vote for the next monument? (I'm afraid to ask, but won't reveal what I think will be proposed.)

Posted By: gdanea - Tue Apr 12, 2011 - Comments (2)
Category: Statues, Monuments and Memorials

Bollywood in South America

Only Bollywood could turn Machu Picchu into a Hindu stageset.

Posted By: Paul - Fri Mar 18, 2011 - Comments (6)
Category: Movies, Statues, Monuments and Memorials, Stereotypes and Cliches, Dance, Asia, South America

Royal Doulton Lucky Cat

Is this Royal Doulton figurine particularly creepy, or is it just me?

Posted By: Paul - Sat Jan 09, 2010 - Comments (6)
Category: Horror, Statues, Monuments and Memorials, Cats

The Georgia Guidestones

America has its own puny version of Stonehenge? Who knew? The Georgia Guidestones, a large granite monument in Elbert County, Georgia, is made from six granite slabs. They were built in 1979 and are engraved with ten guidelines in eight different modern languages, as well as four ancient languages, that advise people to live in harmony with humanity and nature. The four outer stones are oriented to the Sun's yearly migration and each side of the tablet is perpendicular to one of the cardinal directions. Since the creation of the guidestones, there have been a number of controversies and conspiracy theories based on what the stones were really built for and what their message means. As of November 2009, the stones were covered in graffiti and splattered paint which has not been repaired as no one seems to want to accept the responsibility. You can find out more about this monument on Google or Wikipedia.

Posted By: Nethie - Fri Jan 08, 2010 - Comments (5)
Category: Buildings and Other Structures, New Age, Statues, Monuments and Memorials

Face Statue

If you're looking for an unusual gift for someone this Christmas, consider getting a FaceStatue.

Upload two mugshot photos of the face (yours or someone else's) to thatsmyface.com, and they'll use the photos to create a 3D plastic-composite face statue. Prices start at only $49 for a 1/8 size facemask, and go all the way up to $1999 for a lifesize head.

The interesting twist: you can choose to have your FaceStatue look older or younger than you actually are. Plus, you can get an African, Indian, Asian or Caucasian model of yourself.

Posted By: Alex - Fri Nov 21, 2008 - Comments (16)
Category: Body, Statues, Monuments and Memorials

Underwater Sculpture

Jason deCaires Taylor has received international acclaim for his sculpture park in Grenada, West Indies. Though to view it, it helps to be a diver, because it's underwater.

I think it's a swell idea. If I'm ever in Grenada, I'll make sure to sea it.

Posted By: Alex - Sat Nov 15, 2008 - Comments (1)
Category: Art, Statues, Monuments and Memorials

Follies of the Mad Men #43

This appears to be an ad for a brand of French chewing gum. I'm not sure if the notion of a pair of used panties from the Statue of Liberty is adequate enticement to chew the company's product.

Posted By: Paul - Wed Nov 12, 2008 - Comments (10)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Food, Statues, Monuments and Memorials