Trucks have captured the imaginations of boys and girls alike since they first began populating our roadways. Today, with fuel costs skyrocketing and a decaying infrastructure, trucks are not as common a sight as they were a few scant decades ago, although they will never be fully replaced. Alternatives, such as boats, planes, and trains … Read more
In the world of music, one of the instruments often associated with calm, soothing melodies is the violin. However, the violin family also includes fiddles, a variation of the violin which is played fast and loose, compared to the careful, structured pace of violins. But despite the difference in play style, violins and fiddles are … Read more
When you think of barns, you probably picture a red building with a peaked roof, outside silo, and big doors. But the term barn actually originated from two Old English terms: bereærn (barley house) and beretun (barley enclosure). Indeed, barns were originally used for storing barley and other grains before expanding into use as livestock … Read more
In 1889, a strange new type of horseless carriage was introduced in Paris. The driver sat in an exposed seat, while the passengers were in an enclosed cabin. People commented that the cabin roof resembled the black cloaks worn by folks in the Limousin countryside. The association stuck. Limos are vehicles with the driver separated … Read more
Sidewalks haven’t always been commonplace, even though they’ve existed since the Classical Era. And until recently, curbs were even more rare. We know that curbing along roads has existed since at least Pompeii, but it wasn’t until the late 1700s that sidewalks were deemed important enough to safety to warrant legislation that they became more … Read more
The crossbow has a very long and misunderstood history. Originally invented by the Chinese, it wasn’t as popular in medieval warfare as role-playing games suggest. In fact, crossbows were actually banned for a time in Europe due to the fact that they could pierce armor. They were known to be used frequently in hunting, which … Read more
We’ve taken a look at a lot of different musical instruments that have a surprising number of variations, such as bagpipes, bells, flutes, and trombones. These have been around for hundreds or even thousands of years and can have vastly different designs. But what about a musical instrument that is so perfect for its role … Read more
One of the oldest and most easily recognizable instruments in the world, the flute can be found in almost every corner of the planet. The earliest recovered flutes were made of bone and date back more than 40,000 years. Today, simpler flutes still exist, but most have become quite complex and may be made of … Read more
Bagpipes – the mere utterance of this word can bring shivers of excitement to some and cause others to run for their earplugs. But love them or hate them, bagpipes are far more popular than most people realize and are among the oldest instruments still in use. For example, in Scotland, pipers are regarded as … Read more
Just about everyone can identify a bulldozer or dump truck, but these iconic construction vehicles barely scratch the surface of what’s out there. From trailer-mounted accessories to massive excavators, you might be surprised at what’s available. Here are 27 different types of construction vehicles to whet your appetite. See Also: 12 Types of Fire Trucks … Read more
