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Monkeys Smoking: Funny Gimmick or Deadly Epidemic?
... that smoking makes you look cool. Personally, I make sure to smoke at least three packs a day to keep up my ... Keep reading >>
Indonesia's 2 Year-Old Chain Smoking Baby
Photo: admin Ardi Rizal, a 2-year-old boy from Musi Banyuasin, Indonesia, was reported as smoking around 40 cigarettes a day. 30-year-old Mohammad, ... on his actions as to why he introduced smoking to his 18-months-old boy. One fascinating yet ... for the boy's addiction: the father introducing smoking to his child and the mother taking no action to ... 40 Cigarettes A Day 2 Year Old Indonesian Child smoking Video And you thought YOUR 2-year-old behaved badly... Keep reading >>
Why the Smoking Ban is Bad for the Environment
smoking bans are all the rage these days. 35 different US states have some kind of smoking ban in place. More than 50 different countries also ban smoking in some form or another. In the UK, it is ... with almost 80% saying they supported a public smoking ban in a recent survey. So how has the environment been affected? Youd think, or hope, that a smoking ban would be good for the environment. In theory, less people would be Keep reading >>
7 Coolest Links of the Week
... Anti- smoking Ads 10 Powerfully Creative Anti-Drunk Driving Ads 10 WWII Stamp Forgeries Used as Psychological ... Keep reading >>
7 Coolest Links of the Week
... animals smoking cigarettes, and horribly racist vintage ads to lighter, more fun-filled matters: amusing menu ... Keep reading >>
The Paintings of Adolf Hitler
... The Courtyard of the Old Residency In Munich Quaint country churches, stately cathedrals, tranquil countryside, and gentle seaside scenes, all painted in soft, soothing watercolors. These paintings could be the work of an elderly aunt, or even a young amateur artist hoping to make a few bucks selling them to tourists. In fact, the second part is pretty much the truth. Except that the young artist is not just anybody its Adolf Hitler. Oedensplatz (1914) Its hard to believe that the painter of these peaceful scenes would go on to plunge the world into darkness and horror and mastermind the deaths of six million innocent Jewish men, women, and children as well as anyone else deemed inferior, useless, or a threat to Hitlers dreams of genetic Aryan purity. But dont take our word for it; have a look for yourself at the pre-WWII paintings of Adolf Hitler. Vienna Period (19071912)Colored House Hitlers obsession with art started at a young age and heightened the tension between him and his father Alois, who wanted young Adolf to pursue what must have seemed like a more practical career at the customs office. A few years after Aloiss sudden death in 1903, Adolf Hitler moved to Vienna to begin his life as an impoverished artist. Forced to sleep rough, and sometimes in a homeless shelter, Hitler earned a living selling copied postcard scenes to tourists. Musician by Old Town Well (c. 19101912) The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna rejected Hitler twice, once in 1907 and then again in 1908. Both times, his work was deemed not good enough. An instructor at the school suggested that perhaps architecture was more in line with Hitlers talents. But since that would have meant going back to school, which Hitler hated, he (sadly for the rest of the world) declined the suggestion. As you can see in these paintings, abandoned buildings and desolate architecture feature heavily in Hitlers work, which is kind of ironic when you consider how many buildings would be destroyed at his command. Rolling Hills While he was in Vienna, Hitler also started to develop his anti-Semitic zeal. As well as taking in the art, music and architecture of the city, he was influenced by the speeches of anti-Semitic mayor Karl Lueger and racialist Guido von List, who promoted Aryan purity. This hatred formed despite the fact that a lot of Hitlers early art buyers were Jewish as, according to some sources, were many of his friends. Large Colored Pansies Vienna played a large part in shaping Hitlers personality both his artistic side and (although historians still disagree over the origins of his anti-Semitism) the core beliefs that would later form the basis of his dark political agenda. Town Scene with Unusual Store Sign Post Heres another painting from Hitlers Vienna Period, and, typically, the main feature of the painting is architecture. However, this piece is unusual because of the strange, wrought iron-looking sign in the foreground and because Hitler signed it twice. It seems strange to look at such peaceful scenes when you remember that they were painted by the man under whose orders 95 synagogues were burnt down in Vienna alone during the violent 1938 Kristallnacht (or Crystal Night) attacks. Castle Battlements (1910) This 1910 painting depicts an unknown castle surrounded by battlements, and unlike a lot of Hitlers other work, its a very detailed piece. In fact, it must have taken quite some time to paint in such minutia. The atmosphere, however, is dark and gloomy more Dracula than fairytale. Vienna Opera House Corner Scene (1911) Heres one of Hitlers favorite Vienna subjects, the Vienna Opera House. Hitler actually painted several versions of the building; this particular view is from a street corner. While he was in the Austrian capital, Hitler even tried to write the libretto of Wagners unfinished Wieland der Schmidt, but he gave up when it proved too difficult. This artistic side of Hitler offers an unsettling contrast when you consider what was to come. (Showing just how quickly minds can change, in the wake of the Kristallnacht attacks, Austrian Jews were humiliated, tormented, and forced to scrub the streets by their fellow countrymen people who were once their friends and neighbors.) Many have pored over the soon-to-be Nazi leaders paintings to look for some hint of the tyrant he would become but there seems little sign. Yet artistry, its clear, is no barrier to a will towards terror. Die Peterskirche in Wien (c. 19101912) This rendering of St. Peters Church cathedral in Vienna was drawn in pen and ink and finished off in watercolor. Its not particularly distinctive the kind of work you might find on a motel room wall or, perhaps, painted for tourists looking for a cheap souvenir. This particular painting was confiscated from Hitlers Obersalzberg mountain fortress in 1945. Interestingly, on April 30, 1952 (exactly seven years after Hitlers death), the Bavarian government blew up the remains of the Berghof (Hitlers Obersalzberg home). "Schloss u. Kirche Perchtoldsdorf (c. 19101912) Painted sometime between 1910 and 1912, this work features the castle and church at St. Perchtoldsdorf. Commenting on the painting, Peter Jahn, an art historian who once worked for Hitler, said, This aquarelle is very well accomplished, of fine quality and shows already the progress in Hitler's way of painting. Aesthetically, it does seem better than some of Hitlers earlier paintings. Note the roiling sky, a favorite in the future Fhrers paintings. Munich Period (19131914)Country Church (1914) In May 1913, Adolf Hitler received the final part of his deceased fathers estate and left Vienna for Munich, where he continued to paint. Historians say he wanted to avoid conscription. Hitler claimed that his move was not prompted by fear but instead came down to his unwillingness to serve the Habsburg Empire because he didnt approve of its mixed race army. In any case, Hitler was eventually sent to Salzburg for a medical exam to determine whether he was fit to serve. He failed the test and returned to Munich. Mnchen Hoftheater (1914) Hitler spent less time painting in Munich, compared to Vienna, and collectors and historians consider his work from this period to be rare. However, as you can see from this piece featuring the Munich Opera House, he maintained his interest in architecture. This painting shows the opera house just after a rainstorm, with the building reflected in the wet pavement in front. White Orchids (circa. 1913) Hitler didnt only paint churches and opera houses, but this picture of orchids is quite unique. Although he did occasionally paint flowers, they were more likely to have been carnations. These delicate white and pink blooms arent at all what youd expect from a latent murderous despot. Based on the style of the piece and the signature, experts date this artwork to 1913. During his Munich Period, Hitler continued to sell his paintings, and considering the subject, this may have been a commission. Mnchen Siegestor (1913) This painting of the Munich Victory Gate is actually pretty accurate when compared to the real thing. As one commentator put it, His intense fascination with architecture was reflected in his numerous drawings of houses, churches, public buildings and city scenes. Obviously, this appreciation for fine architecture didnt include synagogues. The mass hysteria that exploded on November 9, 1938 during Kristallnacht led to the destruction of over 1,000 Jewish places of worship, as well as 7,000 Jewish businesses, across Nazi Germany and Austria. Die neue Hermannsmhle (1913) Hitler also seemed quite fond of rural scenes, as shown in this millhouse painting, titled Die neue Hermannsmhle, or New Hermann Millhouse. This painting is particularly rare because it comes with original Third Reich paperwork on a Nazi Party letterhead. (Youve got to wonder what some people do with this sort of memorabilia once theyve collected it.) WWI Period (19141918) smoking Tank (1916) Hitlers life as an artist changed in 1914 when he joined the Bavarian Army to serve in ... Keep reading >>
15 Rare Old Photographs of Far Eastern Opium Addicts
... others. smoking opium was the in thing to do, but the standards ... surroundings with an elaborate set-up of smoking paraphernalia. Millions are believed to have ... Plus, it was mixed with regular tobacco for smoking, making its use easier. It's fair to say that by the 18th century, opium smoking had become an integral part of the Chinese Qing ... smokers by around 1870. In France, opium smoking also gained a fair amount of popularity at the turn of the last century after expatriates returning ... Keep reading >>
Open Rebellion Breaks Out at Boston Cannabis Festival
... of smoking marijuana outweighed the risks. Photo: West Midland Police Marijuana is still a Schedule I drug ... Keep reading >>
Bizarre Sex Education Posters from the Early 20th Century
... smoking , makeup wearing woman who is guaranteed to give ... diseases. A poster from 1942 has a cigarette smoking , hard bitten, sexy blonde in a bar and shows that that she is a deadly danger by associating her ... Keep reading >>
The Ongoing Suffering of Chernobyl's Survivors
... and smoking , which can cause as many cancers as the radiation exposure. Women are afraid to have children, ... Keep reading >>
Moo-tal Combat! Fujairah's Amazing Bullfighting Tradition
Going head-to-head with the opposition The competitors begin to arrive in the blazing heat of late ... Keep reading >>
One Holi Mess: India's Incredible Color-Soaked Festival
Reds, blues and purples are among the most popular colors in Holi. The young boy spies the pretty ... Keep reading >>
10 Creepiest Abandoned Cold War Missile Silos
... me. No smoking ? The passage that connected the massive missile silo to the launch control center The Titan II held ... Keep reading >>
15 Incredible Escape Tools Made by Prison Inmates
... range of smoking implements made by prisoners is equal only to their creative imaginations. 2. Immersion Heater ... Keep reading >>
Dying to Be Popular: Dangerous New Teen Trends
... smoking or Injecting Bath Salts It's incredible but now teens are snorting or injecting bath salts to get ... Keep reading >>
7 Ways to Cure Bad Breath
Have people been avoiding conversation with you? Are you not getting kissed at the end of a date? ... Keep reading >>
Could Alternative Cures for Cancer Really Work?
... through smoking 100 cigarettes a day sometimes survive, while others who smoke just one cigarette a day dont fare ... Keep reading >>
Let's all have a cigarette!
As awareness grows of the damage caused by passive smoking, countries around the world are bringing in bans on smoking in public places and work places. However, a ... greater than the effect of exposure to maternal smoking among children in the United States, researchers wrote in the August issue of the American Journal ... Keep reading >>
Scientists Confirm: The Chicken Came First
Photo: protohiro For years the question Which came first the chicken or the egg? has perplexed the ... Keep reading >>
The Untold History of African American Soldiers in the Civil War
... black, smoking a long pipe in front of a tent When Fort Sumter was fired upon, in April 1861, black men raced to ... Keep reading >>
