Description: Bloggers on The Bigger Picture often describe how, in the course of their work, they come across intriguing archival objects and artifacts that trigger new insights into history. “Hands on” encounters with compelling evidence from the past are thrilling and can be provocative. But so can different sorts of encounters, including those that are driven by data, rather than
Description: When Dr. Ted Reed became director of the National Zoological Park in 1959, he committed himself to carrying out the zoo’s complete set of mandates that included research, education, and conservation of endangered species. All these came together in a new non-public facility, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, founded in 1975 in Front Royal, Virginia.
Description: It can be so frustrating to put great effort into something, and then to have your work and achievements called into question. I can't begin to imagine how frustrated Samuel Pierpont Langley was in 1903. By that time, he had spent over forty years studying astrophysics and aerodynamics. His work on astronomically-derived time measurement in the late 1860's is the heart of the
Description: The Hirshhorn and neighboring areas are enveloped in polka dots, and we love it. [via Washington Post]A new African American history treasure trove; digitized post-Civil War 'wanted ads' searching for love ones separated by slavery. [via NPR]11 African American inventors (including the Smithsonian's own Regent, Dr. Shirley Jackson) who changed the world. [via Mental Floss]The
Description: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="350" caption="World War II. Liberation of Holland. Dutch people waving at allied planes, The Netherlands, location unknown, 1945, Nationaal Archief / Spaarnestad Photo, SFA001015927. "][/caption] During WWII, many spots in Holland were liberated in April of 1945. Check out some of the National Archief’s new set of Flickr Commons photos
Description: A brief biographical sketch of Thomas R. Henry, who served in WWI, was a War Correspondent in the field during WWII, participated in the “Operation High Jump” exploration of Antarctica (1946-1947,) served the Smithsonian as a press writer, and The Washington Evening Star as a science writer.
Description: Keep it in perspective: a new view of earth by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. [via Info Docket]A digital re-creation of the 1796 Shakespeare Gallery from the University of Texas at Austin's online project, What Jane Saw. [via Hyperallergic]For locals, a little bit of history on the DC street names...and why there's no J street. [via Ghosts of DC]The evolution of toy
Description: [edan-image:id=siris_arc_308449,size=250,left]Though Roxie Laybourne may be a well-known topic here in the Smithsonian Institution Archives, there is a good reason she is so popular. From good advice to her pioneering career to modern day inspiration, her work offers new insight each time we turn to it. Laybourne’s interest in natural history began long before she began her
Description: Get ready for this summer's big installation at the National Building Museum: Hive. [via WAPO]Want to play old school games like Frogger? The Internet Archive has a Mac game emulator for you! [via Wired]Produce art. [via Colossal]A series of tutorials from the American Alliance of Museums, Becoming a Data Startup (for museums). [via AAM]470,000 images from Europeana are now
Description: Don't miss out on getting your copy of these beautiful NASA space travel posters. [via The Drive]GPS art by bicycle. [via bored panda]448 free art books from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. [via Open Culture]Learn how to archive institutional email from two of our own. [via Library of Congress]A new 3D scan of Apollo 11 reveals astronaut graffiti depicting flight plans, a