history Archives - Bill LaBrie

The Difference Between Scientists and Engineers

by Bill LaBrie | Oct 11, 2015 | Essays

I recently toured the Lowell Observatory for the first time. Everyone’s favorite sometimes-planet Pluto was discovered here in 1930, though the observatory dates back to 1894. That was before electricity was available from nearby Flagstaff. Back then, Percival...

Ski Resort Architecture and Artificial Warmth

by Bill LaBrie | Feb 14, 2015 | Essays

Just a few notes on a neglected aspect of architecture: Namely, that cold tends to preserve it. <ahref=”http://billlabrie.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/IMG_0052.jpg”> I was originally going to go off on how ski resorts are stuck in time. Many of...

REVIEW: Humbugs of the World By P.T. Barnum

by Bill LaBrie | Feb 5, 2015 | Writing-Publishing

The Humbugs of the World An Account of Humbugs, Delusions, Impositions, Quackeries, Deceits and Deceivers Generally, in All Ages by P.T. Barnum My rating: 5 of 5 stars An unexpected delight. I delved into Humbugs as research for an upcoming project featuring...

Guns? America IS the Gun.

by Bill LaBrie | Jan 6, 2015 | Essays

“But it’s not like that in Canada. Canada restricts firearms. They don’t worship guns like they do in the U.S.” The thing to remember about the US vs. Canada: Canada has a day they celebrate called “Constitution Day.”...

Yo Bae, Who TF is Paul McCartney?

by Bill LaBrie | Jan 4, 2015 | Essays

Ahhh, Kids: Back in my day, kids were amazed that solo artist Paul McCartney had been in a really successful band back in the day. The band was called “Wings.” They did that “Silly Love Song” record you could still hear in dentist’s...