In the 1700s, lobsters were so abundant along the Massachusetts coast that they would wash ashore in piles up to two feet high.
These crustaceans were considered the “poor man’s chicken” and were primarily used as fertilizer or fed to prisoners, slaves, and indentured servants. In fact, some indentured servants revolted against being forced to eat lobster, leading to agreements that they would not be fed lobster more than three times a week.
As the American rail transportation system developed, train workers realized they could serve lobster to passengers because it was plentiful and cheap. Passengers, unaware of the negative stigma attached to lobsters, believed they were eating a decadent food and began requesting it even when they weren’t on the train.
This shift in perception transformed lobster from a lowly food to a luxurious delicacy. It’s amazing how perspectives can change when economic opportunities arise!
Text credit: Earth Unreal
Image credit: February 1915.Photograph by Walter L. Beasley, National Geographic
Dead End Road, in the Desert of Al-Zulfi, Central Saudi Arabia
Orville and Wilbur Wright, pioneers of aviation, are captured with their second powered airplane on Huffman Prairie in Dayton, Ohio, in 1904. This moment marks a significant achievement in the Wright brothers’ quest to master flight. By this time, they had already made history with the first powered, controlled, and sustained flight on December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. However, their work in 1904 at Huffman Prairie was crucial in refining their designs and proving the practicality of their invention.
Huffman Prairie, a field near Dayton that was used by the Wright brothers as a testing ground, became the site of their most important flight trials in 1904. It was here that they worked to perfect their aircraft and flying techniques. The plane shown in this photograph was a significant improvement over the 1903 Flyer. It was capable of flying longer distances and was more stable, demonstrating the brothers’ growing mastery of flight. In fact, during this year, they managed to fly more than 100 miles in total, further proving the viability of powered flight.
This image, taken in 1904, is a snapshot of a pivotal moment in aviation history, capturing the determination and innovative spirit of the Wright brothers as they pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible. Their work in Dayton laid the foundation for modern aviation, making them true pioneers whose legacy continues to shape the world today.
Lysebotn, Norway
