Vintage Rollerskates

Photograph Details: Nikon D40 Focal length 55mm ISO-200 exp: 1/250 f8

The first patented roller skate was introduced in 1760. The inventor was a Belgian named John Joseph Merlin. His invention did not become very popular. The initial "test pilot" of the first prototype of the skate was in the city of Huy, which had a party with Merlin playing the violin.

In 1863, James Plimpton from Massachusetts invented the "rocking" skate. This was an improvement on the roller skate that allowed skaters to turn easily around corners. This invention opened the door for the masses to enjoy roller skating.

Eventually, roller skating evolved from just a pastime to a competitive sport, beginning with roller hockey. This sport became so popular that it even made an appearance in the Olympics in 1992. Roller Skating was considered as an event at the 2012 Summer Olympics. The National Sporting Goods Association statistics showed, from a 1999 study, that 2.5 million people played roller hockey. Other roller skating sports include speed skating, figure skating, jam skating and roller derby. Roller skating popularity exploded during the disco era but tapered off in the 80s and 90s.

The Roller Skating Rink Operators Association was developed in the United States in 1937. It is currently named the Roller Skating Association. The association promotes roller skating and offers classes to the public, aiming to educate the population about roller skating. The current President is Bobby Pender. The Roller Skating Association headquarters is located in Indianapolis.

(source)

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I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

Photograph Details: Nikon D7000 Focal length 55mm ISO-320 exp: 1/25000 f5.6

"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" (also commonly known as "Daffodils" or "The Daffodils") is a poem by William Wordsworth.

It was inspired by an event on April 15, 1802, in which Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy, came across a "long belt" ofdaffodils. Written in 1804, it was first published in 1807 in Poems in Two Volumes, and a revised version, the more commonly known, was released in 1815. It consists of four six-line stanzas, in iambic tetrameter and an ABABCC rhyme scheme.

It is usually considered Wordsworth's most famous work. In the "Nation's Favourite Poems", a poll carried out by the BBC's Bookworm, "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" came fifth. Well known, and often anthologised, "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" is commonly seen as a classic of English romanticism within poetry, although the original version was poorly reviewed by Wordsworth's contemporaries.

Sometimes you just need a hug

Photograph Details: Nikon D40 Focal length 300mm ISO-800 exp: 1/200 f5.6

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The History of Dover Castle

Photograph Details: Nikon D7000 Focal length 18mm ISO-200 exp: 1/400 f10

Originally the site may have been fortified with earthworks in the Iron Age or earlier, before the Romans invaded in AD43. This is suggested on the basis of the unusual pattern of the earthworks which does not seem to be a perfect fit for the medieval castle, excavations have provided evidence of Iron Age occupation within the locality of the castle, but it is not certain whether this is associated with the hillfort. There have also been excavations on the mound which the church and Roman Pharos are situated on and has been discovered to be a Bronze Age mound.

The site also contained one of Dover's two 80-foot (24 m) Roman lighthouses (or Pharoses), one of which still survives, whilst the remains of the other is located on the opposing Western Heights, across the city of Dover. On the site is a classic montrol (campsite) where the Normans landed after their victorious conquest.

The Evolution of Charles Darwin

Down House - The Home of Charles Darwin

Photograph Details: Nikon D7000 Focal length 24mm ISO-320 exp: 1/500 f11

Charles Darwin (12/02/1809 - 19/04/1882) is known throughout the world as the man who figured out evolution. He published his most famous work "On The Origin Of Species" in 1859. He got his inspiration from his global sea journey of 4 years onboard HMS Beagle which set sail on 27th December 183 and returned to England on 2nd October 1836.

Darwin stated that natural selection is instrumental in the creation of new species. Natural Selection is essentially survival of the fittest, stating that the weaker of a species will loose out to the stronger as a result of being able to fight for food and survival. In 1871 Darwin updated his ideas and included sexual selection.
This addendum was included to explain the presence of features in animals which could be seen to hinder survival and he used the idea of peacock's tail feathers.