What a wonderful addition to our historical lexicon. Whether you meant to or not, you have greatly clarified the American (ie human) character we so frequently adapt to our own purpose. Thanks, once again.
This piece chimes well with the one you just did over on Filthy Objects, re: the 14th-century playing cards that survived. Reputation, biography, personal history -- like playing cards -- are very fragile things, and only the ones that are set aside and preserved (because of who the subjects were, who they knew, whatever) are still visible. So at centuries' remove, we assume everyone "back then" must've been just like the pictures, the poems, and the works that have been taken care of.
Thank you! That’s exactly the thread I was pulling on. The archive isn’t just what existed. It’s what happened to survive. Every surviving object whispers about thousands of others that didn’t make it.
‘You cannot paint a supply chain.’ Ain’t that the truth. The industry I work in, puts food on tray-tables of aircraft on a global scale. We do all sorts of delicious, world class, photogenic food at every level from Economy to First Class. None of this works though, if it doesn’t get to the right airport, and the right aircraft at exactly the right time. Our Supply Chain team are frankly, magicians. They make the impossible look easy. Daily. Hourly. I wish someone would paint them and put it front and centre in the Louvre in order for the World to recognise that without them getting it done, absolutely nothing fucking happens. Revere would’ve understood that.
Like so many others, Paul Revere was a man of many endeavors. However, also like many others he had no problems being a thief when it suited his interests.
Thank you, Emma for putting a proper lens on the man.
Emma, this is superb. You took the Paul Revere I thought I knew, removed the horse, and gave me back a manufacturer.
“Longfellow needed a knight, and what was actually available was a supplier.”
Damn. I wish I had written that.
Thank you 😊
What a wonderful addition to our historical lexicon. Whether you meant to or not, you have greatly clarified the American (ie human) character we so frequently adapt to our own purpose. Thanks, once again.
This piece chimes well with the one you just did over on Filthy Objects, re: the 14th-century playing cards that survived. Reputation, biography, personal history -- like playing cards -- are very fragile things, and only the ones that are set aside and preserved (because of who the subjects were, who they knew, whatever) are still visible. So at centuries' remove, we assume everyone "back then" must've been just like the pictures, the poems, and the works that have been taken care of.
Another killer piece!
Thank you! That’s exactly the thread I was pulling on. The archive isn’t just what existed. It’s what happened to survive. Every surviving object whispers about thousands of others that didn’t make it.
Another great breakdown of a pivotal moment in history!
Damn near had tears in my eyes at the end.
‘You cannot paint a supply chain.’ Ain’t that the truth. The industry I work in, puts food on tray-tables of aircraft on a global scale. We do all sorts of delicious, world class, photogenic food at every level from Economy to First Class. None of this works though, if it doesn’t get to the right airport, and the right aircraft at exactly the right time. Our Supply Chain team are frankly, magicians. They make the impossible look easy. Daily. Hourly. I wish someone would paint them and put it front and centre in the Louvre in order for the World to recognise that without them getting it done, absolutely nothing fucking happens. Revere would’ve understood that.
Like so many others, Paul Revere was a man of many endeavors. However, also like many others he had no problems being a thief when it suited his interests.
Thank you, Emma for putting a proper lens on the man.