Ruby Slippers, Madonna's Bra, and Einstein's Brain (eBook)

The Locations of America's Pop Culture Artifacts

Chris Epting (Autor)

eBook Download: PDF

2006 | 1. Auflage
304 Seiten
Santa Monica Press (Verlag)
978-1-59580-978-0 (ISBN)

Infos

Anyone who has ever wondered where Dorothy's ruby slippers, the limo that JFK was riding in when he was assassinated, or Michael Jackson's sequined glove are housed will have their curiosity satisfied in this journey to locate hundreds of items from America's pop culture past. From such major institutions as the Smithsonian and the Basketball Hall of Fame to offbeat collections in the Sing Sing Prison Museum and the Museum of Pez Memorabilia, these pop culture treasures include the most famous-and quirkiest-items from American movies, crime, TV, sports, and history. Among the included artifacts are George Washington's wooden teeth, the Merry Prankster bus, the piano from Casablanca, Bonnie and Clyde's death car, Jack Ruby's .38 Colt Cobra, and John Wilkes Booth's thorax.

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Anyone who has ever wondered where Dorothy's ruby slippers, George Washington's teeth, or the world's largest olive are located will be thrilled to take this journey to find hundreds of the most important items from America's popular culture. Found in such major institutions as the Smithsonian and the Basketball Hall of Fame as well as in such offbeat collections as the Sing Sing Prison Museum and the Delta Blues Museum, these pop culture treasures include the most famousand quirkiestitems from movies, crime, TV, sports, music, history, and America's roadside attractions.The Ruby Slippers, Madonna's Bra, and Einstein's Brain is divided into the following chapters: American Curiosities, Roadside Relics, Historic Artifacts, Criminal Remains, Celebrity Antiquities, Movie and Television Keepsakes, Music Mementos, and Sports Memorabilia. There's even a list of the Top Ten Missing in Action Pop Culture Artifacts.Some of the most fascinating treasures found in the book include:The Cardiff GiantThomas Edison's Last BreathWorld's Largest Ball of TwineGeorge Washington's TeethLizzie Borden's AxeJohn Wilkes Booth's ThoraxWatergate File CabinetAbraham Zapruder's CameraTom Thumb's Wedding CakeCasablanca PianoEasy Rider MotorcycleJimi Hendrix's Woodstock GuitarElvis Presley's Report CardPaul "e;Bear"e; Bryant's HatMiracle on Ice Skates

Textauszug

Birdman of Alcatraz's Cell

Alcatraz IslandSan Francisco, California 415-705-5555

The infamous island of Alcatraz sits in the middle of the San Francisco Bay. Nicknamed 'The Rock,' Alcatraz Island is one of Golden Gate National Recreation Area's most populardestinations, offering a close-up look at a historic and infamous federal prison long off-limits to the public. Visitors to the island can explore the remnants of the prison, and can also learn about the Indian occupation of 1969-1971, early military fortifications (the first U.S. fort on the coast), and the West Coast's first (and oldest operating) lighthouse.

Nobody ever escaped from Alcatraz, which was operational from 1934 to 1963. Thirty-six prisoners were involved in attempts: seven shot and killed, two drowned, five unaccounted for, the rest recaptured. Two prisoners made it off the island but were returned, one in 1945 and one in 1962. (In 1962, three brothers were successful in escaping both the institutionand the island, but survival is very questionable-they have never turned up.)

One of the most famous inmates was Robert Stroud, nicknamed the 'Birdmanof Alcatraz' due to his extensive study of birds. He arrived here in 1942, and was transferred out in 1959. His cell is one of the most popular sites along the self-guided tour, which also include slide shows, sound clips, and close-ups of other infamous prisoners, such as AlCapone.

Bladerunner Car

Miami Police Museum 6350 Horizon Drive Titusville, Florida 305-576-1213

The American Police Hall of Fame and Museum was founded in 1960. It is the nation's first national police museum and memorial dedicated to law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. You'll see the actual car from the movie Bladerunner, a real Robocop from the movie of the same name, and many other crime-related items like police cars, motorcycles, knives, guns, badges, swords, and even a guillotine. There's also a gas chamber and a chance to sit in a real electric chair. Plus, don't miss the indoor shooting range, the forensics area (complete with a crime scene), and the exihibit showcasing the most wanted criminals from 50-100 years ago.

Bonnie and Clyde's Car

Whiskey Pete's Casino31900 South Las Vegas Boulevard Primm, Nevada 702-386-7867

On Wednesday, May 23, 1934, six officers actingon a tip laid in wait for outlaw Clyde Barrow and his companion in crime, Bonnie Parker. Bonnie and Clyde were accused of killing 12 innocent people, and the entire country had been searching for them. As the duo approached the ambush spot near Gibsland, Louisiana, the police shouted a warning. The outlaws drew their guns, but inmoments they were riddled with over 50 bullets.

Many believe that had they not been glamorized by the 1967 film, Bonnie and Clyde, they would have remained what they were-obscure, petty, cold-blooded killers. Today, the 1934 Ford in which Bonnie and Clyde were killed is on displayin Primm, Nevada, at Whiskey Pete's Casino. In 1997, Whiskey Pete's paid $85,000 for the light blue, bullet-ridden, bloodstained shirt that Barrow was wearing when he was killed. The shirt is also on display in the casino,part of a permanent Bonnie and Clyde exhibit.

Lizzie Borden's Axe

Fall River Historical Society 451 Rock Street Fall River, Massachusetts 508-679-1071

Lizzie Borden took an axe

and gave her Mother forty whacks.

When she saw what she had done

She gave her Father forty-one.

Produkt-Details

• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber
• Themenwelt: Reisen ► Reiseführer
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Ethnologie
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Soziologie
• ISBN-10: 1-59580-978-3 / 1595809783
• ISBN-13: 978-1-59580-978-0 / 9781595809780