Blogging History: Porno deco Soviet alphabet; Can State Dept use Firefox?; "Blog" before weblogs

One year ago today

Porno art-deco Soviet alphabet: The book encouraged adult literacy through erotic drawings of figures in various acts of copulation.

Five years ago today

State Department apparat asks Clinton to let him use Firefox: I just moved to the State Department from the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and was surprised that State doesn't use this browser. It was approved for the entire intelligence community, so I don't understand why State can't use it. It's a much safer program. Thank you. (Applause.)

Ten years ago today
Before weblogs, "blog" was a kind of cocktail at sf cons: You should be aware that Blog was originally devised by British fans in the 1950s. There were two versions. A Liverpool fan named Peter Hamilton came up with the recipe for Blog Mark I, which consisted of "a brandy and egg flip base, to which was added black currant puree, Alka Seltzer, and Beechan's Powder. It effervesced." A second, simplified version (Blog Mark II) was produced by hotel barmen at the first Kettering Eastercon (1955) and consisted of "a half-pint of cider and a measure of rum."