British automaton maker Paul Spooner is featured in the latest release from Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, and it does not disappoint. This time he ruminates on the politics of 19th century… Read the rest of the article: Paul Spooner's latest automaton takes on Manifest Destiny
Although not new, "Instant: The Story of Polaroid" is still a wonderful book all about the history of Edwin Land and his creation of instant photography. If you're old enough,… Read the rest of the article: Enjoy two different looks at the impossibly-instant Polaroid camera
If you're a fan of rock music and its history, you'll appreciate the depth of research and the oceans of info contained in every episode of Andrew Hickey's podcast "A… Read the rest of the article: Take a deep dive into rock history. 500 songs deep.
Mattel announces their release of the latest doll: a Diwali Barbie doll just in time for the Festival of Lights. Created with the help of Indian fashion designer Anita Dongre,… Read the rest of the article: Mattel releases Diwali Barbie doll
During the COVID shutdown, my wife and I were delighted to binge on the many YouTube painting videos posted by Dinotopia artist James Gurney. He was the art instructor we… Read the rest of the article: Artist James Gurney's fake-out videos still good
Anyone in a later part of a creative career would particularly appreciate this 2023 docu film "Flipside," by filmmaker Chris Wilcha. The fading used-record store from the title and its… Read the rest of the article: Flipside documentary looks at creators and their careers
Two years after backers of the project previewed it, the profile of Hell Boy creator Mike Mignola is now streaming on Amazon Prime, Google Play, Apple TV and more. "Heartfelt.… Read the rest of the article: "Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters" docu streaming now
Recently retired WNBA player Sue Bird now has her own "Barbie' style doll. "This collectible Sue Bird doll joins the Barbie Hall of Fame dressed in her iconic No. 10… Read the rest of the article: Mattel releases Sue Bird Barbie doll
Michelle Gerard of Bored Panda asked 5 chefs to create new foods with cooking toys from their childhood—and they did NOT disappoint! The recipes sound and look great (regardless if… Read the rest of the article: Chefs create new recipes for vintage food toys
For a fun look back at 1950's San Francisco watch the film noir classic '"The Lineup." It was a 1958 movie based on the TV series of the same name.… Read the rest of the article: Get a look back at 1950's San Francisco
Visitors to Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport are in for a visual treat—some now and some to be inaugurated in 2025-26. Look down as you take off or land to… Read the rest of the article: Enjoy some art as you land or take off in Paris
On a recent trip to Portugal I discovered The Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro Museum. According to its website it's "the most entertaining museum in Lisbon"—and I agree! Polymath Pinheiro was a… Read the rest of the article: Meet Portugal's first cartoonist, Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro
The nationwide group of specialty toy retailers have spoken: sure, Dinosaurs are still number one, but there is new popular theme for toys on the top ten with a bullet:… Read the rest of the article: Capybaras are the toy business's new unicorn
I was so excited to go to Porto's coolest bookstore— no, not that one. Everybody else can buy their timed ticket (really a prepaid book purchase) to get into Livaria… Read the rest of the article: Check out Porto's other cool bookstore—even if you're not a Tintin fan
If you have a long enough layover, why not take a trip back to the Mad Men era of the 60s and visit the fantastically refurbed TWA terminal? The Eero… Read the rest of the article: Go back in time at JFK's refurbished TWA terminal
One of my favorite places while recently visiting Lisbon was a charming little shop full of vintage dolls and toys: Hospital de Bonecas, The Doll Hospital. In 1830, a herb… Read the rest of the article: Visit Hospital de Bonecas, Lisbon's doll hospital
They were a huge group in the 70s. Their songs "You Made Me So Very Happy," "Spinning Wheel," and "And When I Die" were the very soundtrack of the early… Read the rest of the article: What happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears?
I've heard of selling toys in a "blind assortment" (individual toys packed in "surprise" closed boxes—you don't know which one you'll get!), but this recent Mattel Hot Wheels car is… Read the rest of the article: Braille Hot Wheels cars
Just what is a "horological conservator?" Ms. Cox takes care of timepieces, repairs and re-creates antique mechanisms, makes magical automaton birds sing, leads classes in geometric engraving with a Guillochè… Read the rest of the article: Meet horological conservator Brittany Nicole Cox
In time when many cities are seeing the extremes of gentrification, repetitive national chain stores, and the loss of local mom-and-pop retailers, it was a delight to come across a… Read the rest of the article: Meet your fellow mudlarks at this curiosity shop
