Latest revision as of 17:32, 23 May 2024

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Original "Bondi Blue" iMac

The iMac G3, originally released as the iMac, is a series of personal computers sold by Apple Computer from 1998 to 2003. Following Steve Jobs's return to the financially troubled company that he co-founded, he aggressively restructured its offerings. The iMac was envisioned as Apple's new inexpensive and consumer-friendly desktop product, focused on easy connection to the Internet. Apple's head of design Jony Ive and his team created a striking teardrop-shaped all-in-one design based around a cathode-ray tube display, shrouded in translucent colored plastic. The iMac eschewed legacy technologies like serial ports and floppy-disk drives in favor of CD-ROMs and USB ports. Selling more than six million units, the iMac was a commercial success for Apple, helping to save it from bankruptcy whilst influencing the look of future computers and consumer products. The original model was revised several times and was succeeded by the iMac G4 and eMac. (Full article...)

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Amy Sawyer

... that Amy Sawyer (pictured) was the only woman to contribute to the more than a thousand illustrations created for H. Rider Haggard's works during his lifetime?
... that President Ieremia Tabai of Kiribati was elected in 1978, 1982, 1983 and 1987, although his eligibility for the fourth term was subject to a legal challenge?
... that Chinese archaeologist Zou Heng was forced to work as a poultry farmer during the Cultural Revolution?
... that the American Pigeon Museum & Library keeps a flock of hundreds of pigeons for public viewing?
... that Major General Jarrett Robertson earned the nickname "Desert Fox" by having similar skills in battle to German field marshal Erwin Rommel, who held the same nickname?
... that despite being New Zealand's biggest earthquake in 78 years, the 2009 Dusky Sound earthquake caused only minor damage?
... that college football player Reggie Brown tore three knee ligaments but still made it to the NFL?
... that the Linda Lindas wrote No Obligation, their second album, during breaks from school and touring?
... that the Historia Divae Monacellae, a medieval hagiography, tells of wild hares performing miracles?

In the news

Srettha Thavisin

Thailand's Constitutional Court dismisses Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin (pictured) due to his appointment of a minister who had served time in jail.
Voepass Linhas Aéreas Flight 2283 crashes in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, killing all 62 people on board.
Sheikh Hasina resigns as Prime Minister of Bangladesh following anti-government protests, and Muhammad Yunus is appointed leader of an interim government.
Following a mass stabbing in Southport, far-right protesters riot in England and Northern Ireland.

On this day

August 15: Independence Day in India (1947); National Liberation Day of Korea (1945)

Peter, King of Hungary

718 – Forces of the Umayyad Caliphate abandoned a year-long siege of Constantinople, ending their goal of conquering the Byzantine Empire.
1038 – Upon the death of his uncle Stephen I, Peter (depicted) became the second king of Hungary.
1909 – A military coup against the government of Dimitrios Rallis began in the neighbourhood of Goudi in Athens, Greece.
1944 – World War II: Allied forces began Operation Dragoon, their invasion of southern France.
1998 – The Troubles: A car bomb attack carried out by the Real Irish Republican Army killed 29 people and injured approximately 220 others in Omagh, Northern Ireland.

Nikephoros Phokas Barytrachelos (d. 1022)
Charles Comiskey (b. 1859)
Bernard Fanning (b. 1969)
Hanna Greally (d. 1987)

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Today's featured picture

The Kefermarkt altarpiece is a richly decorated wooden altarpiece in the Late Gothic style in the parish church of Kefermarkt in Upper Austria. Commissioned by the knight Christoph von Zelking, it was completed around 1497. Saints Peter, Wolfgang and Christopher are depicted in the central section. The wing panels depict scenes from the life of Mary, and the altarpiece also has an intricate superstructure and two side figures of Saints George and Florian. The identity of its maker, known by the notname Master of the Kefermarkt Altarpiece, is unknown, but at least two skilled sculptors appear to have created the main statuary. Throughout the centuries, it has been altered and lost its original paint and gilding; a major restoration was undertaken in the 19th century under the direction of Adalbert Stifter. The altarpiece has been described as "one of the greatest achievements in late-medieval sculpture in the German-speaking area". This image shows the lower-left wing panel of the Kefermarkt altarpiece, depicting the death of Mary. She lies peacefully in her deathbed, while a diminutive angel holds the curtain apart so that the viewer can see Mary better. The twelve apostles are all present, each one depicted with individual traits. Above the head of Saint Peter, Christ appears in a cloud, receiving the soul of his mother in the form of a small figure.

Sculpture credit: Master of the Kefermarkt Altarpiece; photographed by Uoaei1

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