Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 15, No. 228.
Centre for Computing in the Humanities, King's College London
<http://www.princeton.edu/~mccarty/humanist/>
<http://www.kcl.ac.uk/humanities/cch/humanist/>
[1] From: Alan D Corre <corre@csd.uwm.edu> (7)
Subject: Re: 15.223 reading in bed
[2] From: jod@ccat.sas.upenn.edu (James J. O'Donnell) (16)
Subject: bedside reading (more) and Hitler sound systems
--[1]------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 07 Sep 2001 06:50:01 +0100
From: Alan D Corre <corre@csd.uwm.edu>
Subject: Re: 15.223 reading in bed
Winston Churchill is reported to have done most of his reading and other
work in bed, while puffing a cigar and sipping his daily bowl of
fresh cream. So much for avoiding smoking and cholesterol.
Alan D. Corre
Emeritus Professor of Hebrew Studies
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
http://www.uwm.edu/~corre/
--[2]------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 07 Sep 2001 06:51:11 +0100
From: jod@ccat.sas.upenn.edu (James J. O'Donnell)
Subject: bedside reading (more) and Hitler sound systems
With thanks for the observation on Descartes (which I think is true) and
Willard's pendant: the *possibility* of bedside reading goes way back, of
course, but candles and oil lamps offer imperfect illumination for the
supine reader, so I remain curious: when does the possibility or
expectation that books will be taken to bed become common? Were Pope or
Pepys doing it?
A similar historical question: an article in today's London Times about
Gitta Sereny's work on Nazidom quotes her (she saw Hitler perform when a
child) on the extraordinary sound system that accompanied Hitler rallies
-- "what must have been the most sophisticated sound system there was,
even now it seems extremely well done." Is there any record of or
research into the actual technology used? Was there a technological
advantage that gave those howling Nazi voices power beyond what people
could see or hear otherwise?
Jim O'Donnell
Classics, U. of Penn
jod@ccat.sas.upenn.edu
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