Hagia Sophia

February 2, 2016 by stevenhuber 3 Comments

Byzantine Architecture

The Hagia Sophia is renown for being one of the first masterpieces of Byzantine architecture. This style of architecture developed in the Byzantine Empire during the fifth century A.D. and is characterized by large, domed roofs that sit on top of square bases. Originally built as a way of remembering Roman architecture, the Byzantine architectural style went on to influence Medieval architecture throughout Europe and the Near East, as well as the Renaissance and Ottoman architectural styles that followed the Byzantine Empire’s collapse. It eventually gave way to Carolingian, Romanesque, and Gothic architecture in the West, while exerting a profound influence on early Islamic architecture in the East. The majority of structures that follow this style were built for religious purposes. Besides the large, domed roofs, Byzantine architecture is characterized by geometric complexity, large, round arches, and intricate glass mosaics decorating buildings’ interiors. In addition to stone, brick and plaster were used for the decoration of important public structures, while thin sheets of alabaster were placed over windows to softly illuminate the interior of a building. In order to place the large domes on top of square buildings, a constructive device known as a pendentive was used. Pendentives are shaped like triangular sections of a sphere and work by distributing the weight of the dome into four corners where the force can be received by piers. Overall, the Byzantine Empire was able to build off of previous architectural styles and incorporate new, innovative techniques of their own to develop a beautiful architectural style that is still admired to this day.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia#Upper_Gallery

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_architecture

http://www.buffaloah.com/a/archsty/byz/

First Thanksgiving

January 28, 2016 by stevenhuber Leave a Comment

While I vaguely remember the details the I learned about Thanksgiving as a child (it was somewhere between second and fourth grade), I do remember that I was taught that it was a positive experience between the Pilgrims and Native Americans. We were told that, upon arriving in Plymouth, the Pilgrims were ravished with disease and a lack of food until they were taught by the Native Americans how to hunt and grow crops. We were also taught about the treacherous journey that they were faced with when sailing from England to America. I remember celebrating the holiday with arts and crafts, such as covering our hands in finger paint and using the handprint to make colorful turkeys.

Prownian Analysis

January 23, 2016 by stevenhuber 3 Comments

Step 1, Description: The object is about 7 to 8 inches in length and roughly half an inch in width. It is primarily light blue in color and made from a hard, plastic-like material. It has a white, rubber-like material that covers the entirety of the back spine of the object and partially wraps around the front. The white material is covered in raised ridges, while the blue material is smooth and hard. The end of the object consists of a variety of dark blue, light blue, white, and green bristles. Each color of bristle varies in length, but all are stiff to the touch. There are 8 white, bendable objects that surround the bristles and appear to be made from the same rubber-like material that covers the object. The bristles are damp and are slightly frayed on the ends. They also have a fresh, minty smell to them. Overall, the object is contoured and fits nicely in my hand.

Step 2, Induction: Based on how well the non-bristled side of the object fits in my hand, I would assume that it is intended to be some sort of handle. The ridged, white material makes for a comfortable grip and prevents the object from slipping out of my hand. The frayed ends of the bristles indicate that the object has been used for some sort of scrubbing, or brushing perhaps. Due to the minty, clean smell of the bristles, one can infer that there had been a type of cleaning substance applied to them. The dampness indicates that the cleaning substance had then been rinsed off with water.

Step 3, Speculation: I would guess that this object is a tool used for cleaning. The stiff bristles would be very effective at removing dirt or debris from soiled surfaces, while the sleek, thin design would make it possible to get the tool into tight spaces. Since the object was found in a bathroom and kept in a container that prevents the bristles from touching surrounding objects, I can speculate that it is used for some sort of personal hygiene. It appears to be a relatively safe and easy tool for people of any age or gender to use.

Questions:

How many different uses are there for this object?

How long does this object last and how often must it be replaced?

Is this object a necessity, or a luxury?

Bibliography

Fee, Elizabeth, and Theodore M. Brown. “Popularizing the Toothbrush.” American Journal Of Public Health 94, no. 5 (May 2004): 721. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed January 23, 2016).

This peer-reviewed article discusses the history of the toothbrush in 19th century Europe and America. The article explains the growing problem of tooth decay in school children during this time due to the increasing availability of refined flour and sugar, as well as industrially processed foods. Due to this problem, the majority of American cities had free or reduced-fee health clinics that provided oral health services by the 1920s.

“Learn More About Toothbrushes.” Learn More About Toothbrushes. Accessed January 23, 2016. http://www.ada.org/en/science-research/ada-seal-of-acceptance/product-category-information/toothbrushes.

This article, found on the American Dental Association website, briefly describes the history of the toothbrush and then details the reasons for its use and tips on proper oral hygiene. The article also discusses the importance of flossing and compares different types of toothbrushes (i.e. manual vs. automatic). The author clearly believes that tooth brushing is an important daily activity.