Photo tampering before Photoshop!

Hany Farid, Professor of Computer Science from Dartmouth University, has uncovered some tomfoolery with regard to photo manipulation dating back to the late 1880s. Below are examples of photos that have been tampered with:

Abraham Lincoln – circa 1860

This famous portrait of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln is really a composite of Lincoln’s head and the Southern politician John Calhoun’s body.

General Ulysses S. Grant – circa 1864

Researchers at the Library of Congress revealed that this print is a composite of three separate prints: (1) the head in this photo is taken from a portrait of Grant; (2) the horse and body are those of Major General Alexander M. McCook; and (3) the backgoround is of Confederate prisoners captured at the battle of Fisher’s Hill, VA.

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David Bowie’s first American fan

In 1967, fourteen year old Sandra Adams wrote a fan letter to David Bowie. Bowie enthusiastically replied:

25th., September 1967

Dear Sandra,
When I called in this, my manager‘s office, a few moments ago I was handed my very first American fan letter – and it was from you I was so pleased that I had to sit down and type an immediate reply, even though Ken is shouting at me to get on with a script he badly needs. That can wiat (wi-at? That’s a new English word which means wait)

I’ve been waiting for some reaction to the album from American listeners There were reviews in Billboard and Cash Box, but they
were by professional critics and they rarely reflect the opinions of the public The critics were very flatterlng however. They even liked the single “Love You Till Tuesday” I’ve pot a copy of the American album and they’ve printed the picture a little yellow. I’m really not that blond. I think the picture on the back is more ‘me’. Hope vou like those enclosed

In answer to your questions,my real name is David Jones and I don’t have to tell you why I changed lt. “Nobody’s going to make
a monkey out of you” said my manager. My birthday is January 8th and I guess I’m 5′l0. There is a Fan C1ub here 1n Fngland, but
if things go well in the States then we’ll have one there I suppose. It’s a little early to even think about it

I hope one day to get to America. My manager tells me lots about it as he has been there many times with other acts he manages. I waswatching an old film on TV the other night called “No Down Payment” a great tilm, but rather depressing if it is a true reflection ot The American Way Of Life. However, shortly after that they showed a documentary about Robert Frost the American poet, filmed mainly at his home in Vermont, and that evened the score. I am sure that that is nearer the real America. I made my first movie last week. Just a fifteen minutes short, but if  gave me some good experience for a full length deal I have starting in January.

Thank you for be1ng so klnd as to write to me and do please
write again and let me kno: some more about yourself.

Yours Sincerely

David Bowie

Read more about Sandra’s letter here.

How to link to a specific part of a Youtube video

If you’ve ever seen a friend post a video on Facebook and link to a specific part of a video, youtubetime.com makes it easy. Simply paste your Youtube URL, choose a start location time and presto.

Check out this example: Charlie bit my finger

Noop show in Chicago by Coarse Toys

A spectacular show opened in Chicago at Rotofugi featuring stylish and inventive vinyl by Mark Landwehr. The vinyl has a illustration look + feel to it. The vinyl will be available in the near future. The skateboarder was created for Vans and sold out almost immediately. Check out the interview with Landwehr at Vinyl Pulse. The show opened on Sept. 12th and runs through Oct. 5th, 2008 at Rotofugi.

Rotofugi
1953 W. Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher attacked on stage in Toronto

Last night at the V festival in Toronto, an crazed fan came running across the stage and pushed Gallagher to the ground. (Video from 1:30 onwards) Soon thereafter a man appears at the microphone and announces that they’ll be back in five minutes. No doubt the Gallagher brothers are working over their new best friend in the back!

Pimp out your office with a cool invisible bookshelf

You’ll be the envy of your colleagues with this handy-dandy invisi-bookshelf. The only downside is choosing which large book to destroy. I’m sure if you look hard, you can find one laying around the house. Of course you could always visit a second-hand bookstore for the base book.

Young Ones – Can’t get it out of my head

“Look – Just watch what I do”…I love this song and can’t get it out of my head. The video has a really nice low-fi quality to it. The best part is the Bobby Brady look-a-like with the “Incredible Hulk” shirt on. That pretty much makes the video for me.

A nightingale sings mindtoss

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This is what is sounds like when a nightingale sings the word "mindtoss." Words can also be translated to in R2D2 language. That’s helpful!
Try it for yourself at nightingale-song.com

Would you post your secrets online?

Would you post your secrets online? Even if it you would remain anonymous? These folks did over at postsecret.blogspot.com. It’s interesting that you have to write on a postcard and actually mail it in via snail mail. Now that takes effort!