Tubular Bells is the most famous album released by British musician and composer Mike Oldfield. As his debut album, released by Virgin Records on 25th May 1973, it consists of two long pieces of instrumental music played on a variety of instruments, including the tubular bells. The amazing thing about the album was that Oldfield…
Construction of the mighty 800-mile Trans-Alaska Pipeline began after the discovery of the largest oil field in 1968, underneath Prudhoe Bay in the United States. The finding on Alaska’s North Slope prompted the creation of an efficient and safe way to transport the oil into the marketplace. Today, the pipeline has been recognised as a…
Synonymous with power, speed, luxury and wealth, Ferrari is one of the world’s most elite sports car brands. Although the company is valued at around $21 billion, its beginnings were much more humble. Ferrari dates back to 1947, when founder Enzo Ferrari unveiled its first breed of vehicle in Maranello, Italy – the 125 S….
Steel is an important commodity and a viable alternative to traditional iron, thanks to its durability, flexibility and malleability. Prior to the mid-19th century, steel production was complicated and expensive, until a new production method called the Bessemer process was invented. This has transformed steel production into the multi-million-pound global industry it is today. Invented…
The amazing property of malleability in certain metals is put to good use in almost every sector of engineering. Manageable malleable metals can be hammered, rolled or pressed into thin sheets without breaking. It’s similar to the concept of moulding dough, which can be spread out with a rolling pin, elongated using the hands, pushed…
Think of the word “playground” and you will no doubt picture the standard swings, slides and roundabouts that you find in children’s play areas all across the UK. However, there are some playgrounds around the world that make us wish we were kids all over again. Don’t believe us? Have a look at these five…
From iron to aluminium to stainless steel, furniture crafted from various metals is a popular choice for many who love the durability, structure and look that they can bring. Far from being a new invention, metal furniture has been around for centuries. In fact, a 1996 book on the history of metal furniture even described…
Founded in 1919 by Conrad Hilton, Hilton Hotels is a famous international brand. As a 32-year-old American businessman, Hilton believed in the power of international travel to foster world peace. Today, Hilton is among the best-known hotel brands in the world, with more than 540 properties in 78 countries, spanning six continents. Early years It…
A comedy about long-term NHS patients on a hospital ward may not sound like the best premise for fun – but on the contrary. Only When I Laugh has become one of the best-remembered television series of all time. The Yorkshire TV series ran from 1979 to 1982 and featured misbehaving patients Norman Binns, Roy…
Popular television series The Hotel Inspector features presenter Alex Polizzi on a mission to salvage some of the UK’s worst-run hotels and B&Bs. Launched in 2005, the Channel 5 series is still going strong 12 years later, with Polizzi telling the clueless (and often downright irresponsible) proprietors what she thinks of their set-up. When the…