Author Archives: Sky Captaina - Alex S

Retro-Rocket

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noun

Definition : an auxiliary rocket engine (as on a spacecraft) used in decelerating due to the friction-less void of space where any and all acceleration remains constant along with inertia. Newton’s First Law – An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

Source: www.merriam-webster.com

This has been been used from the start of the space race after a stable rocket design was approved ans there was need to now get it back. Before it was mainly a force on getting a rocket in to high orbit without it failing. Now with maned missions that could go on. Orbit the rules of acceleration change going faster increases altitude while going slower decreases it. this happens naturally due to the pull of gravity from the Earth however that takes an much larger amount of time vs a two minute burn because of the inertia from the force used going into orbit.

I know this word but felt that others may not because retro also means old styles and they may have been thinking of old rockets that people drew in the 60’s.

Updated outline

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Alex Samoylov

Title : The Ephemeral Flame

Specific Purpose : To persuade my audience that the Brooklyn Theater Fire should be on a walking tour and should have a plaque on the Federal Building and Post Office.

Central Idea : Today, I will show you the reasons why the site of the Brooklyn Theater Fire should be on a walking tour and how to the populous more aware of it.

I. The Brooklyn Theater Fire
A. December 5, 1876
B. Over 300 died
1. people started panicking and running
C. Poor exit strategy
1. doors and staircases were too narrow
a. over a thousand panicking people
b. only 2 exits on ground level
2. fire code was updated after event
II. Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
A. 146 dead
1. same mistakes
a.doors locked to stops brecks and theft
b. limited ways down in form of elevators
2. Fire code was updated
B. has a plaque
E. September 11 2001
1. not forgotten
2. Freedom Tower not built over it site of 9/11
3. living memorial, not over the ashes

III. Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” as said by Edmund Burke.
A. Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
a. 146 dead
B.bronze plaque solution on the walls of the Federal Building and Post Office
D. injustice will come to an end

Robert, S. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://brooklynhistory.org/library/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/arms_1977_049_theatre.pdf

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hundreds-die-in-brooklyn-theater-fire

Montrose, M. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2010/06/walkabout-the-b-2/

The brooklyn theater fire . (1885, November 30). The New York Times

Richman, Jeff. ““The Two Orphans,” With A New Home.”Green-Wood . Green-Wood , 17 June 2011. Web. 1 Dec 2013. .

Landmarks Preservation Commission, (2003). Brown building (originally asch building), 23-29 washington place (aka 245 greene street), manhattan. built 1900-01; architect john Woolley

Advice

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When you first take on the location-based paper and before when you have to walk about the grounds near City Tech that is what you should do. Walk around and look for something that you think is interesting and that you would be able to talk about and not mind doing so.
First of all, you should find a place nearby City Tech. There is a lot of interesting sites in Brooklyn that you would be interested in researching, writing and talking abut like the Brooklyn Bridge, Dumbo, Coney Island area Verrazano Bridge and etc. But, most likely, forty percent of the students in your class will take Brooklyn Bridge as their topic and you don`t want to be among them. Coney Island and Verrazano bridge, for example, are interesting but far away from City Tech, so it does not satisfy location criteria.
You should do careful research and find sufficient number of documents and information about your topic, before you choose your location because otherwise you would have difficulties to find enough facts to support your topic and because you will have to work on your topic on and on during the semester and modify it. The papers and their topics will change overtime but should have similarities and you should be able to use what you had before to modify it. So if you do not love or at least not mind writing and talking over the same thing thing over and over again then you have a good spot. However if you are not then you should find something that you can do so with. Also be creative when approaching any of the projects because there maybe a very interesting story if you look at it from the right angle. Also if you believe you have found a better way of doing something or writing about a slightly different focus talk with the professor first and avoid any problems.

My fellow student, I would like to share with you the seeds of wisdom that I achieve through my own experience.
First of all, began to study from the beginning. Even though after lecture you might think that you understand everything your professor have told in class, take the notes in class and read your notes often. Read the assigned pages from text book. Do not look at your fellow student, who come unprepared to the class because “professor is not going to ask them”. Do and submit your assignments on time. Yes, it is a lot of work. But, hey that`s why you went to college, right. You want to be prepared to face professional competitive adult world.
Second of all, whatever you do, do not miss your classes. I understand you want to enjoy your student life with your friends and do fun staff. But if your grade will be “good” because of absences it might turn into “satisfactory”, and if it is “satisfactory”, because of absences it might turn into “unsatisfactory” and you will fail the class and will have to take it again.
The next important issue is, if you feel that you are not doing good, look for help, from the professor, from your fellow students, or from tutoring. You even, might withdraw from the class around the time of midterm, but try not to fail your classless, because it brings your GPA down.
The next important issue is, choose your major right away. Even if you do not know or not sure what you want to do, declare your major and take some classes. Only then you will understand if you like that area of study or not. Do not waste your valuable time on taking classes that you don`t need.

Test of Time Summery

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In Test of Time the difference between primary and secondary sources and what they entitle are compared. The center point of the comparison is what is included of the events within the Brooklyn Theater fire and what is not. The events starts with the fire taking hold just before the last act of the melodrama “The Two Orphans” with 1000 people attending the performance split over 3 tiers of seats. They are not told of the fire and the show goes on as the fire becomes a blaze. However the Blaze becomes an inferno and is now seen by the audience who start to panic and run for their lives. However the theater had no direct way from the top tier to the ground floor to the only exit. This led to people collapsing down the steps and being trampled, blocking the stairwell. While this was happening the upper tier was dying from asphyxiation and the falling debris. The conclusion in both is also the same with over 300 dead and the theater being no more. What is in Kate Claxton interview with the Philadelphia Times 9 years later and what is in the historical archives at the Brooklyn Historical Society is the same event but told in different ways.

Test of Time Final

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Test of Time

Winston Churchill said “History is written by the victors.” However, it is also true that it is written by those who survive. The survivors are the last witness of real event that transpired and they would tell a different history. Yet over time even this would disappear unless told to others, an oral tradition. Such is the case of the Brooklyn Theater fire: however, even with 700 survivors and bystanders the history of the Brooklyn Theater fire has gotten lost in history. Few know of this tragic event, and to this day there is not even a sign at the location. An event that took the lives of 300 in 1876 passes unnoticed today. The Brooklyn Theater Fire is written in various historical archives ranging from the Brooklyn Historical Society to the New York Times interview with Kate Claxton. Kate Claxton is a primary source as her being an eyewitness to within the theater just prior and all the way through the fire. However the interview was conducted 9 years after the incident. On the other hand the historical files found in the Brooklyn Historical Society about the “Guide to The Brooklyn Theater Fire Relief Association Records, 1876-1879” was started following the event. However there is very little detail on the events inside the theater and what is provided is a paragraph on the whole event. This is seen as a secondary source. Therefore is seen as a slightly less reliable but more credible due to the fact that it should have been checked and confirmed by those involved in making it.

The melodrama, “The Two Orphans” was playing on the stage of the Brooklyn theatre on December 5, 1876 with a full house in attendance. Over a thousand people were packed inside with most of them in the upper gallery seats, comprised of families and large groups of people that came to see the show at an affordable price. The show had become quite popular and had been going on for some time, however that night’s performance at the Brooklyn theatre would be different. At 11:15 PM, shortly after the opening of the last act, a fire broke out, apparently caused by scenery touching the gas lights. A common problem with gas lamps inside structures back in the days of wooden frame and floors, especially a stage with props and backdrops. Much like the Titanic after itself the theater staff and performers were slow to respond to and inform the audience of the danger. Then when the fire started raging so did the people started panicking and running for the only two exits. The building had three levels of seats and only one staircase that ran the height of the building. These factors led to people collapsing down the steps and being trampled, adding to the jam that already existed. Many on the upper level died of asphyxiation or when the building finally collapsed on itself in fifteen to twenty minutes. Over 300 died that night, most of them being families and the not so well off. The top tier had no direct way down and a major jam developed on the second tier staircase. This led to trampling and falls, while the upper tier died of asphyxiation and falling debris. This is validated by historical records found at the Brooklyn Historical Society and “This Day in History” on history.com.

Nine years after the fire Kate Claxton recalled and told her story to the Philadelphia Times which later reach the home of the Brooklyn Theater Fire, New York and The Times. She recalled how the stage was set up and her laying down in character on straw for the play. She went on to say that she “was startled by a rumbling noise, which sounded as if the ceiling of the the theatre was falling”. Then the curtain rose and she did not dwell on the noise and remained in character. Then as she said her lines and the play progressed she heard the voice of Lilian Cleaves who said “save yourself for God’s sake: I am running now”. This news made Kate Claxton gaze up and spot the sparks and “little tongues of fire licking the edges of the drops and borders that hung in the flies”. Nevertheless, she played her part and did not show fear, same as Harry Murdoch and Mrs. Farren followed by Mr. J. B. Studley. However, Mrs. Farren whispered to her “the fire is steadily gaining”. At this time the fire could no longer be “concealed from the audience” as the sparks were falling on stage and yet they played on. Panic had taken full swing and only then did “we saw that it was useless to attempt to proceed”. In spite of this Mr. Studley said to the people: “ The play will go on and the fire will be put out. Be quiet Get back to your seats”. Kate Claxton then saw that “it was madness to delay longer as we were now almost surrounded by flames”. She went and took Mr. Murdoch by the arm to run but he pulled away in a daze and went to his dressing room where he and Claude Burroughs parished. At this time all of the exits were engulfed in flames and all seemed lost. However, it was at this time that Kate Claxton remembered of a subterranean passage built by Mrs. Conway to the box office from the star dressing room. This was Kate Claxton’s dressing room and she took her neighbour Maude Harrison with her through the tunnel and to the box office. After breaking through the door in the office they were safely outside.

This two accounts of December 5, 1876 during the Brooklyn Theater fire have the same beginning and end. The fire that would take the lives of 300 began at the start of the last act and yet none of the actors showed any sign of it to the audience. They played their parts as the fire grew and their chance to escape diminished along with that of the audience. Then when the fire was visible all went into panic and many died while attempting to flee. however; the details and view of events vary. First is a very basic overview of the causes and effects of the Brooklyn Theater fire told after it had come to pass by historical archives. Kate Claxton was in the middle of all of these events when they transpired and so it is more personal. There are a great deal of details that give us a clear understanding of her position and feelings at that time, one of them being her guilt over the fact that she went along with what everyone else was doing, covering up the truth from the audience. “The curtain should have been kept down until the flames had been extinguished or if it had been found impossible
 the audience should have been calmly informed that
 some unfortunate occurrence behind the scenery compiled a suspension of the performance
.Raising the curtain created a draft which fanned the flames into fury”. There is no such notion in the historical database, no looking back at the event in another way only what happened in a very neutral tone. All the emotion was taken away along with the exaggeration that showed that this was viewed by people vs a machine. Like a true war story, people need to hear what the person saw or thought that they saw. Such as a man being swallowed whole by sea of panicking patrones as they dashed for their lives down the steps. Man dragging women and child back so they may be saved themselves. A likely compassion would be the events of the Titanic as all hope ran away with grace, and chivalry from the hearts and minds of all.

The Brooklyn Theater Fire is written in various historical archives ranging from the Brooklyn Historical Society to the New York Times. Nevertheless, what is written in one may be found wanting in the other. Kate Claxton first hand account has detail that is not available in the historical documents and yet it told much later, giving time a chance to warp memories. Yet it is still a primary source from which other sources could be built on. In the end both tell a woeful tale of a great loss of life, yet one is filled with life and emotion. Those who live are the real winners and history is theirs. “the pen is mightier than the sword”.

Robert, S. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://brooklynhistory.org/library/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/arms_1977_049_theatre.pdf

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hundreds-die-in-brooklyn-theater-fire

Montrose, M. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2010/06/walkabout-the-b-2/

The brooklyn theater fire . (1885, November 30). The New York Times . Retrieved from http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F50D11FD355A1A738DDDA90B94D9415B8

Richman, R. (2011, June 17th). “the two orphans,” with a new home. Retrieved from http://www.green-wood.com/2011/the-two-orphans-with-a-new-home/

Test of Time

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Test of Time 1

“History is written by the victors.” as said by Winston Churchill however it is also written by those who survive when there are no winners only the ones remaining. Such as the case of the Brooklyn Theater Fire, however even with 700 survivors and everyone nearby the history of the Brooklyn Theater Fire has gotten lost in history. Few known of this tragic event and there is not even a sign at the location to this day. An event that took the lives of 300 in 1879 passes unnoticed today. History may be written by the victor however it is remembered or forgotten by others.

The melodrama, “The Two Orphans” was playing on the stage of the Brooklyn theatre on December 5, 1876 with a full house in attendance. Over a thousand people were packed inside with most of them in the upper gallery seats, comprised of families and large groups of people that came to see the show. At 11:15 PM, shortly after the opening of the last act, a fire broke out, however it’s danger was downplayed by the leading actor Murdock and few to none left their seats. A the flames grew more visible panic ensued and one thousand people rushed to the only two exits in the rear of the Theater. The top tier had no direct way down and major jam developed on the second tier staircase. This led to trampling and falls, while the upper tier died of asphyxiation and falling debris.

Years after the fire Kate Claxton recalled and told her story to the Philadelphia Times which later reach the home of the Brooklyn Theater Fire, New York and The Times.

Test of Time 2

Winston Churchill said “History is written by the victors.” however it is also true that it is written by those who survive and remembered by them . Such is the case of the Brooklyn Theater Fire: however, even with 700 survivors and bystanders the history of the Brooklyn Theater Fire has gotten lost in history. Few know of this tragic event, and to this day there is not even a sign at the location. An event that took the lives of 300 in 1876 passes unnoticed today.
The melodrama, “The Two Orphans” was playing on the stage of the Brooklyn theatre on December 5, 1876 with a full house in attendance. Over a thousand people were packed inside with most of them in the upper gallery seats, comprised of families and large groups of people that came to see the show. At 11:15 PM, shortly after the opening of the last act, a fire broke out, however its danger was downplayed by the leading actor Murdock, and few to none left their seats. A the flames grew more visible panic ensued and one thousand people rushed to the only two exits in the rear of the Theater. The top tier had no direct way down and a major jam developed on the second tier staircase. This led to trampling and falls, while the upper tier died of asphyxiation and falling debris. This is the official story that is validated by historical records found at the Brooklyn Historical Society and “This Day in History” on history.com.

9 Years after the fire Kate Claxton recalled and told her story to the Philadelphia Times which later reach the home of the Brooklyn Theater Fire, New York and The Times. She recalled how the stage was set up and her laying down in character on straw for the play. She went on to say that she “was startled by a rumbling noise, which sounded as if the ceiling of the the theatre was falling”. Then the curtain rose and she did not dwell on the noise and remained in character. Then as she said her lines and the play progressed she heard the voice of Lilian Cleaves who said “Save yourself for God’s sake: I am running now”. This news made Kate Claxton gaze up and spot the sparks and “little tongues of fire licking the edges of the drops and borders that hung in the flies”. Nevertheless she played her part and did not show fear, same as Harry Murdoch and Mrs. Farren followed by Mr. J. B. Studley. However ; Mrs. Farren whispered to her “The fire is steadily gaining”. At this time the fire could no longer be “concealed from the audience” as the sparks were falling on stage and yet they played on. Panic had taken full swing and only then did ‘we saw that it was useless to attempt to proceed”. In spite of this Mr. Studley said to the people “ The play will go on and the fire will be put out. be quiet, Get back to your seats.”. Kate Claxton then saw that “It was madness to delay longer as we were now almost surrounded by flames”. She went and took Mr. Murdoch by the arm to run but he pulled away in a daze and went to his dressing room where he and Claude Burroughs parished. At this time all of the exits were engulfed in flames and all seemed lost. However: it was at this time that Kate Claxton remembered of a subterranean passage built by Mrs. Conway to the box office from the star dressing room. This was Kate Claxton’s dressing room and she took her neubourg Maude Harrison with her through the tunnel and to the box office. After breaking through the door in the office they were safely outside.

This two accounts of December 5, 1876 during the Brooklyn Theater Fire have the same beginning and end, however; the details and view of events vire. First is a very basic overview of the causes and effects of the Brooklyn Theater Fire told after it had come to pass by historical archives. Kate Claxton was in the middle of all of these events when they transpired and so it is more personal. There are a great deal of details that give us a clear understanding of her position and feelings at that time. On of them being her guilt over the fact that she went along with what everyone else was doing, covering up the truth from the audience. “The curtain should have been kept down until the flames had been extinguished or if it had been found impossible
 the audience should have been calmly informed that
 some unfortunate occurrence behind the scenery compiled a suspension of the performance
.Raising the curtain created a draft which fanned the flames into fury.” There is no such notion in the historical database, no looking back at the event in an other way and no only what happened. Only what happened and remained after being revised at least 3 times and going through countless censers.

The Brooklyn Theater Fire is written in various historical archives ranging from the Brooklyn Historical Society to the New York Times. Nevertheless what is written in one may be found wanting in the other. Kate Claxton first hand account throws into question the legitimes of the Brooklyn Historical Society and “This Day in History”.

Robert, S. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://brooklynhistory.org/library/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/arms_1977_049_theatre.pdf

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hundreds-die-in-brooklyn-theater-fire

Montrose, M. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2010/06/walkabout-the-b-2/

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F50D11FD355A1A738DDDA90B94D9415B8584F0D3

http://www.green-wood.com/2011/the-two-orphans-with-a-new-home/

Robert, S. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://brooklynhistory.org/library/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/arms_1977_049_theatre.pdf

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hundreds-die-in-brooklyn-theater-fire

Montrose, M. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2010/06/walkabout-the-b-2/

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F50D11FD355A1A738DDDA90B94D9415B8584F0D3

antithesis

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noun

antithesis – the exact opposite of something or someone
– the state of two things that are directly opposite to each other

-the rhetorical contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangements of words, clauses, or sentences

-the second of two opposing words, clauses, or sentences that are being rhetorically contrasted

Learned about this in Speech today and thought i would interesting to look up this particular word because of the many times it has been used in history.
One example being “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy

Swarthy

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adjective

Swarthy – of a dark color, complexion, or cast
alteration of obsolete swarty, from swart
First Known Use: 1587

Synonyms
black, brunet (or brunette), swart, dark

This was used by Professor Davis in class today during the lesson and discussion.
I was familiar with this word and in the context used was also not sure of it’s meaning.

Reading Lucille Kolkin in the archives

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From the start of the essay we believe that Lucy is a co-worker or co-researcher in the time about the essay is written. However, as we progress further we see more and more to disprove this.
Now this was mostly due to the fact that I did not see when the essay was written, somehow i avoided the entire left side of the first page. So for the first few pages I was under the impression that they both lived at the same time. However, that was the point of the essay, to show an overlap of the past and present. There are many differences in the modern world than in 1944 but there are also similarity. Both had families and careers that they pursued. The resided in similar areas and the streets were the same. Both were very outgoing and outspoken. However, the greatest difference was time. The history that the writer learned is not the kind that you will find in a text book. But a select kind that can only be seen from the eyes of those that were there, in their personal memoirs and letters to people that they share a bond with. The writer seemed to be in a trance whenever reading Lucy`s letters, the writer would be transported back to those early years of 1944. But the magic of the letters faded away when the writer looked up Lucy and realized her life would come to an end. It dispelled the entirety of the letters that were filled with life, joy and laughter. The lesson is clear, do not skip to the end of any good story.

However, 1944 was a time of change in many ways. Technology literally skyrocketed in the form of German V1 and V2 rockets that formed the base of all modern rocket-propelled vessels such as space fairing. Production had reached new heights as entire nations focused all efforts to out gun and outnumber the clear enemy. The USA benefited most from war production due to its non- combat years prior to December 7th, 1944 as seen when the Great Depression ended with the USA officially entering the war. With all the male population going off to fight the war, the home effort was left to the female population. Every working field that was once only for men was now worked by women, and what they did was either as good or better. They were making ships so that their men would not sink and drowned in the oceans. They made planes that would carry them over Berlin and Tokyo. They made tanks that would go through the deserts in Africa. They made rifles that would shoot straight and true. They made parachutes that would carry men down safely as thought they were on white clouds. They made everything that won the war, in number that even to this day we do not match. Not because we can not, but because we have no reason to. In a way it is sad that to reach our full potential we must be in conflict with others. And even then it has to be an enemy that every men, women and child must hate and or fear to have the entire nation behind the war effort. Lucy and her letters are a window into this time of great change and great unrest. It shows us an individual’s account of events of the same history we learn but on a personal level. There are no references to battles or warriors, but see what life was for one person. That is something people overlook in history, the people. When you see how many were at this place or how many were lost, it is only a number. We forget that each one is a unique individual, with their own story, life, values, and vision of the world. That is why is it important to document history with not only written reports, but photographs, letters, newspapers, and anything else to always remember the people who were there. To see their lives unfold and learn from them so we do not follow the mistakes they made and follow what they did right. Another thing that is overlooked, when looking at history we tend to look at the mistakes that people make and forget all the right decision that were made prior and after. We tend to condemn certain individuals for their actions as we are looking at them from our views and rules. At that time when it was done it could have been a whole other story.

To see where you are now and where you are heading forward you need to see where you were before.

“Reading Lucy” by Jennifer Egan

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“Reading Lucy” by Jennifer Egan

how does the essay represent Egan’s story of how she learned about history?

From the start of the essay we believe that Lucy is a co-worker or co-researcher in the time about the essay is written. However, as we progress further we see more and more to disprove this.
Now this was mostly due to the fact that I did not see when the essay was written, somehow i avoided the entire left side of the first page. So for the first few pages I was under the impression that they both lived at the same time. However, that was the point of the essay, to show an overlap of the past and present. There are many differences in the modern world than in 1944 but there are also similarity. Both had families and careers that they pursued. The resided in similar areas and the streets were the same. Both were very outgoing and outspoken. However, the greatest difference was time. The history that the writer learned is not the kind that you will find in a text book. But a select kind that can only be seen from the eyes of those that were there, in their personal memoirs and letters to people that they share a bond with. The writer seemed to be in a trance whenever reading Lucy`s letters, the writer would be transported back to those early years of 1944. But the magic of the letters faded away when the writer looked up Lucy and realized her life would come to an end. It dispelled the entirety of the letters that were filled with life, joy and laughter. The lesson is clear, do not skip to the end of any good story.