[recovering-academic]

[kayrahsfic]

I bought a couple tin type photos from an antique store. I’m pretty sure they are deceased victorians, as both seem to be propped up.

Oh, yeah, even at the thumbnail size I can tell they’re both very much deceased. The archivist in me: Post Mortem photography now seems morbid and weird (other than people who now take selfies with the deceased at funerals), but was actually a vital part of the Victorian mourning practices at a time when death rates were extremely high and photography was the new way to immortalize yourself or your loved ones by preserving their image “forever”…

Digital archives related to Post Mortem Photography:

http://users.telenet.be/thomasweynants/post-mortem.html

http://www.burnsarchive.com/Explore/Historical/Memorial/index.html

http://thanatos.net/

[did-you-know]

On her childhood:

“I counted everything. I counted the steps to the road, the steps up to church, the number of dishes and silverware I washed … anything that could be counted, I did.”

On her NASA calculations:

“Early on, when they said they wanted the capsule to come down at a certain place, they were trying to compute when it should start. I said, ‘Let me do it. You tell me when you want it and where you want it to land, and I’ll do it backwards and tell you when to take off.’ That was my forte.”

Katherine really stood out in her field because she was the only woman who asked questions.

“The women did what they were told to do,” she explained. “They didn’t ask questions or take the task any further. I asked questions; I wanted to know why.“

In 2011, when asked if she still counts things:

 “Oh, yes. And things have to be parallel. I see a picture right now that’s not parallel, so I’m going to go straighten it. Things must be in order.”

Source

[birdandmoon]

Bogs are beautiful.

Original on my site | Patreon

[thebrainscoop]

If you like these totally rad insights into behind-the-scenes work at the Field, you should really be following Karen’s FM Photo Archives tumblr! 

This month’s infographs were created by Katie Kirby to celebrate our ongoing campaign to restore a quartet of Carl Akeley’s taxidermied specimens, and build a brand-new mammal diorama here at the museum. We’re 37% of the way; learn more about Project Hyena Diorama at Indiegogo!

[katie-aerene]

:D

[thebrainscoop]

Did you know female spotted hyenas have pseudopenises through which they give birth?

~The more you know!~

The distribution of the striped hyena has greatly diminished over the last century. To learn more about how we’re trying to spread some educational power about these often misunderstood animals, check out our campaign!

[Infograph by our own Katie Kirby!]

[thebrainscoop]

Today we said farewell to Intern Katie as she takes off on a new life adventure. She will always hold a very special place in my heart as the first intern I ever advised. I believe in the importance of mentorship, passing along one’s knowledge and embracing the unique perspective of others. There is so much to learn. We love you Katie! (at The Field Museum)

[katie-aerene]

My year and a half at Brain Scoop and The Field Museum was probably the most important and useful of my life so far. Had Emily not scooped me up, I wouldn't have had any direction for the end of my college career. I went from unpaid intern to part-time temp (hey, it's something!). I've learned so much more than I did in any classroom. I observed how world-class museums operate and have a better idea what to expect from a future career. I've made unforgettable memories and so many good friends that will be with me for life.

While I hope to diversify my experience with a new museum, it doesn't make leaving this one any easier. The Field will always be my home, and The Brain Scoop my slightly-off-her-rocker-but-worldly-and-impulsive aunt who took me under her wing to show me just how marvelous life really is.

I can't say it enough, but thanks for absolutely everything, Emily.

[thebrainscoop]

Did you know female spotted hyenas have pseudopenises through which they give birth?

~The more you know!~

The distribution of the striped hyena has greatly diminished over the last century. To learn more about how we’re trying to spread some educational power about these often misunderstood animals, check out our campaign!

[Infograph by our own Katie Kirby!]

[katie-aerene]

I did a thing! :D

[imaginationshow]

The Brain Scoop have an Indiegogo campaign to build a Hyena Diorama at the Field Museum!

This is biology, zoology, art, history, museumy & Brain Scoopy good stuff all rolled into one (that’s like all good things at once!). To me personally conservation and awareness of those species considered ugly or strange is a thing. The short of it: I’m backing this.

Please pass this on to let people learn that this is happening! (…or just because the hyena is so darn cute!)

[katie-aerene]

HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THAT FACE

[katie-aerene]

#projecthyenadiorama #helpthehyenas (at The Field Museum)

[westerndigs]

How do you make an archaeologist really mad, really fast? Ask her if she’s found any dinosaurs.

Here’s a little something I wrote for SciShow in the hopes of clarifying the many differences between archaeology and paleontology, and how they’re each awesome in their own ways. Enjoy!

[thebrainscoop]

So so so so cute. This is why I think dioramas are important.

The campaign is off to a great start with more than $23,000 already! Check it outtttttttttt http://bit.ly/1aBo2LO

[thebrainscoop]

The Brain Scoop: PROJECT HYENA DIORAMA — INDIEGOGO CAMPAIGN!

1.5 years ago, around the time I first started working at The Field Museum, I was talking to our director of exhibitions about Brain Scoop episode ideas and he mentioned the unusual fact that there was an empty diorama space in the Hall of Asian Mammals that had sat unfinished for about 87 years. We kicked around the idea of crowd sourcing the money to complete the space, as a way to engage this audience of Brain Scoop fans from all over the globe and finish something that was started almost a century ago. 

Well, I’m thrilled (and terrified, and nervous, and elated) to let you know that today is the day. 

TODAY IS THE DAY. 

We are officially live with our first ever Indiegogo campaign: PROJECT HYENA DIORAMA. 

This won’t happen without your help. We don’t magically have the money tucked away anywhere to finish this - it’s on us. Me, and you, and natural history museum fans everywhere. Please share this, #HelpTheHyenas, or consider donating. 

Cheers, everybody! 

[katie-aerene]

You guys, Emily and the whole Field Museum team have put SO MUCH HARD WORK into this project. Huge round of applause for them, and I can’t wait to see the fruits of their labor unfold! Let’s #helpthehyenas and get this diorama renovation funded! :D

[katie-aerene]

I've had this stone nodule for as long as I can remember. I think my dad once tried to saw or break it open, to no avail. Brought it into work today because hey, I work at a natural history museum and I need cool desk decorations. A few hours later I'm in the geology wing, grinding this guy open with their industrial rock saws. Love. My. Job. Quartz banded agate nodule. Locality unknown, probably a few million years old. (at The Field Museum)

[katie-aerene]

Hanging out at @romtoronto was a blast today! Huge thanks to @kironcmukherjee for taking time to show off some of their most fascinating stories. I'll definitely be back for more! Futalognkosaurus head & neck as viewed from below. Largest dinosaur displayed in Canada. (at Royal Ontario Museum)

[katie-aerene]

Latergram of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec City.

[katie-aerene]

Eeyou (Cree) sealskin game bag and Anishinabeg (Algonquin) birch bark moose call. 1960s & 70s. (at Musée de la civilisation)

[katie-aerene]

Mysterious markings. (at Parc De La Jacques Cartier)