Some old photos

[skip.knox]

I recently scanned some pictures from some very old National Geographic magazines. Inherited a whole pile of them years ago. Some fewer years ago I unloaded them all, but removed about thirty pictures that really struck me. I've been tidying them up and thought I'd share a few here.

This one is of a lumber raft on a river in Czechoslovakia (no idea if it's in modern Czech Republic or in Slovakia). The first thing that strikes me is that this river is downright scary. Second thing is, notice the banks. No flood control for us, thanks! And then notice that the oars are in *front* of the raft. And look at the shape! Those three guys will have to work in close harmony for who knows how long. It's probably not a long trip, as there's no shelter or stove on the raft, and it'd be chancy to try to beach the thing for an overnight stay. I can see the cross beam forward, but I can't see what else lashes those logs together. The whole proposition looks pretty dangerous to me.

 

[CupofJoe]

That is a great picture. I'm not sure which way they are going. The strakes on the bank [above them in the photo] look like they are pointing down stream but the ripples looklike they are going downstream...
If not, I'm guessing the oars [or rudders?] are at that end as that is the only bound end. If they were going the other way, it would steer more easily but the raft would fan open.
I like the site Shorpy. It published American photographs from the 1970s to the first photography in the middle of the 19C. some of the industrial images are a little bit terrifying Cane Sugar, while others are just beautiful Ready Player One: 1940.

 

[William Russell]

Literally some early white water rafting adventure. Cool photo.

 

[skip.knox]

The oars are forward, heading downstream. It's the first time I've seen oars--rudders, really--used that way. Also the first I've seen where they're split at the end or that they're used three across. All in all, a curiosity.

 

[skip.knox]

Here's another one. Description is below


It's a news reader. He bangs the drum to let people know to come outside (see the people in the doorway) and then he reads out the news. Would make for a nice touch of color in a story, I should think.

 

[William Russell]

Sort of a take on the Town Crier role. Back in those days paper was more expensive than hiring someone to read it out, is my guess.

 

[The StoryWeaver]

Here's another one. Description is below
View attachment 2220

It's a news reader. He bangs the drum to let people know to come outside (see the people in the doorway) and then he reads out the news. Would make for a nice touch of color in a story, I should think.

Ooooh I love this. I could use this for sure.