Ella Morton's User Profile - Atlas Obscura

Ella Morton

Ella was Atlas Obscura's Senior Editor and co-wrote the Atlas Obscura book. Now she's doing other stuff but remains a proud AO alumna.

http://twitter.com/ellamorton

2011
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military history

The Combat Ration Collectors Who Eat Decades-Old Military Meals

Beef stew from 1983, anyone?

Here Are the Medals Given to Eugenically Healthy Humans in the 1920s

People were judged alongside livestock at state fairs.

A 19th-Century Map of Our 'Square and Stationary' Earth

How could the world be spinning? Wouldn't we fall off?

Watch a Japanese Man Play 'Amazing Grace' on a Cabbage

Junji Koyama makes musical instruments out of vegetables.

Watch a Calligrapher Turn Shopping Lists Into Art

Groceries are now more grand.

Why Modern Meteorologists Use a 19th-Century Crystal Ball

The answer is as simple as sunshine.

obscura day 2016

Inside the Spark-Filled Home of a Vintage Electric Machine Collector

You get the lights, I'll flip the switch for the Victorian teleport.

The Photos that Exposed American Child Labor

From 1908 to 1924, Lewis Hine collected visual evidence of the nation's youngest workers.

obscura day 2016

The Only LGBT Cemetery Section in the World Was Inspired by J. Edgar Hoover

A section of D.C.'s Congressional Cemetery has become a gathering place for honoring LGBT activists.

Look At These Snarky Yearbooks From 100 Years Ago

The in-jokes from the class of 1916 don't all hold up.

The Forgotten Secret Language of Gay Men

After a heyday in the '50s and '60s, Polari all but vanished.

The Surprising Resurgence of Side Saddle

Perhaps thanks to costume dramas, the modesty-minded side saddle has come back into style.

When American Voters Had 2 Choices: Whig or Loco Foco

This fascinating electoral map from 1840 documents a chaotic time in American politics.

The Modern Manhunt Began With An Arrest by Wireless Telegraph

Morse code messages and bowler hat cameras were the Twitter and cellphones of the Edwardian police chase.

Object of Intrigue: Confederate Currency

In 1861, imagery on American banknotes included railroads, Greek goddesses, and slavery.

During WWII, the Only Men Getting Plastered for Oscar Night Were the Statuettes

February 26, 2016

Object of Intrigue: The Juvenile Oscars

February 23, 2016

Object of Intrigue: North Korea's Black-Market Lapel Pins

February 16, 2016

The Friday Night Rites of New York's Church Bell Ringers

February 11, 2016

The Minister Who Updated His Status in a Diary, Every 5 Minutes for 25 Years

February 5, 2016

How 'Used Clothing' Became 'Vintage Fashion'

February 2, 2016

Unlike Iran's President, Queen Victoria Really Requested that Naked Statues Be Covered

January 28, 2016

Video Wonder: Australia's Accidental Heroes

January 27, 2016

Object of Intrigue: Soviet Space Dog Jug

January 26, 2016