| I intend to meticulously track all the various sources, no matter how slight, that have led to content or ideas that shape this book. Often, the stories behind how I found this material is as interesting as the contributed content. The entries below relate these tales... |
January 08, 2010
"The English drink Seltzer water like fish"
Another fun find in Google Books, from some magazine called The New Monthly Magazine, in 1837.
This is about some street urchins trying to have one over on the man selling seltzer. "The English drink Seltzer water like fish in the dog-days." :-)
Posted by Barry Joseph, The Effervescent Jew (bjoseph) at 12:22 AM | Comments (0)
January 07, 2010
German Spas of 1804 and Medicinal Purposes
I am currently having a blast on Google Books, which is Google's efforts to digitize and make available the word's books. It's pretty remarkable.
I can download as PDF or to text search online for this important study from 1804: A treatise on the internal use of the natural and factitious waters of Carlsbad, Marienbad, Ems, &c. &c
Author Friedrich Ludwig Kreysig
I am specifically interested in this work as it documents the medicinal uses of spas. That is, to what extend doctors, the write included, used spas as a form of medicinal treatment, and for what exactly.
One of the amazing things about Google Books is that it will create a word cloud for you of the entire book, using only the most common phrases, making those most used larger. I was fascinated by the book's cloud below given all the numerous health conditions referenced. How many can you find?
Or click here to see a larger version.
Posted by Barry Joseph, The Effervescent Jew (bjoseph) at 11:58 PM | Comments (0)
February 24, 2009
On Steven Johnson's new Biography on Priestley
I just finished Steven Johnson's The Invention of Air and strongly recommend it. Johnson writes popular books about scientific concepts and his work has deeply shaped my thinking.
When I learned he had turned his gaze to the inventor of seltzer, I was equally concerned and excited. Concerned that I had missed my chance, as who could compete with Johnson, and excited, to read his perspective on the man without whom my project would not exist.
First to the concern part. I needn't have worried. The invention of soda water is covered, but sparsely, over a few pages. The aspect of Priestley’s live still remains to be written.
But, boy, was I right to get excited. How often is a scientific biography so thrilling. Similar to Malcolm Gladwell's recent Outliers, Johnson tells Priestley's tale from an ecological perspective, situating the man, his work and ideas within the social networks, ideological currents, and economic, religious, and political shifts of the time.
He makes the argument that in face Priestley was falsely credited with the "invention" of air - it was an idea that stuck and then had great immediate impact - but, rather, his greater importance was through his work that wouldn't have impact for centuries and impacts out lives today.
This is where Johnson and I part ways. He says that importance was the introduction of ecological thinking, from a systems-perspective.
I say it was the invention of seltzer.
In either way, Johnson unearthed some great quotes.
From Ben Franklin to his friend Priestley, written in 1785:
"I know of no philosopher who starts so much good Game for the Hunter after Knowledge as you do. Go on and prosper."
Even better is this quote from the conservative Edmund Burke, in his influential Reflections on the Revolution in France, using Priestley's own recent invention to critique the man's support of the recent changes in Paris:
"The wild gas, the fixed air, is plainly loose: but we ought to suspend our judgment until the first effervescence is a little subsided, till the liquor is cleared, and until we see something deeper than the agitation of a troubled and frothy surface."
You gotta love it - fizzy seltzer as a metaphor fixing the state of affairs caused by the French Revolution. Clearly the start of a now longstanding tradition of iconic seltzer being a stand-in to meet our every metaphorical need.
Posted by Barry Joseph, The Effervescent Jew (bjoseph) at 10:58 AM | Comments (0)
September 30, 2005
Seltzercast 10: Agua Con Gas, Tony Kushner, and Water from Outer Space
Oh, there is MUCH to catch up on: An Apology, Spain, Up From Seltzer, a Slakethirst.com review, Extraterrestrial water, finewaters.com, Joseph Priestly, a History of the World in Six Glasses, and Tony Kushner. Phew!Continue reading "Seltzercast 10: Agua Con Gas, Tony Kushner, and Water from Outer Space"
Posted by Barry Joseph, The Effervescent Jew (bjoseph) at 12:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Up From Seltzer Cartoon Book
Frank in Queens mailed me this wonderful piece of Jewish cultural history from 1981 - the cartoon book Up From Seltzer: A Handy Guide to 4 Jewish Generations.
Continue reading "Up From Seltzer Cartoon Book"
Posted by Barry Joseph, The Effervescent Jew (bjoseph) at 12:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 13, 2005
Material About Israeli Seltzer Bombs
It has been a real hoot researching and learning about the possible use of seltzer as a form of aerial weaponry during the Israeli War of Independance.
Continue reading "Material About Israeli Seltzer Bombs"
Posted by Barry Joseph, The Effervescent Jew (bjoseph) at 02:43 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Seltzercast 02: Cast a Giant Seltzer
Learn what Frank Sinatra, Israel and Seltzer all have in common in this special, second Give Me Seltzer podcast. The film, Cast a Giant Shadow, and its seminal role in the history of seltzer will be our focus. Oh, and hear John Wayne speak Hebrew. Tons of fun!Continue reading "Seltzercast 02: Cast a Giant Seltzer"
Posted by Barry Joseph, The Effervescent Jew (bjoseph) at 02:38 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
