"His Master's Voice" (What you don't see is that Nipper is sitting on the coffin of his dead owner) In company logos and advertisements, animals are a fairly common sight. So common, in fact, that you probably haven't given these mascots a great deal of thought. But those whose job involves selecting an animal representative for an organization or company face no small task. With their choice, they will be aligning themselves with whatever qualities people tend to associate with that animal. Once they’ve found their totem, they may forever be associated with it. A prime example of logo longevity is "His Master’s Voice," a design trademarked by the Victor Record Company on this day in 1900, sealing forever in our minds the image of Nipper the dog listening attentively to a Victrola, and connecting it further with the Gramophone Company (later known as HMV). In the ensuing century, plenty of other corporate critters have made their marks on our cultural consciousness. How many times have you heard Leo, the MGM lion roar? Financial institutions have adopted symbols of strength, including an elk and a lion, though Merrill Lynch was wise to select a bull rather than a bear. Animals in advertising have also provided memorable and humorous moments. Cuteness gives many animal representatives their appeal. The Geico gecko is pretty adorable, as is Snuggle, the Fabric Softener Bear. Some creatures are simply effective because they are cartoons, and appeal to kids, such as the Trix Rabbit and Sugar Bear. Turns out there’s a science behind the success of animals (or "visual identifiers," as the marketing analysts call them). While some wine critics may claim they avoid "labels bearing cute animals," the rest of us are drawn to these images almost against our will, according to researchers. Did you pick up that bottle of Syrah because it had a kangaroo, chameleon, or a cute dog or kitty on it? It’s not your fault -– you're a victim of your own "perceptual fluency." In light of the incredible sway these animals have over us, some mascots may not have been the best selections. Joe Camel, for example, the longtime rep for Camel cigarettes, was no longer depicted in cartoon form due to objections that he appealed to children too effectively, and Budweiser’s Spuds MacKenzie faded into obscurity before anyone noticed that a dog in a Hawaiian shirt was probably not the most appropriate spokes-animal for beer. After all, wouldn’t you rather share a tall one with a creepy penguin? Suggested Sites... TV Acres - Advertising Mascots - take a four-legged walk down memory lane. "Of Frog Wines and Frowning Watches" - academic study on why we select animal-endorsed brands and respond to other visual cues. Live-Animal Mascots Get an "F" - PETA argues that actual animals should not be used as mascots. "Dinner With the Mascots" video on YouTube - amusing reunion of several iconic mascots.

Directory categories: Advertising, Commercials, Pop Culture, Graphic Design, Phonographs

Archived under: 19th Century, Advertising, Animals, Anniversaries, Bears, Birds, Brands, Cartoons, Design, Dogs, History, Images, Mascots, Music, Music History, Nostalgia, Records, Society and Culture, TV, Wine

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The original poster for Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. Traveler beware! Anyone who's been to Disneyland or Walt Disney World over the past 45 years has probably suffered through the Enchanted Tiki Room, "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln," or (worst of all) "It’s a Small World." All of these "attractions” feature Disney’s patented and trademarked "Audio-Animatronic" technology. These animatronics work through an ingenious combination of air pressure, water pressure, electronics, and computers that tell these plastic- and fabric-covered robotic puppets to move through a series of pre-programmed movements with all the realism and agility of an arthritic turtle. While some may find these doppelgangers grotesque, it is reported that many more are delighted by them and their antics. So, in that light, we note that, on June 23, 1963, the Tiki Room opened for business in Disneyland's Adventureland. The gimmick is simple: unwitting suckers -- er, "guests" -- desperate for anyplace to sit after hours of waiting in line in ungodly heat, wander dazedly into the Tiki Room after hearing the ballyhoo from José Carioca, the ever-chattering pitch-parrot who looms outside the hut. (Why a Brazilian parrot should be shilling for a Hawaiian-themed room is a mystery, but it ultimately makes as much sense as the Mexican, Irish, French, and German parrots who host the show inside.) Once seated, the guests are subjected to a spectacle consisting of scores of birds and tikis singing various ditties, the most notorious of which is the anthemic "In the Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room." After a suitable period, the bombarded guests are gratefully released back into the "real" world. There's something about these attractions that brings out the annoying in the Disney Imagineers and composers. "Pirates of the Caribbean" has its marauding buccaneers sing a catchy chantey -- most of which is unintelligible except for its repeated lines of "Yo ho! Yo ho! A pirate’s life for me!" and "Drink up, me hearties, yo ho!" And the less said about the endlessly-rendered title song of "It’s a Small World," the better (try getting that one out of your head, now that we've mentioned it). We must admit, though, we were actually fond of the Carousel of Progress’s "There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" -- which may be one of the reasons the attraction was closed at the original Magic Kingdom in 1973 (though it survives at Walt Disney World). In recent years, the technology has improved. The original version of the Tiki Room featured a behind-the-scenes array of computers that filled a room, with vast machines that hummed, clicked, and whirred (one assumes that any well-equipped laptop could take the place of all those machines nowadays). "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" has gone through many iterations at Disneyland, and has been supplanted at Walt Disney World with the "Hall of Presidents," which allows Americans to see plastic robots that grotesquely impersonate the U.S.'s past and present chief executives -- and even to hear Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama provide their own voices! Given Disney's genius for combining earworms and Animatronics makes us grateful that they didn't apply it to the Presidents. The prospect of hearing Mr. Lincoln serenading Jefferson Davis with a tune called something like "Keep a Civil Tongue in Your Head" is tempting, but too much to bear. Suggested Sites... The Enchanted Tiki Room - official Disney site, with information, images -- and that song. DaveLandWeb: Enchanted Tiki Room - obsessively complete photo gallery of every aspect of the attraction. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln - watch the 16th president in plastic zombie form! Dead Men Tell No Tales - fan site for the "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride. (Maybe they can decipher the lyrics ...) How Animatronics Works - Step 1: Build a rubber puppet...

Directory categories: Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Rides and Attractions, Animatronics, Robotics

Archived under: 1960s, Abraham Lincoln, American History, Amusement Parks, Anniversaries, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Birds, Dead Celebrities, Disney, Disneyland, Entertainment, George Bush, Impersonators, Invention, Presidents, Puppets, Robotics, Science, Technology, Tourist Attractions, Ventriloquism

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You wouldn't think a ruby-throated hummingbird could eat 12 times as much as Michael Phelps. (Photo by hart_curt) As the day burns by, I occasionally find myself drifting off, thinking of my "happy place," where I can relax most any time, commune with nature, and find my balance. For me, that spot has become my back patio during the summer, when ruby-throated hummingbirds by the hundreds inhabit my surroundings. These hummingbirds, who have returned to their place of birth for generations now, have become such an integral part of my family that their return migration each spring is a highly-anticipated event. Yes, even though their presence means I'll be filling hummingbird feeders daily (at present, I have eight hanging under the rafters), and will be constantly mixing sugar water for their human-made nectar. I feed so many that I go through roughly ten pounds of sugar for their nectar every week ... which means I save change and dollar bills all year long to be able to afford said expenses. (Last year's final total of sugar poundage was 210!) I'm not sure what it is about them, but having those hummers here helps make home, well, home. The flyers become so accustomed to me that they'll even indulge my fascination, and stand on my fingers as they drink from the feeders. Most importantly, their arrival signals that summer has arrived. And it's a sad, sad day when the final feathered friend departs for southern climes during the colder months. Here are a few other general hummingbird facts: Their wings can beat from 40-80 times PER SECOND! Flight speed is 30-50 miles per hour, and can be a lot more in a dive That unmistakable sound is due to their wing beats, but the chirping or squeaking noises they make are actually emanating from their tails They are the only vertebrates capable of sustained hovering Thanks to their incredible metabolism, can consume the human-equivalent of 150,000+ calories per day There are over 300 species, making Trochilinae one of the largest families of creatures Their diet consists primarily of sugary nectar, but also includes insects as a source of protein They do have predators Suggested Sites... Hummingbirds.net - resource for information on North American hummingbirds. Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center - fostering greater understanding, appreciation, and protection of the grand phenomenon of bird migration. Enjoyable Hummingbirds - features slideshows and video of ruby-throated hummingbirds. Hummingbird Pictures Guide - identify your hummingbird from these images. The Hummingbird Society - teaching about hummingbirds, and working to protect them.

Directory categories: Hummingbirds, Bird Migrations, Bird Houses and Feeders

Archived under: Animals, Bird Migration, Birds, In Character, Outdoors, Spring, Summer

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2005 Woodcarving Competition in Westport, WA (Photo by Jan Tik) Nothing makes us think of highbrow art and refined culture like the roar of a chainsaw and the spray of sawdust. Though some snooty metropolitan galleries might not be ready for chainsaw art exhibits, rough-hewn wooden sculptures are on display in countless homes and businesses around the world. From Hawaii to Wales, from country fiddlers to former punk rockers, chainsaw artists are hacking out a niche in the woodworking world. We're not sure if it's the folksy, handmade look that catches the public's eye, or the idea of graceful, intricate artwork being created with a tool that's generally known for brute force. There's certainly something fascinating about the process, though -- watching rugged pillars of timber being transformed into bears, eagles, and well... more bears. So many bears. Suggested Sites... Wisconsin School of Chainsaw Carving - ready to create art with power tools? Start with some advice from the pros... United Chainsaw Carvers Guild - ...then share tips and ideas with fellow artists... Ridgway Rendezvous - ...or show your talent at an international chainsaw carving event... Chainsaw Art Directory - ...and you might end up listed in a directory of professional chainsaw artists!

Directory categories: Chainsaw Carving, Chainsaw Carvings for Sale, Woodworking, Woodworking Tools, Folk, Self Taught, and Outsider Art

Archived under: Animals, Artists, Arts, Bears, Birds, Crafts, Decorating, Design, Fanatics, Homemade, Lumberjacks, Sculpture

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Now that the holidays are upon us, we thought that, rather than looking at the immediate past of sites and categories added to the Yahoo! Directory, we should take a look at the bigger picture; that is, the stuff you’ve looked for in years past, and which we’re pretty sure you’ll be looking for again this week. After all, this is the season for giving, and what better gift can we give you than the information you so desperately crave? Let’s start with the most obvious search: Thanksgiving. People will be hustling and bustling around the country to be with loved ones, so you’ll want to know whether your guests will arrive (or if you’re the traveler, how long it’ll take). Why not start in the Travel category, where you'll find information about ticketing, tracking flights, and airport advisories? If you're not flying, how about information about trains, automobiles -- or less traditional forms of travel? Of course, if you’re hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, you’ll probably want to decorate, and you’ll find clip art and graphics here -- even wallpaper for your computer. But let’s not forget the guest of honor: Mr. Tom Turkey. We can show you a vast array of ways to prepare the noble bird -- or even substitute a healthier alternative -- along with an array of ubiquitous side dishes from mashed potatoes and gravy to green bean casseroles. Not quite sure what to do with all that turkey afterwards? Fear not, as we can show you plenty of recipes for leftovers and soups. (And of course, if you just can’t stand another mouthful of stuffing, well, that’s what takeout is for.) Of course, since the holiday is just beginning, you know what comes next. Even in these economically-unsure times, there are those who just can't resist the siren call of the shopping mall, and we can show you where to go and who has the best deals. For those of you not shopping, who are of a more traditional persuasion, take a gander at some ideas for Christmas decorating -- after all, it’s only a month away (where the heck did 2008 go, anyway?). Regardless, happy holidays from your friends at the Yahoo! Directory; America’s favorite Internet source of aggregated information for over a tenth of a century. Suggested Sites... Yahoo! Directory: Turkey Cooking and Carving - it's not enough to roast the bird; you have to know how to serve it, too. Yahoo! Directory: Deep-Fried Turkey - for Pete's sake, don't burn the house down! Yahoo! Directory: Traffic and Road Conditions - plan your trip to arrive in one piece. Yahoo! Directory: Football - because Turkey Day isn't complete without pigskin... Yahoo! Directory: Turducken - ...unless you mean this kind of pigskin.

Directory categories: Thanksgiving, Travel, Families, Food and Drink, Pilgrims

Archived under: Birds, Celebrations, Christmas, Cooking, Decorating, Diets, Eating, Food and Drink, Football, Holidays, Pizza, Recipes, Shopping, Tofu, Travel, Turkey, Vegetables, Yahoo! Directory

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