The perfect meal (Photo by TheBusyBrain) Back in July, we dealt with the multiple claimants to the title "inventor of the hamburger." At the time, we asked you not to get us started on who invented the hot dog, but what with the passing of the summer grilling season and the rolling-around of Hot Dog Day; well, we’ve decided to take on the topic. The sausage itself goes back thousands of years. There are descriptions from China as far back as 589 BCE, and even a lost Greek comedy from around 500 BCE called "The Sausage." But the "hot dog" variation is of comparatively recent vintage. As with the hamburger, the food is of German or Austrian origin. The "frankfurter sandwich" clearly owes its name to Frankfurt, and the "wiener" to Vienna (or "Wien," as the locals know it). And while those creations date back to around 1500 AD, the hot dog we know and love today didn't emigrate to the United States until around 1867, when German immigrant Charles Feltman began selling sausages in rolls to hungry visitors at Coney Island. Feltman served 3,684 hot dogs during his first year in business, a mere fraction of the what is consumed today. Feltman would seem to hold the crown as inventor of the hot dog, but Antonoine Feuchtwanger of St. Louis also has his supporters. Feuchtwanger, in a tale that sounds apocryphal, sold sausages on the streets and gave his customers white gloves to protect their hands from the hot food. After too many customers walked off with the gloves, Feuchtwanger asked his baker brother-in-law to devise a bun to put the sausages in. What makes this story sound fishy to us is another story involving one Anton Ludwig Feuchtwanger, who served sausages in rolls at either the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago or the 1904 World's Fair in St Louis, again substituting bread rolls for gloves. Even the story of how the name "hot dog" was coined is murky. Supposedly, around 1900, cartoonist Tad Dorgan heard a vendor at New York's Polo Grounds selling "red hot dachshund sandwiches," and, not knowing how to spell "dachshund," Dorgan drew a cartoon featuring a "hot dog" instead. (This story loses credibility when one realizes that Dorgan didn't move to New York until 1903, the cartoon in question has never turned up, and the term "hot dog" was already in use by 1893.) Regardless of where the hot dog came from or how it got its name, Americans love them, and eat some 20 billion every year (that's 70 per person), with 155 million of those consumed on the Fourth of July alone. While pretty much everyone seems to eat hot dogs, everyone also has their own particular way of enjoying them. My own favorite is a hot grilled Dodger Dog with ketchup, mustard, and relish. You can also get them deep-fried ("rippers"), with bacon and guacamole, with chili and slaw, on a stick, made from antelope, elk, buffalo, reindeer, or salmon, done up like a pizza, from the place where the pros go, or you can try the inexplicably popular Chicago style, which buries the poor dog under a mountain of mustard, pickle spears, tomatoes, peppers, celery salt, and neon-green relish. Now, if you'll excuse me, the "recession special" at Gray's Papaya (two dogs and a drink for less than five bucks) is sounding mighty good right about now. Suggested Sites... National Hot Dog & Sausage Council - the big dogs of hot dogs. A Hot Dog Program - Pittsburgh's Rick Sebak went in search of America's finest hot dog emporiums -- and found them. Travel Channel: Hot Dog Paradise - their guide to the best tubes of processed meat. Wikipedia: Hot Dogs - history, variations, and places to get them. USDA: Hot Dogs and Food Safety - the official federal standards (we'll bypass whether they're good for you ...)

Directory categories: Hot Dogs, Hot Dog Recipes, Sausage, Fast Food Restaurants

Archived under: Beef, Celebrations, Chicago, Cooking, Delicatessen, Eating, Events, Fast Food, Food and Drink, Germany, Hot Dogs, In Character, Junk Food, Meat, New York, Sandwiches, Snacks, Summer, United States

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And you thought blogging was a recent phenomenon (Photo by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com) If you're a woman and a blogger, chances are you've already heard of the BlogHer conference, which starts today in Chicago. If not, it would be worth your while to peruse their site, as they provide a nice central locale on the Web for a vast number of women bloggers (and even a few men, as well!). This year's agenda looks worth the trek to the windy city, with topics including business, privacy, sexuality, branding, and a host of educational "geek labs." Of course The Spark has several women bloggers, and I decided to take this opportunity to find out what women here at Yahoo! are blogging about (Yahoo! has more than a dozen blogs in the U.S. alone), and discover staff favorites. You’ll find women blogging on the Yahoo! Answers blog, as well as the Buzz Log, Shine, and Yodel Anecdotal, inspiring curiosity and conversations. In their off-hours, Yahoo! women blog about knitting, public transit in San Francisco, and finding the cutest things on the Web. At least one even blogs in French! And what women-authored blogs are Yahoos (who are online a lot) reading? The topics run the gamut from the traditional "ladymag" fare of "Jezebel" to Maud Newton’s musings on literature and Jackie Clay’s advice on homesteading. And several staff members rely on "Cake Wrecks" for a daily laugh. It’s nice to be reminded that the online community of women is alive and well, and that it extends into realms beyond "mommy-blogging" (er -- not that there’s anything wrong with mommy-blogging ...). Suggested Sites... BlogHer's Blog Directory - browse blogs in twenty topic areas. How Do I Sell Advertising On My Blog? - About.com interview with BlogHer presenter Lynn Truong. Yahoo! Moms Video Channel - Yahoo! video coverage of the BlogHer Conference. Yodeling Mamas - Yahoo's very own mommy-blogger hub. Best Female Bloggers of 2008 - year-end round-up of some standout bloggers on various topics, from thefrisky.com.

Directory categories: Blog Directories, Women and the Internet, Mommy Blogs, Cyberculture, Collaborative Blogs

Archived under: Blogs, Chicago, Conventions, Cyberculture, In Character, Internet, The Spark, Women, Yahoo!

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Honestly, who wouldn't want their bank robbed by this guy? (Photo from Yahoo! Movies) In times of political and economic turmoil, it's common for villains to become heroes in the eyes of the public. From Robin Hood and Guy Fawkes in England to the outlaws of the American West, notoriety can become an admirable trait. One of the most popular figures of this ilk was John Dillinger, the (in)famous bank robber. Despite a short career spanning just over a decade (most of which he actually spent in jail), Dillinger became one of the newly formed FBI's most wanted criminals and a star in America's media. With his flashy style, leading-man good looks, charming demeanor, and creative robbery tactics, it's not surprising that Dillinger was embraced by the public. Moreover, his crime sprees occurred during an era when most Americans were feeling the effects of the Great Depression; thus, he (and other '30s era outlaws like Bonnie and Clyde) were viewed largely as latter-day Robin Hoods (albeit armed with machine guns, rather than with bows and arrows). The exploits of the Dillinger Gang (whose members included Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd and George "Babyface" Nelson) were legendary; among Dillinger's supposed (mis)adventures were two jail breaks (one using a fake gun made of wood), staging a bank holdup as a movie shoot, pretending to be a bank security expert to gain access to vaults, and stealing an estimated $300,000 from various Midwestern banks (equivalent to nearly $5 million today!). Dillinger also dated a series of beautiful women and was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. Dillinger's death became nearly as legendary as his life. While attending a film ("Manhattan Melodrama") at Chicago's Biograph Theater, one of his girlfriends, Anna Sage (who became known as "the woman in red"), tipped off the FBI as to Dillinger's identity; the agents then shot him multiple times, and he died in the theatre's alley. Or did he? Several discrepancies with Dillinger's body and forensic evidence led many to believe the man who had been shot had been an imposter and that the real Dillinger was still alive. That story is unlikely, but it remains just another extraordinary aspect of Dillinger's brief life and (still living) legend -- such as that part of him ended up in the Smithsonian. Today marks the opening of Michael Mann's highly-anticipated film "Public Enemies," which details the various exploits of Dillinger (played by Johnny Depp), his relationship with singer Billie Frechette (Oscar winner Marion Cotillard), and the efforts of FBI special agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) to capture him. The movie's release couldn't be more timely, considering current economic circumstances. It's likely to rekindle interest in Dillinger but will, hopefully, deter any would-be Robin Hoods from following in his footsteps. Perhaps his most lasting legacy is the reminder that crime does not pay. Suggested Sites... Public Enemy #1 - PBS "American Life" feature about the life and crimes of John Dillinger. "Dillinger" (1945) - watch the first Dillinger film, starring Lawrence Tierney. Dillinger On Screen - synopsis of "Dillinger," "Public Enemies," and other movies about John Herbert Dillinger. Bryan Burrough - official site for the author of "Public Enemies," the book upon which the movie is based. FBI Most Wanted Lists - crime may not pay, but it sure can make you popular.

Directory categories: John Dillinger, Public Enemies, Johnny Depp, FBI History, Outlaws

Archived under: 1930s, Actors, American History, Biographies, Celebrities, Chicago, Crime, Criminals, Dead Celebrities, Detectives, History, Law Enforcement, Movie Theatres, Movies, Mythology and Folklore, Society and Culture, United States, Urban Legends, Villains

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"What are YOU doing this weekend?" (Photo by Veronica ML) Ah, the lazy days of summer are here. Wait -- "lazy?" We Americans are lazy enough already, according to this month’s American Journal of Medicine. That means it’s time to get out, get active, and to take advantage of some summertime activities! Nothing on your calendar? No problem! Ours is packed through the season. Here are just a few ideas for just this weekend: In major metropolitan areas, of course, there’s always something going on. If you’re anywhere near Chicago, this weekend is "Taste of Chicago," with free admission and filled with food and music. Speaking of music, everyone in Dallas is likely lined up for the "American Idol" auditions. If you missed registering in Texas, get your plane tickets now for one of the upcoming auditions in Los Angeles, Orlando, or Denver. Are there events geared toward those who want to get or stay fit this summer? Certainly! Remember the "Seinfeld" episode where Kramer swims in the East River because the pool is too constricting? It turns out there's a gaggle of like-minded New Yorkers who are swimming around Liberty Island today. If you can't make it, don’t worry; they have more events scheduled. Of course, you don’t have to live in the big city to find cool things to do. Wherever you are, you can still participate in "Take Your Dog to Work Day" (provided your employer approves, of course!), Some folks in Petaluma, California, however, will be skipping work with their pooches to visit the Sonoma-Marin Fair and enter the "World’s Ugliest Dog Contest." If the thought of big crowds and rats on leashes makes you want to just stay home -- or if you’re just saving all your energy for the Fourth of July weekend -- you can still get involved by watching other people push the limits of hockey, golf, or pure speed. Just don’t say you’re bored!

Directory categories: American Idol, Recreation in Manhattan, Chicago Travel Guides, Activities for Dogs, Sports

Archived under: American Idol, Animals, Boredom, Calendars, Chicago, Cities, Contests, Dogs, Eating, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Food and Drink, Health, Outdoors, Pets, Recreation and Travel, Regional, Seinfeld, Sports, Summer, Swimming, Tourist Attractions, Travel, Vacations

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Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb's mug shots On May 21, 1924, two extraordinarily intelligent and affluent University of Chicago students by the names of Nathan Freudenthal Leopold, Jr. and Richard A. Loeb lured 14-year-old Bobby Franks into their rented car, struck him with a chisel, and stuffed a sock into his mouth, killing him. They doused Franks with hydrochloric acid in an attempt to impede identification and left the body north of Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana. The horrific pre-meditated crime, born not of neither revenge or greed, was committed simply for the "thrill" (a word that's often associated with them.) They believed themselves to be "Nietzschean Übermenschen," not only capable of committing a "perfect crime," but also entitled to do so. Perhaps it's that sinister motivation that makes Leopold and Loeb such fascinating subject matter and verdant fodder for filmmakers, writers, and artists. There have been no fewer than six films based on the case, including Alfred Hitchcock's "Rope" (adapted from Patrick Hamilton's play); "Compulsion" (taken from the novel by Meyer Levin), and starring Orson Welles as defense attorney Clarence Darrow; the homoerotically-charged "Swoon," and Austrian director Michael Haneke's "Funny Games" (along with his recent shot-by-shot American remake.) Add those to the pile of novels and historical accounts, plays, graphic novels, TV references, and an acclaimed off-Broadway musical, and their enduring influence on popular culture is clear. Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb were tried and convicted of kidnapping and murder, and (thanks to Darrow convincing the jury not to invoke the death penalty) each was sentenced to life in prison. In 1936, while in Joliet Prison, Loeb was attacked and killed by another inmate who accused him of sexual assault. Leopold was released on parole in 1958 and removed himself to Puerto Rico, where he died of a heart attack in 1971. Interestingly enough, Bobby Franks was not the first victim of their choosing. Eleven-year-old Armand Deutsch had originally been targeted in the meticulous planning of the crime, but on the day of the murder, Deutsch was picked up by the family chauffeur for a dental appointment and Franks was selected instead. Deutsch went on to become a Hollywood producer, socialite, and a part of Ronald Reagan's "Kitchen Cabinet." He died at the age of 92, presumably peacefully with a healthy smile. Suggested Sites... Leopold and Loeb.com - information on the crime, the murderers, the victim, and the trial. Jazz Age Chicago: The Leopold and Loeb Case - offers a collection of documents, photographs, and articles related to the murder case. The Murder that Wouldn't Die - features information on the current Northwestern University Library exhibit on Leopold and Loeb. Famous American Trials: Illinois v. Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb - an account of the trial by Prof. Douglas Linder of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. "Superior" from Thrill Me - watch a Stephen Dolginoff and Doug Kreeger perform a number from the Leopold and Loeb musical, "Thrill Me."

Directory categories: Leopold and Loeb Murder Case, Defense Attorney Clarence Darrow (1857-1938), Musicals: Thrill Me, Crime, Homicide

Archived under: 1920s, Alfred Hitchcock, American History, Anniversaries, Chicago, Crime, Criminals, Death, History, Legal Cases, Movies, Murder, Musicals, Orson Welles, United States

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