Dutch Museum Uses Smells to Recreate Celebrity Deaths
Dutch scientists are recreating the deaths of some of the world's most famous personalities by reconstructing their last moments using scents and sounds.From the sweet smell of Jacqueline Kennedy's perfume, mingled with the scent of John F. Kennedy's blood to Whitney Houston's last drug-fuelled moments in a Beverly Hills bathtub, scientists at Breda university say they offer visitors a unique, if somewhat macabre, historical snapshot.
"We all have seen the images of JFK's assassination, but what did it smell like?" asks Frederik Duerinck, of the communication and multimedia design faculty of Breda's Avans university of applied sciences.
For about five minutes, visitors can relive the smells and sounds believed to have surrounded four people whose deaths are etched into the world's collective memory: Kennedy (1963); Diana, Princess of Wales (1997); Muammar Gaddafi (2011) and Houston (2012).
For instance, those wanting to experience Houston's final moments are transported to a bathtub at the upmarket Beverly Hills hotel where the diva died in February 2012 at age 48. To the sounds of splashing water and Houston's voice, a visitor first gets a whiff of generic cleaner, used in hotels around the world, followed by the olive oil the singer used in her tub. Then a strong chemical odor, similar to that of cocaine, fills the box, grabbing its occupant by the throat, followed by the sound of rushing water and then silence.
"Smell is rarely used in communication and we wanted to explore its uses," said Mr Duerinck. "It's a very powerful means of communication."
Dutch scientists are recreating the deaths of some of the world's most famous personalities by reconstructing their last moments using scents and sounds.From the sweet smell of Jacqueline Kennedy's perfume, mingled with the scent of John F. Kennedy's blood to Whitney Houston's last drug-fuelled moments in a Beverly Hills bathtub, scientists at Breda university say they offer visitors a unique, if somewhat macabre, historical snapshot.
"We all have seen the images of JFK's assassination, but what did it smell like?" asks Frederik Duerinck, of the communication and multimedia design faculty of Breda's Avans university of applied sciences.
For about five minutes, visitors can relive the smells and sounds believed to have surrounded four people whose deaths are etched into the world's collective memory: Kennedy (1963); Diana, Princess of Wales (1997); Muammar Gaddafi (2011) and Houston (2012).
For instance, those wanting to experience Houston's final moments are transported to a bathtub at the upmarket Beverly Hills hotel where the diva died in February 2012 at age 48. To the sounds of splashing water and Houston's voice, a visitor first gets a whiff of generic cleaner, used in hotels around the world, followed by the olive oil the singer used in her tub. Then a strong chemical odor, similar to that of cocaine, fills the box, grabbing its occupant by the throat, followed by the sound of rushing water and then silence.
"Smell is rarely used in communication and we wanted to explore its uses," said Mr Duerinck. "It's a very powerful means of communication."
Special Bonding Moments
In August 2013, actor Liam Hemsworth appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and talked about a special bonding moment he shared with fellow actor Josh Hutcherson after a visit to a White Castle restaurant. During filming of Hunger Games, they split 90 hamburgers and ate them. Hemsworth says, "And then about half an hour later... this was our first real bonding experience, me and Josh, this was when we really became good friends... and we went out to (Josh's) garden and threw up together." Kimmel then told the Australian, "You're an American now.... you get automatic American status."
White Castle was so impressed with the feat, they told TMZ they are inducting Hemsworth and Hutcherson into the White Castle Hall of Fame. Further, the fast food chain offered to donate $20,000 to a charity of their choice.
In August 2013, actor Liam Hemsworth appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and talked about a special bonding moment he shared with fellow actor Josh Hutcherson after a visit to a White Castle restaurant. During filming of Hunger Games, they split 90 hamburgers and ate them. Hemsworth says, "And then about half an hour later... this was our first real bonding experience, me and Josh, this was when we really became good friends... and we went out to (Josh's) garden and threw up together." Kimmel then told the Australian, "You're an American now.... you get automatic American status."
White Castle was so impressed with the feat, they told TMZ they are inducting Hemsworth and Hutcherson into the White Castle Hall of Fame. Further, the fast food chain offered to donate $20,000 to a charity of their choice.
Special Discounts
Restaurant coupons and promotions are becoming more and more commonplace, but one woman at Twisted Root Burger in Texas was recently given discounts for ‘Best Butt’ and ‘Best Looking.’
A user on the Reddit website posted a picture of his friend’s receipt, which shows the bizarre mark-down below the unidentified woman’s veggie bowl and fried pickles order.
The female diner received a $0.01 discount for each of her attractive attributes.
The website Consumerist that reported the story points out that the receipt has not been verified, but one commenter on the site claims to work at the chain and confirmed that fun discounts can indeed be added to bills.
Restaurant coupons and promotions are becoming more and more commonplace, but one woman at Twisted Root Burger in Texas was recently given discounts for ‘Best Butt’ and ‘Best Looking.’
A user on the Reddit website posted a picture of his friend’s receipt, which shows the bizarre mark-down below the unidentified woman’s veggie bowl and fried pickles order.
The female diner received a $0.01 discount for each of her attractive attributes.
The website Consumerist that reported the story points out that the receipt has not been verified, but one commenter on the site claims to work at the chain and confirmed that fun discounts can indeed be added to bills.
Donald Ducking
In March 2012 on 'Late Night with Jimmy Kimmel,' actor Jonah Hill revealed a strange hotel behavior. Hill told Kimmel that he and "21 Jump Street" co-star Channing Tatum have been traveling around the world in a movie-studio-supplied airplane - stocked with beer - to promote their new movie. He said they often had a bit too much to drink before hitting their hotel rooms. Hill then says he went to bed in his hotel room on 6 different occasions in his usual boxers-and-T-shirt, but woke up later in a completely different outfit: "a dress shirt, a tie, no pants or underwear, dress socks and dress shoes completely tied." Hill says he has no memory of how the clothing change happened. Tatum and Hill have dubbed the behavior "Donald Ducking," a reference to the famously pant-less cartoon character. Hill clarified, "But not like casual Donald Ducking, business casual Donald Ducking,"
"Are you getting up in the night and doing this?" asked Kimmel. "Apparently, Jimmy," answered Hill. Kimmel then suggested Hill set up a night time nanny-cam.
In March 2012 on 'Late Night with Jimmy Kimmel,' actor Jonah Hill revealed a strange hotel behavior. Hill told Kimmel that he and "21 Jump Street" co-star Channing Tatum have been traveling around the world in a movie-studio-supplied airplane - stocked with beer - to promote their new movie. He said they often had a bit too much to drink before hitting their hotel rooms. Hill then says he went to bed in his hotel room on 6 different occasions in his usual boxers-and-T-shirt, but woke up later in a completely different outfit: "a dress shirt, a tie, no pants or underwear, dress socks and dress shoes completely tied." Hill says he has no memory of how the clothing change happened. Tatum and Hill have dubbed the behavior "Donald Ducking," a reference to the famously pant-less cartoon character. Hill clarified, "But not like casual Donald Ducking, business casual Donald Ducking,"
"Are you getting up in the night and doing this?" asked Kimmel. "Apparently, Jimmy," answered Hill. Kimmel then suggested Hill set up a night time nanny-cam.
Flying the Naked Skies
On Feb 9, 2012, EasyJet passengers on a flight from Hamburg to Gatwick were stunned when a male passenger stripped naked during the flight. The Scottish man undressed in the bathroom before parading the length of the cabin. Despite the crew’s best efforts, he refused to put his clothes back on for the rest of the journey. Fortunately, passengers said the 35-year-old kept his tray table down. Airline bosses praised the captain and crew for their “professional” handling of the incident. One passenger said, “He looked far from your average hippy and was relatively handsome, if a little unkempt." But he seemed very angry and the crew didn’t want to cause further aggravation, so they let him fly the whole journey naked. Other passengers were prevented from leaving the plane at Gatwick until police arrived. A spokeswoman said the man was detained under the UK's Mental Health Act.
On Feb 9, 2012, EasyJet passengers on a flight from Hamburg to Gatwick were stunned when a male passenger stripped naked during the flight. The Scottish man undressed in the bathroom before parading the length of the cabin. Despite the crew’s best efforts, he refused to put his clothes back on for the rest of the journey. Fortunately, passengers said the 35-year-old kept his tray table down. Airline bosses praised the captain and crew for their “professional” handling of the incident. One passenger said, “He looked far from your average hippy and was relatively handsome, if a little unkempt." But he seemed very angry and the crew didn’t want to cause further aggravation, so they let him fly the whole journey naked. Other passengers were prevented from leaving the plane at Gatwick until police arrived. A spokeswoman said the man was detained under the UK's Mental Health Act.
Welcome to Sidney
In late 2008, a 21-year-old German tourist who wanted to visit his girlfriend in Sydney, Australia, ended up more than 8,000 miles off course on his way to Sidney, Montana, after mistyping his destination on an online booking site. Dressed for the Australian summer in t-shirt and shorts, Tobi Gutt left Germany for a four-week holiday. Instead of arriving “down under”, Gutt found himself on a different continent and bound for the chilly state of Montana. “I did wonder but I didn’t want to say anything,” Gutt told the Bild newspaper. “I thought to myself, you can fly to Australia via the United States.”
Gutt’s airline ticket routed him via the U.S. city of Portland, Oregon, to Billings, Montana. Only as he was about to board the commuter flight leaving Portland did he realize his mistake. The hapless tourist, who had only a thin jacket to keep out the winter cold, spent the next three days in the Billings airport before he was able to buy a new ticket to Australia with money that his parents and friends sent from Germany. Gutt’s mother said, “I didn’t notice the mistake as my son is usually good with computers.”
Flightus Interrupt-us
In November of 2011, more than 180 passengers on a Comtel flight from India to Britain were stranded for six hours in Vienna when they were told they had to pay extra so the airline could buy more fuel. The charter service asked them to kick in more than $31,000 to fund the rest of the flight to Birmingham, England. One Comtel cabin crew member went on the intercom to tell passengers, "We need some money to pay the fuel, to pay the airport, to pay everything we need. If you want to go to Birmingham, you have to pay." Some passengers said they were sent off the plane to go to cash machines to get the money.
In November of 2011, more than 180 passengers on a Comtel flight from India to Britain were stranded for six hours in Vienna when they were told they had to pay extra so the airline could buy more fuel. The charter service asked them to kick in more than $31,000 to fund the rest of the flight to Birmingham, England. One Comtel cabin crew member went on the intercom to tell passengers, "We need some money to pay the fuel, to pay the airport, to pay everything we need. If you want to go to Birmingham, you have to pay." Some passengers said they were sent off the plane to go to cash machines to get the money.
A Sacrifice to the Airline Gods
In 2007, officials at Nepal's state-run airline sacrificed two goats to appease Akash Bhairab, the Hindu sky god, following technical problems with one of its Boeing 757 aircraft. Nepal Airlines, which has two Boeing aircraft, had to suspend some services over the prior several weeks due the problem. The goats were sacrificed in front of the troublesome aircraft at Nepal's only international airport in Kathmandu in accordance with Hindu traditions, an official said. "The snag in the plane has now been fixed and the aircraft has resumed its flights," said Raju K.C., a senior airline official, without explaining what the problem had been. Local media blamed the company's woes on an electrical fault. The carrier runs international flights to five cities in Asia. It is common in Nepal to sacrifice animals like goats and buffaloes to appease different Hindu deities.
In 2007, officials at Nepal's state-run airline sacrificed two goats to appease Akash Bhairab, the Hindu sky god, following technical problems with one of its Boeing 757 aircraft. Nepal Airlines, which has two Boeing aircraft, had to suspend some services over the prior several weeks due the problem. The goats were sacrificed in front of the troublesome aircraft at Nepal's only international airport in Kathmandu in accordance with Hindu traditions, an official said. "The snag in the plane has now been fixed and the aircraft has resumed its flights," said Raju K.C., a senior airline official, without explaining what the problem had been. Local media blamed the company's woes on an electrical fault. The carrier runs international flights to five cities in Asia. It is common in Nepal to sacrifice animals like goats and buffaloes to appease different Hindu deities.
Are People Dying to Go There?
A Chinese woman opened a death-themed hotel in 2007 in the middle of a vast graveyard in the town of Lishui in Jiangsu Province. Jiao Meige, the enterprising hotelier, says she originally wanted to rent out her land for farming, but had to abandon those plans because nobody wanted to work there. The Mausoleum Inn is located in and resembles a Chinese style funeral home. Meige says she wants to let her guests “experience death” by sleeping in coffin-shaped beds. But those who want to experience life on the other side might not have an extensive selection of daytime activities to look forward to since the surrounding vicinity is covered with graves. Not everyone is allowed entry into Meige's hotel of death. People with a history of cardiac ailments are a strict no-no while “mental patients must be accompanied by healthy people.”
A Chinese woman opened a death-themed hotel in 2007 in the middle of a vast graveyard in the town of Lishui in Jiangsu Province. Jiao Meige, the enterprising hotelier, says she originally wanted to rent out her land for farming, but had to abandon those plans because nobody wanted to work there. The Mausoleum Inn is located in and resembles a Chinese style funeral home. Meige says she wants to let her guests “experience death” by sleeping in coffin-shaped beds. But those who want to experience life on the other side might not have an extensive selection of daytime activities to look forward to since the surrounding vicinity is covered with graves. Not everyone is allowed entry into Meige's hotel of death. People with a history of cardiac ailments are a strict no-no while “mental patients must be accompanied by healthy people.”
Monkeys Like to Party Too
Travelers headed to the sandy shores of St. Kitts are advised to keep a close eye on their daiquiris. The island’s liquor-loving monkeys, known as vervets, are prone to swooping down on alcoholic drinks that are left unattended. The monkeys were introduced to the tantalizing effects of umbrella-laden mojitos and shots of tequila by tourists a few decades ago.
According to a report by ABC News, researchers studying the primates were surprised to discover that the messed-up monkeys engage in many of the same behaviors as University frat boys: Slurred speech, unprovoked hostility, binge drinking, blackouts, and obnoxious sexual behavior. And just like overindulging humans, the morning after isn’t always a treat. One researcher added, "The binge drinkers gulp down the alcohol at a very fast rate and pass out on the floor. Then the next day they do it all over again." Sounds familiar.
See video below.
Travelers headed to the sandy shores of St. Kitts are advised to keep a close eye on their daiquiris. The island’s liquor-loving monkeys, known as vervets, are prone to swooping down on alcoholic drinks that are left unattended. The monkeys were introduced to the tantalizing effects of umbrella-laden mojitos and shots of tequila by tourists a few decades ago.
According to a report by ABC News, researchers studying the primates were surprised to discover that the messed-up monkeys engage in many of the same behaviors as University frat boys: Slurred speech, unprovoked hostility, binge drinking, blackouts, and obnoxious sexual behavior. And just like overindulging humans, the morning after isn’t always a treat. One researcher added, "The binge drinkers gulp down the alcohol at a very fast rate and pass out on the floor. Then the next day they do it all over again." Sounds familiar.
See video below.
Not Ready for American Idol
In late 2006, the night porter in a Are, Sweden, hotel attempted to amuse himself and the cleaning crews at the four star Holiday Club hotel. He sang songs containing a large amount of foul language over the hotel intercom, unaware hotel customers could also hear his risqué serenade. "I don't understand how this could have happened, especially since the guy was sober," said hotel manager Tomas Karlsson. Thirty of the hotel rooms disturbed by the singing were occupied by television crews and staff from national broadcaster SVT. "Some of the SVT people got so angry that they threatened to beat up the night porter if they set eyes on him again," said Karlsson. The hotel paid more than $5,000 in compensation to the company that paid for the SVT staff's rooms. Private guests were offered free stays at the hotel if they ever return to the area.
In late 2006, the night porter in a Are, Sweden, hotel attempted to amuse himself and the cleaning crews at the four star Holiday Club hotel. He sang songs containing a large amount of foul language over the hotel intercom, unaware hotel customers could also hear his risqué serenade. "I don't understand how this could have happened, especially since the guy was sober," said hotel manager Tomas Karlsson. Thirty of the hotel rooms disturbed by the singing were occupied by television crews and staff from national broadcaster SVT. "Some of the SVT people got so angry that they threatened to beat up the night porter if they set eyes on him again," said Karlsson. The hotel paid more than $5,000 in compensation to the company that paid for the SVT staff's rooms. Private guests were offered free stays at the hotel if they ever return to the area.
No Soup For You
In March 2007, a 30-year-old woman was so disgusted by the food she was served on a Newark-bound Continental Airlines flight that she threw the loaded tray at a flight attendant. Things came to a boil somewhere between the Dominican Republic and Newark Airport after the passenger complained that her special meal didn't meet her culinary expectations. "She said she was a vegetarian and she didn't like what she was being served," said an airline official. "So she threw the food tray -- and the food -- at the attendant." Sources said the meal was not vegetarian and the woman did not like the way it was served to her. The crew called the Port Authority, whose officers met the plane when it landed at Newark at 3:58 p.m. The flight attendant declined to press charges against the passenger, who was not identified, but cops still filed a report. A Houston-based Continental spokesman confirmed the flight was met by PA officials, but he declined further comment.
In March 2007, a 30-year-old woman was so disgusted by the food she was served on a Newark-bound Continental Airlines flight that she threw the loaded tray at a flight attendant. Things came to a boil somewhere between the Dominican Republic and Newark Airport after the passenger complained that her special meal didn't meet her culinary expectations. "She said she was a vegetarian and she didn't like what she was being served," said an airline official. "So she threw the food tray -- and the food -- at the attendant." Sources said the meal was not vegetarian and the woman did not like the way it was served to her. The crew called the Port Authority, whose officers met the plane when it landed at Newark at 3:58 p.m. The flight attendant declined to press charges against the passenger, who was not identified, but cops still filed a report. A Houston-based Continental spokesman confirmed the flight was met by PA officials, but he declined further comment.
No Soup For You, Part II
In November 2007, Royal Caribbean abruptly notified Brenda and Gerald Moran that they were no longer welcome on any Royal Caribbean International ship, including the company’s subsidiaries Celebrity and Azamara. EVER. The reason? They complained too much. The couple had been fans of the cruise line for several years, having gone on six cruises. But they also had their share of problems like Gerald getting locked out on a balcony for 3 hours and sewage backing up into their stateroom. Royal Caribbean offered the couple compensation, including $500 and 20% off on their next cruise. However, Brenda complained about the events on a web site called Cruise Critic, and that drew the attention of Royal Caribbean officials. The company asked Brenda to remove her posts, which she refused to do. The Morans were then informed that “they would be best served by sailing with another company.” Royal Caribbean denies they have an official policy asking that negative posts to be removed from Internet forums. Meanwhile, the Morans say they’ve discovered Norwegian Cruise Line. “They are so much better than Royal Caribbean,” says Brenda.
In November 2007, Royal Caribbean abruptly notified Brenda and Gerald Moran that they were no longer welcome on any Royal Caribbean International ship, including the company’s subsidiaries Celebrity and Azamara. EVER. The reason? They complained too much. The couple had been fans of the cruise line for several years, having gone on six cruises. But they also had their share of problems like Gerald getting locked out on a balcony for 3 hours and sewage backing up into their stateroom. Royal Caribbean offered the couple compensation, including $500 and 20% off on their next cruise. However, Brenda complained about the events on a web site called Cruise Critic, and that drew the attention of Royal Caribbean officials. The company asked Brenda to remove her posts, which she refused to do. The Morans were then informed that “they would be best served by sailing with another company.” Royal Caribbean denies they have an official policy asking that negative posts to be removed from Internet forums. Meanwhile, the Morans say they’ve discovered Norwegian Cruise Line. “They are so much better than Royal Caribbean,” says Brenda.
I’d Walk a Mile to Punch a Camel
A Santa Rosa, California, man was arrested in May 2008 for punching a camel at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo. Police said a female friend of 24 year old Christopher Allen dared him to enter a restricted area and assault the camel. Allen reportedly punched the camel and was detained by park security before running from the park with his friends, police said. Allen was taken into custody as he and Chrissy Thatcher, 22, of San Rafael, drove along Highway 37. The camel reportedly wasn't injured in the assault. The 135 acre wildlife and theme park was formerly called Six Flags Marine World.
A Santa Rosa, California, man was arrested in May 2008 for punching a camel at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo. Police said a female friend of 24 year old Christopher Allen dared him to enter a restricted area and assault the camel. Allen reportedly punched the camel and was detained by park security before running from the park with his friends, police said. Allen was taken into custody as he and Chrissy Thatcher, 22, of San Rafael, drove along Highway 37. The camel reportedly wasn't injured in the assault. The 135 acre wildlife and theme park was formerly called Six Flags Marine World.