Ripley Entertainment Inc.'s Blog, page 122
October 13, 2021
Artist Transforms Butterflies Into Poignant Works
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
With their vividly colored wings and as symbolisms of change, butterflies are one of the few insects that people actually love. But with an average lifespan of only two to four weeks, most of us won’t get to fully appreciate these beautiful bugs.
However, one woman is changing all of that and preserving butterflies forever. UK-based artist Fiona Parkinson’s Insect Dissectology is an innovative new medium that uses carved butterfly wings to create stunning displays of art.
Drawing on her master’s degree in fine arts and her passion for jigsaw puzzle assembly, Fiona expertly preserves specimens for people to enjoy for years to come. A “dissectologist” is someone who enjoys puzzles, hence the series’ name. Fiona’s pieces of intricately assembled art are a merge of traditional taxidermy preservation and creative designs. The result is an original line of modern artwork that will appeal to both curiosity collectors and fans of fine art alike.
Fiona’s pieces range from the whimsical to the morbid. In one design, a vibrant Luna moth is carefully curated under moon phases made from its own wings. In another piece, two species are paired together, one providing skeletons and the other providing coffins from their forewings.
“Memento Mori” by Fiona Parkinson – www.fionaparkinson.com, Instagram – @fiona_taxidermy
What is truly mind-boggling about Fiona’s artwork is the extreme fragility of her medium. Butterfly wings, although strong enough to support the insect’s body as it flutters through the air, are, in fact, extremely delicate. One wrong slice of Fiona’s tools, and the wings are easily destroyed. It takes a precise and extremely steady hand to carve out intricate designs from real butterfly wings, and Fiona rises to the challenge.
A true globetrotter, Fiona has lived in England and South Africa. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 2015, she went on to earn a master’s degree with distinction and was awarded the College of Arts Award while attending Lincoln University in Lincoln, England. Fiona’s art has been prominently featured across Europe, Northeast England, and the United States, and she has even been a guest on local BBC radio stations numerous times.
“Weathervein” by Fiona Parkinson – www.fionaparkinson.com, Instagram – @fiona_taxidermy
In addition to butterflies, Fiona has used birds, small mammals, spiders, and even bacteria in her artwork. She sources her specimens from conservation projects established to protect native populations.
“My techniques combine traditional methods of preservation and taxidermy with modern tools and technology to create beautiful pieces of artwork that can equally inspire emotion and wonder. Given the variation in every specimen, each piece is unique and is hand crafted by me in my studio or the lab. In much of my work the specimens are more akin to a precious paint, a paint that not only delivers diversity and beauty, but also holds within itself a natural emotional value and meaning from our response to the species,” Fiona explained on her website.
We’ve loved Fiona’s artwork so much that we featured it on a four-page spread, including an exclusive interview, in our latest book, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Out of the Box — on sale now!
If you’re passionate about pioneering artists, Fiona’s work is available for sale on her website.
Take Your Own Step Out of the Box!Challenge yourself to get a little weird, try new things, and step out of your comfort zone with inspiration from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Out of the Box, available now on Amazon and at most major retailers.
By Stephanie Weaver, contributor for Ripleys.com
STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE Experience the stories of adventurers near and far, from a three-year-old mountain climber to hair-hangers and acrobats. Leave inspired by unbelievable talents, breathtaking bucket list-worthy locations, and curious discoveries, all from people just like you as you uncover the pages of Ripley’s newest annual book!
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October 8, 2021
Strumming Up Facts About John Lennon On His Would-Be Birthday
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Born as German bombs rained down on Liverpool, England, on October 9, 1940, John Lennon’s life was remarkable, if not controversial, from day one. Best known as the founder of The Beatles, who many claim, perhaps misguidedly, created rock-and-roll as we know it, Lennon became equally regarded for his hot takes on politics, religion, and even his own bandmates.
Throughout the forty-plus years since Lennon’s untimely death, his place in pop culture has morphed from beloved musician to god-like figure—a full-circle status for a man who once got himself into some hot water for proclaiming that The Beatles were “bigger than Jesus.”
In celebration of what would have been Lennon’s 81st birthday, we’re sharing some fun, quirky, and downright unbelievable facts about one of music’s most legendary personalities.
He was raised by his aunt, who discouraged him from pursuing music.After his parents separated when he was four years old, Lennon was sent to live at his Aunt Mimi’s house, where he spent his childhood getting into trouble, creating art, and developing a keen interest in music.
Though his father was absent in his life, Lennon would frequently visit his mother, Julia, who taught him how to play the banjo and bought him his first guitar behind her sister’s back. Mimi did not support his musical interests, famously telling him, “the guitar’s all very well, John, but you’ll never make a living out of it.”
On July 6, 1957, Lennon was playing a show with his skiffle band, The Quarrymen, when one of his bandmates’ friends rolled up on his bicycle, introducing himself as Paul McCartney.
Though McCartney was two years younger, the two quickly bonded over their love of music. McCartney taught Lennon how to tune a six-string guitar and joined the band only two weeks later, shortly before introducing Lennon to another friend—George Harrison.
By 1960, The Quarrymen had dropped a few members, picked up Ringo Starr, and changed their name to The Beatles.
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Lennon’s “Teddy Boy” antics got him kicked out of art school.By fall of that year, Lennon was splitting his attention between the band and attending Liverpool College of Art, where Aunt Mimi pulled some strings to get him in despite failing his exams.
A self-described Teddy Boy, Lennon wore the Edwardian-era style menswear, complete with drainpipe trousers and drape jackets, with an attitude to match. His wit and disruptive nature weren’t exactly welcomed in the classroom, resulting in Lennon spending a lot of time in detention, being excluded from classes, and ultimately being given the boot in his final year.
Though he didn’t leave with a diploma, he did leave with a serious girlfriend—Cynthia Powell, with whom he had a son.
Lennon had a violent streak and almost beat his close friend to death.Though he was transformed into a symbol of peace and love in the wake of his death, Lennon was no saint while living and was especially prone to violent outbursts in his younger years.
On June 18, 1963, Lennon attended McCartney’s 21st birthday party at the Cavern Club, where disc jockey and close friend of The Beatles, Bob Wooler, made a joke at Lennon’s expense. In a blind drunken rage, Lennon gave Wooler a brutal beating, kicking him in the ribs and hitting him with a stick as he lay stunned on the ground. According to Lennon, he stopped the attack because he realized he was going to kill him.
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This was no isolated incident, as Lennon didn’t reserve his outbursts for his friends. Lennon was known to have a nasty temper and became enraged with jealousy very easily, physically and verbally lashing out at his wife and young son.
Lennon acknowledged his violent history in a Playboy interview that took place two days before his death, saying, “I used to be cruel to my woman and physically… any woman. I was a hitter. I couldn’t express myself and I hit. I fought men and I hit women. That is why I am always on about peace, you see. It is the most violent people who go for love and peace… I am a violent man who has learned not to be violent and regrets his violence. I will have to be a lot older before I can face in public how I treated women as a youngster.”
Lennon’s son, Julian, was only five years old when his father left him and Powell after falling in love with Yoko Ono. Having experienced the dark side of Lennon firsthand, Julian has referred to his father as a hypocrite, saying, “Dad could talk about peace and love out loud to the world, but he could never show it to the people who supposedly meant the most to him: his wife and son.”
Lennon hated the sound of his own voice and was deeply dissatisfied with The Beatles’ records.Despite being consistently named one of the greatest singers and songwriters of all time, Lennon hated his voice and was extremely critical of his work with The Beatles.
Ever self-deprecating, Lennon would frequently double-track his vocals and ask producer George Martin if he could “smother it with tomato ketchup or something.”
One day in particular always stood out to Lennon as the day that ruined his voice—February 11, 1963. The Beatles spent the entire day recording 10 songs for their debut album, Please Please Me. At the end of the session, it was time to take on “Twist and Shout,” which Lennon said nearly killed him and his already-hoarse voice.
“My voice wasn’t the same for a long time after; every time I swallowed, it was like sandpaper. I was always bitterly ashamed of it because I could sing better than that.”
Lennon was so critical of The Beatles’ work that at one point, he told Martin he wanted to re-record every song they’d ever done, “especially Strawberry Fields.”
Lennon was a notoriously terrible driver.It should come as no surprise that the man who Martin said “couldn’t change a lightbulb” wouldn’t be great at operating a vehicle.
In 1969, just a few years after getting his license at the ripe old age of 25, Lennon panicked while driving in Scotland with Julian, Ono, and her daughter Kyoko, crashing his Austin Maxi in spectacular fashion.
Lennon, Ono, and Kyoko all ended up needing stitches on their faces, with Ono suffering a back injury as well. Julian was treated for shock but was otherwise unscathed in the accident.
After being released from the hospital five days later, Lennon told reporters, “If you’re going to have a car crash, try to arrange for it to happen in the Highlands. The hospital there was just great.”
All jokes aside, the event affected Lennon deeply and moved him to surrender his license once and for all.
Though he couldn’t drive it, he did keep his famous psychedelic Rolls Royce Phantom V until donating it to the Smithsonian Institution’s Cooper-Hewitt Museum in 1977 as a form of settlement for a $250,000 tax bill.
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The car remained at Cooper-Hewitt until 1985, when it was sold at auction to our very own Jim Pattinson for $2.29-million, making it the most expensive car in the world.
After being on display at various Ripley’s Believe it or Not museums, the car landed at the transportation-themed Expo ’86 in Vancouver before Pattinson donated it to the province of British Columbia in 1987. The car is now valued at $7 million.
Lennon’s Vietnam War protests landed him on Nixon’s Enemy List.Lennon was passionate about using his platform to bring awareness to issues he believed in, such as the need for America to end its war with Vietnam.
Capitalizing on their place in the pop culture zeitgeist, Lennon and Ono arranged their honeymoon as a “Bed-In for Peace,” during which they stayed in a bed at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel for a full week while giving the press the chance to ask questions between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. each day.
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Three months later, they performed another Bed-In, this time at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, during which the couple wrote the iconic protest anthem, “Give Peace A Chance.”
The Bed-Ins may not have changed any war policies, but it did get Lennon put on Nixon’s enemy list. When Lennon and Ono moved to the U.S. in 1971, Lennon unintentionally thrust himself into an ongoing battle with immigration services, which claimed their hesitation was due to a 1968 drug conviction.
After Lennon’s death, historian Jon Wiener filed for the FBI to declassify government documents revealing that the Nixon administration was directly responsible for Lennon’s constant threat of deportation in response to his anti-Vietnam views.
Lennon’s final concert appearance was the outcome of a lost bet with Elton John.After recording “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night” with Elton John in 1974, the pair made a bet with John saying the single would reach #1 in the U.S. and Lennon agreeing to do a performance with John at Madison Square Garden if he lost.
On November 16, 1974, the song topped the Hot 100 chart, setting the stage for Lennon to join John on stage only 12 days later for renditions of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “I Saw Her Standing There.” It was the last time Lennon ever performed in a concert setting.
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One of the last photos ever taken of Lennon alive was with his murderer.Perhaps the last photograph of John Lennon was taken on December 8, 1980, as he signed a copy of Double Fantasy for a fan. That fan just so happened to be Mark David Chapman, who would return to murder Lennon outside of his home in New York’s Upper West Side only five hours later.
Today in 1980, John Lennon was murdered after being shot five times by Mark David Chapman outside the building in NYC where John and Yoko lived. Last known pic of John alive with Mark, his assassin, to the right. #JohnLennon #TheBeatles #RIPJohnLennon #Legend pic.twitter.com/fQPLjnmqIe
— Rock History Pics (@RockHistoryPics) December 8, 2017
Lennon’s final words before Chapman shot four bullets into his back were in response to Ono asking him if he wanted to go out for dinner, to which he replied, “No, let’s go home because I want to see Sean (their son) before he goes to sleep.”
Rather than hosting an elaborate funeral to honor her famous husband, Ono quietly had Lennon’s body cremated and never disclosed where his ashes were scattered — although it was likely somewhere in New York’s Central Park.
And In The End…The world quickly caught wind of the public assassination, with masses flocking to his home to pay tribute to Lennon and the media portraying him through rose-colored glasses as a peace-loving family man who changed the world through music. As Paul McCartney put it in the ’80s, “Since his death, he’s become Martin Luther Lennon.”
Editorial credit: vergie azevedo / Shutterstock.com
In reality, Lennon was a walking contradiction and dynamic personality whose biting sense of humor, overload of talent, and distinct self-awareness turned a critic of idolization into one of the most worshipped musicians in the world.
“Everyone always talks about a good thing coming to an end, as if life was over. But I’ll be 40 when this interview comes out… we’re all relatively young people. The game isn’t over yet.” – John Lennon to Playboy, December 7, 1980.
By Meghan Yani, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!Source: Strumming Up Facts About John Lennon On His Would-Be Birthday
The Curse of Ötzi the Iceman
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
High in a remote area of the Ötztal Alps in northern Italy some 5,300 years ago, Ötzi the Iceman was shot in the back with an arrow. Struck in a main artery, he likely bled to death within minutes and was near-perfectly preserved in the ice. Ötzi has become one of the oldest and greatest mummy specimens in the world. So well preserved, perhaps, that he is still making his mark on the lives of those trying to tell his story…
The question: Is the Iceman cursed?
Ötzi’s Avalanche of VictimsÖtzi was first discovered in 1991 and quickly became a fascination for researchers, archeologists, and scientists. As research began, a shocking amount of people related to the finding of the famous mummy began to die premature deaths. The first: Rainer Henn in 1992.
Head of the forensic team examining Ötzi, Henn was one of the first people to make close contact with the Iceman — picking up the cadaver with his bare hands to place it in a body bag. Henn died in a car crash on his way to give a lecture about his findings.
This is just the beginning of the alleged curse…
Not long after, Kurt Fritz, the mountaineer who led Henn to Ötzi’s body, died in an avalanche. An experienced climber who knew the area well, Fritz was the only member of his party to be struck.
A few months after Fritz’s passing, the only man granted access to film Otzi’s removal from the mountain, Austrian journalist Rainer Hoelzl, died at age 47 of a brain tumor — only months after releasing an hour-long documentary of the excavation.
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But perhaps the creepiest death of all was that of Helmut Simon.
Simon was one of the German tourists who originally found Ötzi in 1991 — he was also found dead, frozen in ice near the same spot in 2004. He had fallen to his death during a freak blizzard. Within an hour of Simon’s funeral, Dieter Warnecke, the head of the mountain rescue team sent to find him, died of a heart attack.
It doesn’t end there…The following year, archeologist Konrad Spindler, who first inspected Ötzi’s remains and publicly scoffed at the curse — declaring, “It is all a media hype. The next thing you will be saying I will be next.” — died of complications from multiple sclerosis.
Lastly, Dr. Tom Loy. Loy carried out a DNA analysis on Ötzi, piecing together the Stone Age story of his death and debunking the theory that he died alone thanks to trace elements of human blood found on his clothes. The discovery was groundbreaking, and Loy was on the cusp of finishing a book about it when he was found dead in his Brisbane home at the age of 63.
Loy did not believe in the curse either — taking a very scientific approach to a peculiar pattern, much like his colleagues. But at 63, in fair health, and one of seven, it’s fair to raise an eyebrow. However, the truth is, it’s easy to create patterns when you are looking for them. Many other scientists, journalists, photographers, and others have studied Ötzi and gone on to live full lives.
Alas, the legend continues and these days, Ötzi the Iceman rests in a refrigerated room at the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum in Bolzano, Italy. He attracts about 300,000 visitors a year.
Do you dare to put the curse to the test and visit yourself — possibly becoming victim number eight of the Iceman curse? Learn about Ötzi through the pages of Ripley’s latest annual, Out of the Box.
STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE Experience the stories of adventurers near and far, from a three-year-old mountain climber to hair-hangers and acrobats. Leave inspired by unbelievable talents, breathtaking bucket list-worthy locations, and curious discoveries, all from people just like you as you uncover the pages of Ripley’s newest annual book!Source: The Curse of Ötzi the Iceman
Freaky Three-Eyed Dinosaur Shrimp Emerge from Arizona Desert
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Visitors at Arizona’s Wupatki National Monument were in for a spooky surprise this week when torrential rain summoned hundreds of creepy three-eyed critters from the great beyond.
It took a doozy of a summer storm for hundreds of Triops, described as “mini-horseshoe crabs with three eyes,” to hatch and take a dip in the pop-up lake in the northern Arizona desert.
At only one and a half inches long, what Triops lack in size, they make up for in quirkiness. These tiny “dinosaur shrimp” reside in the desert, where they can lie dormant for decades on end until there’s a strong enough monsoon to bring them to life in the temporary waters.
They emerge from their eggs sporting tiny carapaces that resemble a helmet, with two large compound eyes and a smaller simple photoreceptor eye between them, which helps them detect light.
Tadpoles or Triops?It’s not every day that Triops appear in the wild; in fact, it’s so rare that staff didn’t even know what to make of tourists’ reports of a tadpole sighting in the monument’s historic ball court following a downpour in July.
According to the monument’s lead interpretation ranger, Lauren Carter, the reports initially led staff to wonder if the toads that live in burrows beneath the desert had seized the opportunity to lay eggs while the ground was wet.
Upon investigating the ceremonial ball court, a walled circular area built by Wupatki’s Indigenous people, she realized they weren’t dealing with tiny toads at all, but rather something much more interesting!
After scooping one of the tiny relics in her hand, she recalled reports of Triops at her previous position in northeastern Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park and searched online to confirm her suspicions.
Older Than DinosaursThough the three-eyed crustaceans’ ancestors evolved about 400 million years ago during the Devonian period, long before dinosaurs roamed the earth, these “dinosaur shrimp” cannot quite be considered “living fossils,” like their horseshoe crab comparisons. While their appearance hasn’t changed over the years, they have evolved into two different genera, Triops and Lepidurus, with the type discovered at Wupatki falling under Triops longicaudatus, which are found in the temporary freshwater ponds of North, Central, and South America.
A Miraculous HappeningThe 5 inches of rain Wupatki experienced in late July was truly incredible, considering the area typically gets around 9 inches of rain each year, with 2020’s total rainfall coming in at a dismal 4 inches.
The Triops rose to the occasion during these two weeks, likely taking mere hours for the helmet heads to hatch and begin filter feeding before cycling through several molts in just a week’s time before starting the next cycle of reproduction.
You may want to hold off before booking the next flight out to Wupatki to catch a glimpse of these ancient marvels. Triops take a long time to make their way to the world, but once they’re here, they live fast and die young, only surviving for up to 90 days — with this batch only making it for three to four weeks before ravens and nighthawks swooped down to decimate the population.
We guess we’ll catch the next generation in another few decades!
By Meghan Yani, contributor for Ripleys.com
THE STRANGEST STORIES OF THE YEAR Now that you’ve read the strangest stories of the week, how about the strangest stories of the year? Ripley’s all-new annual is an all-true collection of incredible facts, unexpected stories, and stunning photography!Source: Freaky Three-Eyed Dinosaur Shrimp Emerge from Arizona Desert
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