EPISODES #18 AND #19: Explore the history of Hong Kong and its public transportation as we delve into the movie Love Is a Many Splendored Thing and the bestseller book that preceded it. In Part 1, we start with the movie and then look at Hong Kong's history and explosive population growth before discussing public transportation. In Part 2, we delve…

EPISODES #18 AND #19: Explore the history of Hong Kong and its public transportation as we delve into the movie Love Is a Many Splendored Thing and the bestseller book that preceded it. In Part 1, we start with the movie and then look at Hong Kong's history and explosive population growth before discussing public transportation. In Part 2, we delve…

The story of the gondolas of Medellin, Columbia, is the history of Medellin itself. We explore how Medellin went from Spanish colonial mining town to industrial city and then, via building a robust public transportation system - and in particular the gondolas - Medellin transformed itself from a murder capital to a tourist-magnet destination. Medel…

In this episode, we cover You’ve Got Mail, a film from 1998 set in Manhattan, in New York City. The movie features Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan as the romantic leads, who, as in many a romantic comedy, loathe each other before realize they are in love. Supporting actors shine brightly and they include Jean Stapleton, Dabney Coleman, Parker Posey, Dave Ch…

We are exploring in a three-episode series two First Ladies, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lady Bird Johnson, who made their marks in the 1960s and 70s. Warning: We will be discussing some matters in these three episodes that could be upsetting or inappropriate for children or individuals with triggers due to mentions of violence or inappropriate …

We are exploring in a three-episode series two First Ladies, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lady Bird Johnson, who made their marks in the 1960s and 70s. Warning: We will be discussing some matters in these three episodes that could be upsetting or inappropriate for children or individuals with triggers due to mentions of violence or inappropriate …

We are exploring in a three-episode series two First Ladies, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lady Bird Johnson, who made their marks in the 1960s and 70s. Warning: We will be discussing some matters in these three episodes that could be upsetting or inappropriate for children or individuals with triggers due to mentions of violence or inappropriate …

Episode 12 Movies - West Side Story – Original movie made in 1961 & remake made in 2021 These two movie versions of West Side Story offer poverty, gangs, and a disappearing neighborhood as a backdrop for beautiful retellings of Romeo and Juliet. But these films are also excellent prisms through which to view attitudes about city neighborhoods and u…

Because of all the twists and turns before Moynihan Train Hall was finally built, there is lots of repetition in this episode about delays, plans and funding looking good before hitting a wall, and outsize personalities putting themselves ahead of the public good. This is a long episode! In episodes 10 and 11, we dive into the history of Moynihan T…

In episodes 10 and 11, we dive into the history of Moynihan Train Hall or, as it’s actually known, Moynihan Station. We cover: A very brief history of the original Penn or Pennsylvania Station in NYC and its destruction. History of the building in which Moynihan Train Hall is situated and its original purpose. Who was Daniel Patrick Moynihan that w…

While discussing our two movies – The Fugitive, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – we'll talk about the Chicago River, the bridges, the L, and parades made famous in those movies. So lots of fun stuff in this episode. A very quick rundown of these movies: The Fugitive is an excellent film, a thriller mystery, from 1993 starring Harrison Ford and Tommy …

Notes for episodes 7 and 8 American College and University Campus In episodes 7 and 8, we look at the history of the American college and university campus from the commencement of British American settlement through modern times. The open and public spaces of campuses, as well as the design of buildings and overall layouts, reflect societal trends…

Notes - Episodes 5 and 6 Colleges and common space In episodes 5 and 6, we look at the history of the American college and university campus from the commencement of British American settlement through modern times. The open and public spaces of campuses, as well as the design of buildings and overall layouts, reflect societal trends, philosophies,…

Resources Movie Roman Holiday, Wikipedia (Updated Oct. 9, 2022) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Holiday Maksym Chornyi, Roman Holiday' Filming Locations, Follow Your Passionated Movies (Nov. 16, 2019) - https://www.recenzent.org.ua/roman-holiday-filming-locations/ Mark Cartwright, The Arch of Septimius Severus, Rome, World History Encyclopedi…

Our foundational texts, legends and tales have a lot to tell us about ourselves and how we as a society see the world. We have inherited a particular tradition that views good and bad – or evil – in ways that give transportation, design of public spaces, and even the prospect of grave danger to our planet, a free pass. I’m going to do a grave injus…

Notes for Episodes 4 & 5: Blaise Pascal and the First Modern Omnibus Transit Network Episodes 4 dives deep into the life of Blaise Pascal. In Episodes 5, we look at Pascal's friend, colleague, and benefactor, Artus Gouffier (the Duc de Roannez) and we discuss the omnibus system that the two friends created. Sources for more information: Please note…

Notes for Episodes 4 & 5: Blaise Pascal and the First Modern Omnibus Transit Network Episodes 4 dives deep into the life of Blaise Pascal. In Episodes 5, we look at Pascal's friend, colleague, and benefactor, Artus Gouffier (the Duc de Roannez) and we discuss the omnibus system that the two friends created. Sources for more information: Please note…

Episode 2: Funiculars In this episode, we define the term funicular and quickly delve into its history, with odd characters, wealthy businessmen, and marketing gurus along the way. We also talk about where funiculars can be found today as well as many that only exist in the pages of history. What is a funicular? Basically, a funicular is one of a p…

Poetry on Transit is a story that starts with American moxie, in combination with quality British public transportation and literature. Poetry on transit begins with a native Brooklynite, who was living in London and sitting around a table with a group of friends. The idea was embraced by the London Underground and soon spread in Europe and across …

First ladies, odd 17th century Frenchmen, and quirky old transportation modes still in use are just a few topics mentioned as we preview Altered Mobility, a podcast about the history of public spaces and publicly available transportation.By Sheryl Gross-Glaser