Marlene Wagman-Geller

"As far back as I can remember, it was always on my bucket list, even before the term bucket list was coined,
to be a writer. It was a natural progression to want to go from reading books to writing one."
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Beggar Woman (1584)

Beggar Woman (1584)
Jan 14, 2022 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
 When people think of the state of Virginia, they might associate it with the legendary Pocahontas, its slogan, “Virginia is for lovers,” or its state motto, “Sic semper tyrannis.” But why did a British explorer name Virginia after a British queen who never set foot in the New World?

Dr. Faustus (1846)

Dr. Faustus (1846)
Jan 08, 2022 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
 The Smithsonian is America’s greatest treasure chest, filled with 150 million precious artifacts. Ironically, its creation did not come from a president or a patriot; rather, the scientist who willed the museum into existence, James Smithson, never set foot in the United States. 

A Bull Moose          (1903)

A Bull Moose          (1903)
Dec 26, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
 A cherished childhood companion, the teddy bear is ubiquitous in cribs, birthday parties, and Valentine gifts. But who was Teddy and why a bear? The classic’s birth was due to a convergence of events far afield from those of youthful innocence. 

Remembrance of Things Past (1804)

Remembrance of Things Past (1804)
Dec 14, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
Millions of visitors stroll through Paris’ Cimetière du Pére Lachaise, (Père Lachaise Cemetery), to view the final resting place of history’s most distinguished. Lost in the extensive grounds is the memory of the man for whom the necropolis is named.  

Camelot (1963)

Camelot (1963)
Dec 08, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller

Arguably, the world’s most famous footage is the Zapruder film that captured President John F. Kennedy’s final moments. Although millions are familiar with Abraham Zapruder’s movie, lost in the annals of the assassination is the man behind the camera.

Remain Silent         (1966)

Remain Silent         (1966)
Nov 30, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
If you are a fan of television crime shows, or have been under arrest, you probably are familiar with the Miranda Warning. But what of the man who had the dubious distinction of having such a ruling named after him?

No Black Sheep (1974)

No Black Sheep (1974)
Nov 21, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
In the 2008 film, Wall-E, a lonely robot on a post-apocalyptic Earth collects remnants from its vanished inhabitants, one of which is a Rubik’s Cube. Although millions are familiar with the classic puzzle, its reclusive creator, Erno Rubik, remains elusive. 

So Long Lives This (1889)

So Long Lives This (1889)
Nov 12, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
 Towering 1,000 feet above Paris, the Eiffel Tower antithetically encompasses the darkest chapter of history, the essence of romance. Despite attracting millions of tourists each year, the monument has dwarfed the man who willed it into existence. 

Forever in Blue Jeans (1873)

Forever in Blue Jeans (1873)
Nov 04, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
 The cry, “There’s gold in them thar hills!” served as the clarion call that drew thousands to California. While some prospector’s gained wealth, Levi Strauss attained immortality by putting his name on the backsides of the world.

Messenger Boy (1844)

Messenger Boy (1844)
Oct 24, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
Popular belief holds that Jack Dorsey was the founding father of social media when he created Twitter in 2006. However, instant long-distance communication began two centuries earlier when Samuel Morse instituted history’s most famous code.   

Auf Wiedersehen (1948)

Auf Wiedersehen (1948)
Oct 17, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
    The Porsche serves as status symbol for Russian oligarchs, Beverley Hills plastic surgeons, European aristocrats, and anyone else with the need for speed- as well as $125,000 to burn. But behind the allure lurks a father and son who rose to greatness on the coattail of evil.

No Time to Die  (1953)

No Time to Die  (1953)
Oct 08, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
Bond. James Bond. While people the world over are familiar with the world-famous spy, what is far less known is that Ian Fleming based his protagonist’s name on an esteemed birdman. 

Six Grandfathers (1941)

Six Grandfathers (1941)
Oct 03, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
The genesis of social media occurred in 1844 when Samuel Morse sent the world’s first telegram with the words, “What hath God wrought?” The sentiment is echoed by the two million annual visions to Mt. Rushmore, the contemporary wonder of the world. However, many are not aware of the connection between the monolith and its namesake. 

“They’re Grrrrrreat!” (1930)

“They’re Grrrrrreat!” (1930)
Sep 26, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
In the television series Seinfeld, Jerry stacked his kitchen shelves with cereal, ordered Cheerios at Monk’s Coffee Shop, said it was what he would miss most in prison. He stated of its appeal, “I like the idea of just eating and drinking with one hand without looking.” If Jerry had contemplated the genesis of his breakfast of champions, he would have discovered that W. K. Kellogg’s life had more than its share of snap, crackle, and pop. 

“Think Different” (2003)

“Think Different” (2003)
Sep 19, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
Tesla, the electric car, is a household name. In the nineteenth century, so was Nikola Tesla.  The genius’s star disappeared into the night sky until a modern-day visionary resurrected his life. 

Nothing Very Bad (1837)

Nothing Very Bad (1837)
Sep 12, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
Pandora’s Box unleased all the evils into the world, but a robin egg-colored blue box holds treasures of exquisite craftmanship. Although Tiffany’s is an icon, its founder remains a shadowy presence.

A Tarnished Reputation (1943)

A Tarnished Reputation (1943)
Sep 04, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
What’s blue and gold, serves meatballs, and is the size of five football fields? If you guessed IKEA you are correct, though you might not be able to decern the acronym behind the Swedish juggernaut’s name. The founder of the emporium christened it after his initials and his childhood home: I for Ingvar, K for Kamprad, E for Elmtaryd, his family’s farm, A for Agunnaryd, his village. Behind the do-it-yourself furniture is the tale of the man who could well have merited inclusion in a Reader’s Digest column, “The Most Unforgettable Character.” 

The Revenge of the Nerd (1995)

The Revenge of the Nerd (1995)
Aug 29, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
Prior to the 1990s, a list was something Santa checked twice, made Schindler a hero of the Holocaust, a reminder of what to purchase at the grocery store. The contemporary one is where an individual searches for a pet, a one-night stand, a lasting love. But who is the guru behind Craigslist? 

Buzz Off (1984)

Buzz Off (1984)
Aug 21, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
Prior to the year Orwell was made infamous with his dystopian novel, bees sweetened our tea, provided the lead singer of the Police with his name, were part of “the talk” that explained how babies originated. A new dimension to the pollen perpetrator arrived with the elderly recluse whose grizzled visage appears on all Burt Bees’ honey-hued packaging. 

The Bitter and the Sweet    (1900)

The Bitter and the Sweet    (1900)
Aug 08, 2021 by Marlene Wagman-Geller
   In 1972, Sammy Davis Jr. crooned, “The Candy Man makes everything he bakes/ Satisfying and delicious.” Although millions delight in the endorphin-producing chocolate, many are unaware of the story of the real-life Willie Wonka. 

Copyright © Marlene Wagman-Geller.

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