Banvard's folly
thirteen tales of renowned obscurity, famous anonymity, and rotten luck
by Collins, Paul · first published 2001
3mentions
2recommended by
2HN commenters
2017–2020first – last mentioned
100% recommend
Profiles thirteen scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, adventurers, and writers who once basked in glory, but faded into obscurity due to failed experiments, bad luck, and the signs of madness.
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…having to speak their mind instead of beating around the bush :) But if you are interested in universal languages, I suggest you to check out Sol-re-sol [1]. I have read the story in Paul Collins' "Banvard's Folly" and have been fascinated by it ever since. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solresol
on “Ask HN: What tech were you convinced would take the world by storm but didn't?” ↗I can mildly recommend "Banvard's Folly: Thirteen Tales of People Who Didn't Change the World" by Paul Collins, that includes a chapter on N rays, and is mentioned in this article. I don't love Collin's writing style, but the stories are as…
on “N-Rays: The Imaginary Radiation That Ruined Its ‘Discoverer’ (2014)” ↗Augustus Pleasonton[1] must be dancing in his grave (although his money was on blue light being best.) (I learnt about him from "Banvard's Folly" by Paul Collins, a book I highly recommend if you can find it.) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Pleasonton
on “The convincing science of light therapy” ↗