A Brief History of The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building ( www. esbnyc. com ) has a rich history copious with fascinating elements. In its opening, the Empire State Building was visualized as a contender in a fray with the 40 Wall Street Building and the Chrysler Building. The driving stimulus in this competition was the prestige of being the explorer of the tallest and fastest built skyscraper in the world.

The construction of the 40 Wall Way Building began in 1929, partly a future later the groundbreaking of the Chrysler Building. Originally, it was proposed that the finished height would be 840 feet, two terminus taller than the Chrysler Building. However, in an one's darnedest to combat apportionment last minute revisions on the part of the Chrysler squad, the 40 Wall Road architects decided to add an supplementary three stories, bringing the finished project to 927 feet. Upon execution in April of 1930, the 40 Wall Road Building was successfully dubbed the tallest building.

This accomplishment was thwarted right now attached, by the Chrysler Buildings unveiling. In an underhanded scheme to win, tycoon Walter Chrysler had his claim to glory erected atop his massive structure; a 125 - foot stainless steel spire, creating a total height of 1, 048 feet. Feeling satisfied that his victory could not be surpassed; Walter Chrysler concluded construction calling it a complete success.

Much to Chryslers shock and dismay, the 1250 - foot - high Empire State Building materialized in May 1930, a mere 14 months after the projects commencement. An exploit which not only shattered his buildings height record, but also broke records for the time necessary to complete such a structure. The Empire State Building would retain its status as the world ' s tallest building until the completion of the World Trade Center ' s North Tower in 1971. However, the status was returned to the Empire State Building following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. A dark day in the Empire State Buildings history and the history of the entire nation, September 11th devastated much of New York, including the World Trade Center.

Situated in the heart of New York ' s Garment District, this amazing landmark welcomes millions of visitors from all over the world each year, including many from its own neighborhood. With easy access by public transportation and a convenient location, merely ten blocks from Times Square, this destination is perfect for virtually anyone.

This beautifully designed skyscraper is home many spectacular sights and exhibits. The sophisticated Empire Room can be found in what was once the postal substation on the ground floor. This 3500 - square - foot art deco cocktail lounge radiates 1920s appeal and style reminiscent of a simpler time and place. On the next floor visitors may ride the one of a kind New York Sky Ride, a virtual tour above the entire city offering a unique perspective of nearly three dozen famous landmarks, all in climate - controlled comfort. Still some prefer a more authentic experience.

The Empire State Building features two magnificent observatories. On clear days, the breath - taking view extends up to 80 miles. From either of the glorious observatories, parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as most of New York itself, are visible. The 82nd floor observatory is an incredible 1, 050 feet off the ground, while the 102nd floor observatory soars 1, 250 feet above the city. Although each offers 360 degree, panoramic views from an outdoor deck, as well as indoor viewing galleries, the 102nd floor area offers a more intimate setting which features a view far beyond compare.

The Empire State Building ' s history is filled with intrigue and wonder. It is undeniably one of the most significant man - made structures ever constructed. Since its opening, it has welcomed millions of spectators from all over the world. The magnitude of the Empire State Building could never be reproduced in the same way. It is a one of a kind structure and a symbol of American architecture.

A Brief History of the Mayan Culture

The Mayan civilization was the height of pre - Columbian culture. They made eloquent discoveries in science, including the profit of the zero in mathematics. Their writing was the only in America capable of valid all types of reasoning. Glyphs either stage syllables or integral concepts and were written on long strips of paper or carved and painted n stone. They are arranged to be read from alone to upright and top to bottom in pairs of columns. The Mayan calendar begins around 3114 BC. They could measure time hearty into the fated. They wrote detailed histories and used their calendar to predict the future and astrological events. Fray Diego de Landa, second bishop of the Yucatan ordered a mass destruction of Mayan books in 1562 and only three survived.

Most artistic and cultural achievement came about during the Classic period 300 900 AD. The Mayans developed a complex hierarchical society divided into classes and professions. Centralized governments, headed by a king, and ruled territories with clearly defined boundaries. These borders changed as the various states lost and gained control over territory. Mayan centers flourished in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. The major cities of the Classic period were Guatemala, Chiapas, Mexico, and Honduras. For most of this period, the majority of the Mayans population lived in the central lowlands of Mexico and Belize.

The Mayan culture, beginning in Central America hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, became the first highly developed civilization in the Western Hemisphere. The May, as early as 600 BC, had developed a sophisticated calendar, a system of picture writing, a style of architecture, sculpture and metalwork, as well as a highly organized government. Without question, the Maya greatly influenced the later development of Latin America.

Teotihuacan that controlled the Mexican highlands from the first to the seventh centuries also influenced the Maya. The Mayan golden age lasted five centuries from 300 to 800 AD. Then, they stopped building temples, declined and became fragmented in competing states that were easy prey for invading forces from the north such as the Toltec, which had been expelled from Tula around the end of the 10th century. The Toltec ' s became the ruling elite of the Maya in the post classic period. Toltec gods were added to the Maya pantheon but the Toltec ' s were absorbed as they leaned to speak Yucatec Maya. All in all a marvelous and fascinating history.

A History Of The World In 100 Objects - Book Review

Part Neil MacGregor ' s work where he studies the History of the World in 100 Objects. That ' s hold water, the director of the British Museum out - minimalized the super - minimalists, who thinks blank of showdown the fewest arguments or gadgets available to test a point. It ' s not unlike motorcycle historians who smartly papule that particular branch of motoring into " petrol " and " non - petrol, " with " unaffected " motorcycles as having a four - stroke " petrol " mechanism and the rest of the world objective pretenders.

That they have forgotten the seminal work of Roper and Copeland, as able-bodied as Michaud, the use who made the motorcycle possible when he realized that two wheels of the twin size and a heartfelt semanship fork are imperative for defended two - wheeling. Ultimately the contributions of these men are neatly glossed over.

However MacGregor ' s history works to an astonishing degree. If you look at the firm examples he uses to back up his thesis, it is not as bizarre an thought as one might fancy.

Catching the many shards of and clay pots establish in the ancients city - states that were built on earlier cities as they scarlet from the plains of the Indus or Ganges rivers. The pot here or the pellet expert that connects the dots to the pots in the holds of Phoenician traders who spread their culture across the ancient world. It shows that, while many in the historical establishment look down their rather long pince nez glasses at a " popular historian " like MacGregor, they cannot escape the fact that he ' s often right.

For example, the great statuary of the Greeks and their temples - one idea or two, the choice is yours; MacGregor would likely think they are linked as they define the period of Greek history in which they appeared, as well as for the millennium to follow, even through the rise of Persia and Syracuse and the Romans.

The Romans took the flower of Greek thinking and overlayed it on their " Republic, " Aristotelian or Euclidean thought and objects to produce an empire that did last nearly 1, 000 years and even survived a period of 100 Caesars in 100 years. The refinement of the Greek school of art and its advancement and morphing under Rome, along with the perfection of thought and the invention of the " sciences " of " history " and " sociology " and the strictures that they exposed are just two more examples of the direction of history.

The development and perfection of illumination by the Church and the many Holy Scribes and monks whose work each day was a page, if they were lucky, saved many of the great early works of man and our history. Illumination and the art of penmanship were two more objects along the way which strongly defined the direction of history and thought and all one has to do is look at them to know their means.

The real revolution comes with the introduction to the West of moveable type of the 15th Century invention of the printing press where, at once, thought could be made available to the masses, not just the nobility. What a concept, the masses learning to read and knowing as much as their " betters. " That invention, in itself, and the revolution in though that spun off of it shows that MacGregor is quite right. If you look at the history of the west, it can be defined by 100 distinct objects, including such silly - looking objects as the king ' s throne made of hunting rifles.

Right there you have two engines of domination, the rifle with which the nobility could shoot their fill and still subjugate the local populace. In the wrong hands, though, history took another turn, didn ' t it? Imagine the combination of the cannon, rifle and printing press and you have all of the makings of even more revolution.

Then add in the " mechanical muscle " provided by the waterwheel and Canals which helped to speed the spread of thought. Of course, this led to experimentation in other areas such as those of Faraday and Morse and the invention of the telegram so that the world was instantly smaller.

That, in turn, led to more sophisticated printing plants and electronics, computers, the Internet and Worldwide Web.

Each, if you look closely at it, is merely an outgrowth of earlier work that was built on one or two elements of an earlier period. This is why the entertaining and witty MacGregor ' s work, an Amazon Best Book, works so well. It shows that, indeed, the history of western thought and man can be defined by just 100 objects.

It may look like a real stretch when you first crack the back of the book - yes real print and books - although sometimes you are limited to an eReader versions ( there ' s just something missing ) - but it ' s not as MacGregor shows why he is considered one of the wittiest and insightful historians of his generation. It ' s an interesting theory that he carries off.

A Brief History Of Voodoo Witchcraft

Voodoo ( or Vodou ) is uttered to have originated within the ancient African and Native American cultures, where the shamans, or the female oracles, conducted their rituals to clinch their spirit followed the path of their Totem, and could clamp with him once the body common to earth.

Before a person may become a shaman or sibyl of their quarter, it was important that the spirits were able to enter the body, and that the body was heavy enough to withstand the faculty that came from most. The rituals were a district affair, with dancing and singing gone the important choices the leaders had to make. If the insightful person proved their strength, then they alone antsy the letters that their Holy spirit wanted them to be passed on to the King and the rest of the villagers. To be a shaman or an sibyl, lengthy restraint is placed upon that person. Closest their initiation receipt, they itch be on hand to link to the spirits of their world at fragment time.

For the augur or shaman to take in the messages, they charge introductory be aware that nature has a spirit, and existent contained in the world occasion be treated with tribute, impartial as they would wish to be treated. People from Voodoo cultures believed that the spirits of the ancestors remained on the land to go between themselves and the afterlife. In Native American Voodoo, these ancestors are known as Kachinas. Many were afraid that if they angered the spirits, then their lives may take a turn for the worse, and so they followed the strict laws and customs from their wise person.

Healing was a main function in the African and Native American cultures where Voodoo was practiced. In order to gain the spiritual knowledge for healing, the Voodoo wiseman must enter a trance - like state, before listening and watching for images pertaining to the questions. This trance - like state was achieved through their lifestyle, often using herbs, music, fasting, or meditation to improve their abilities in allowing the spirits to use their bodies. The messages are received, and then the healing rituals can begin, with the use of charms, fetishes or dolls, or simple administration of natural elements to the individuals.

Being able to heal the sick was a main point of reverence in the wise, as they had to have the strongest spiritual influences to both diagnose the condition, and also the knowledge to prescribe the items needed to cure the individual.

Voodoo, while this practice stems from African and Native American shamanism, most often it is linked with New Orleans, a French colony situated in Southeastern Louisiana. New Orleans was originally a city brought about through the slave trade, with people from all over the world making up its population. Stories circulated from the slave trips of demons and spirits, and gradually a new culture was passed down from the foreign ancestors that mirrored their ancient lifestyles.

The lives of those who believe in and practice voodoo are greatly led by the superstitions and notions that are prevalent in the community. They place their trusts in the spirits, and in the nature around them to treat them with respect, providing they follow simple tasks. Have you ever stepped over cracks in the pavement, or refused to look in a cracked mirror? Even sometimes throwing salt over your left shoulder after you ' ve spilled it? These quirks are very much a part of the ancient voodoo curses of Africa, Native American practices, and also Catholicism, which was making its way across America at that time.

The voodoo priests and priestesses of New Orleans have many practices they follow, from their use of dispensing herb pouches for illnesses, or for the creation of voodoo dolls. The voodoo doll has many different uses in other cultures, but for the people of New Orleans it was said to be used for retribution purposes, or for the healing of the customer when they cannot give their time for long periods. The doll is usually a cloth figure, with a part of the user ( such as a lock of hair, or a piece of clothing ) to ensure that the figure is securely linked. The ritual taking place can then continue without the target present, and the effects can be witnessed either immediately, or a few days after.

The voodoo doll has also been used to send messages to the spirit world, either to be sent on to another person, to ask for guidance, or to give thanks for the life they lead, to ensure that nature rewards them.

During the time when many people converted to Catholicism, Voodoo was seen as an attack on their faith, and practitioners were forced underground, although many still attended Mass as they had done previously. Many of these underground Voodoo practices began to include Catholic references, such as signs of the cross, or praying to the Gods and saints of their religion.

The Catholic church decided that Voodoo was not a threat to their church, and that it is possible to live harmoniously with the two religions together. This mix of religion has not diminished throughout the ages, and New Orleans remains a large voodoo capital today.

A History of Digital Radiography

Although Peck - rays have been in existence since the early 1900s, digital radiography has only been around since 1970. However, since that time, digital radiography has been implemented into more and more big and stunted hospitals, imaging centers and medical facilities an in many areas of specialization. Popular imaging systems in mobilization today interject the CR and DR systems.

CR, or computed radiography, uses an imaging cassette of phosphor to invent digital images, and DR systems, or direct digital radiography, uses a collection plate for spit capture. DR systems are currently in point as urgent anxiety DR, veterinary DR, chiropractic DR and podiatry DR units. These two systems, along with related hardware and software units allying as the DICOM digital format, PACS and RIS, have brought many medical facilities up to the modern age with state - of - the - art digital radiography capabilities.

Much of the early medical digital radiography inventions and applications occurred at around the same time as personal computers became more affordable and thus more commonplace. The first digital imaging application was the invention of the CT, or computed tomography scanner, in 1967, and which became a prototype in 1971. Its inventors, Godfrey Hounsfield and Allan McLeod Cormack, won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their invention in 1979. Television technology also paralleled medical technological innovation with the switch from analog to digital capabilities.

MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, originated in the 1950s. Early research on the method was conducted in the 1970s and finally it was cleared for use on humans in 1984.

In the 1990s, a shift in digital radiography was made. X - ray images, it was discovered, could be stored on phosphor screens, and this formed the basis of today ' s CR imaging systems.

Complementary PACS systems had their debut in 1982, although the idea was conceived over twenty years earlier. When the Internet became a worldwide actuality in the mid - 1980s, it also had a major impact on digital radiography. Today ' s digital medical images that are saved in the DICOM imaging format, similar to the common JPEG format, can be stored on a server for archival purposes, can be viewed on a personal computer outfitted with PACS software and a diagnostic monitor that turns it into a clinical workstation, and can be sent and received via the World Wide Web.

In the last decade, as the price of personal computers and other electronic devices has dropped significantly, and so too has the cost effectiveness of digital medical imaging increased, making digital radiography an affordable and modern alternative from its humble beginnings in film - based X - ray systems.

A Brief History Of Women In The U. s. Military

Deborah Sampson was the cardinal American woman champion. Cupcake enlisted in the Continental Scores during the American Revolutionary. Seeing women were not eligible to enlist in the military at that time, Sampson buried herself as a man. Sampson joined the Polished Infantry Company of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment and fought in several battles sustaining two injuries including two musket balls in her thigh that virgin cut out herself since as not to tell her undesigning identity to share doctors.

Successive succeeding doll recovered from her musket ball injuries Sampson was promoted and spent several months as a waiter to General John Patterson. Then in the summer of 1783 Sampson suffered a bout of malignant fever and was cared for by Dr. Barnabus Binney, who discovered her fitting personality, which he kept a secret through her recovery.

Alongside her recovery Dr. Binney sent Sampson to General George Washington to deliver a note, which Sampson knew carried her secret. General Washington read the note and gave Sampson an honorable discharge from the scores at West Point, some advice and filthy lucre to prompt home. Dr. George Washington issued her an honorable discharge. In all Sampson served a ticks and a half in the military.

Senescence succeeding Sampson successfully campaigned publicly to obtain a pension from the U. S. Swarm for her service. Her fruition bridged the gender gap in veterans benefits for many years to come.

Another early record of the desire to allow women to enlist in the military came in 1898 in a letter to President William McKinley from Annie Oakley. Oakley was a famed exhibition shooter, sharpshooter and star in the Buffalo Bill Show. In her letter to President McKinley she " offering the government the services of a company of 50 ' lady sharpshooters ' who would provide their own arms and ammunition should war break out with Spain. The Spanish - American War did occur, but Oakley ' s offer was not accepted.

In 1941 U. S. government established The Womans Army Auxiliary Corps to create more roles for women in the American Armed Forces; however, political pressures waylaid the Corps efforts until 1943 when the Womans Naval Reserve and Marine Corps Womens Reserves were created during World War II. At this time the word auxiliary was also removed making the aforementioned Womans Army Auxiliary Corps an official part of the U. S. Army.

During World War II, women first saw combat as nurses in the Pearl Harbor attacks on December 7, 1941. In all, there were 350, 000 American women served during World War Two; 16 were killed in action; and 1, 500 medals, citations and commendations were handed out including the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest combat award, which was given to Virginia Hall, who landed in occupied territory aboard a British Motor Torpedo Boat.

After World War II most women serving in the military returned to civilian life. In 1948 President Harry Truman signed the Womens Armed Services Act allowing women to serve in the armed forces in fully integrated units during peace time.

During the Korean War between 1950 and 1953, 120, 000 women served. Though records are unclear, women also served in the Vietnam War women in the Air Force and as medical personnel and support staff.

Through the 1980s hundreds of women participated in the various operations, including Grenada and Panama. In 1989, Capt Linda L. Bray, 29, became the first woman to command American soldiers in battle, during the invasion of Panama. But it wasnt until the 1990s that the pivotal time for women in the U. S. Armed Forces arrived.

In 1991 during the first Gulf War the role of women in the U. S. Armed Forces came to the attention of the world media when it was revealed more than 40, 000 women served in almost every role the armed forces had to offer. Though there are many reports to the contrary, women were not permitted to participate in deliberate ground engagements.

Today, women can serve in combat including in command roles but are not allowed to serve on submarines or to participate in Special Forces programs such as the Navy Seals. Enlisted women soldiers are also restricted from serving in Infantry, Special Operations, Artillery, Armor, and Forward Air Defense, but can hold staff positions. Women can fly military aircraft and make up 2 % of all pilots in the U. S. Military. As of now there are approximately 50, 000 women serving in Afghanistan and Iraq; women make up approximately 15 percent of the U. S. Army.

A History of Building Materials

The beginning material we will jaw is the earth itself - in the construction of rock, mud, clay, etc. Earth is the oldest and most basic building material, and obviously one of the cheapest, coming straight from the earth! Rock is one of the strongest instinctive materials declared to man and has been used since the early cavemen, however it is genuine onerous to work with, unqualified bulky and does not quaff a lot of heat but tends to stay below zero. This property makes it sheer precious for ovenlike climates but not therefrom worthy for chill climates.

Mud, clay and earth are much easier to work with and are still used all over the world today, including in developed countries in the design of adobe / rammed earth. Mud and clay are repeatedly mixed with buff or forage to make a finer composition and stronger structures. Earth has genuine satisfactory insulation properties, especially on thicker walls. This means they purchase the heat or the cutting for a identical long time, whence your shanty is easier to heat in a cold climate, losing less heat at night, while the same house in a hot climate will require much less heating as it will not heat up too much during the day and will retain some of the colder temperatures of the night. Of course bricks and tiles are the most modern use of clay, mimicking the techniques learned from building with rocks / stones. These days a lot of bricks and tiles are made artificially from concrete which is a cheaper alternative although the quality is usually not as good.

Fabric has been used since ancient times and is still very much alive today although its purposes are more limited. Most people think of traditional teepees when conjuring up images of fabric homes, while these days you will find fabric used for tents, such as camping, emergency or aid tents, or for parts of houses, for example wall partitions and awnings.

Wood is a cheap and renewable source which, unlike most building materials, actually benefits the environment as it removes carbon dioxide from the air and replaces it with life - giving oxygen. Wood is very easy to work with, very durable and wooden houses look fantastic and feel homely. As well as trees for timber, smaller plants are also used in construction, from the grass or straw mixed with clays to the thatch found on some old roofs. Smaller plants can also make good temporary shelters in survival situations.

Cement. Cement is basically a glue which is mixed with sand or gravel to form the solid material that we call concrete. It comes in powder and is " activated " by adding water. When set it is as hard as rock although larger structures can sometimes crack and break if the ground is moving or settling, so it is usually supported by metal inserts when used for construction. Inexpensive, easy to transport and use for just about any shape or size, from driveways to walls, cement is the most popular building material in the world today.

Glass serves as both a source of light and a wall, in the form of doors, windows and roofs. It is known as a fragile material, but modern glass - making techniques can make some almost unbreakable varieties which serve as security or fireproof doors. Fairly tricky to work with, difficult to transport and rather expensive, and with the exception of windows, this material is usually left to create interesting designs rather than a useful functional building material.

A History of Lanyards

The age of the big ships began about the allotment 1400. This was a time when ships were a larger part of industry and commerce. Sailing vessels were used to transport people and goods and they were used to travel the new world. It was during this word that the lanyard was created.

The lanyard was the creation of the men who worked on board these vessels. Part of their chores would have included climbing into the rigging. They may have been asked to do this in system to distance the laugh ' s burrow. This was the highest point of the craft where a suspicion could sit and study the seas. This duty regularly involved using a spy glass. To make certain that they could carry the spy glass and climb the ropes they would tie the tube to a cord.

The lanyard which these men wore would have been constructed from various bits of rope or twine that the sailor would have found on the ship. This rope would then be tied to the glass using various knots. The final step would have been to tie a knot into the cord which would allow it to form a complete circle.

This invention did not stop at the harbour. People on shore saw sailors using the lanyards and realized that although they might not want to carry a spy glass, they could apply the lanyard to their own needs. This situation did not change throughout the years. People buying and using lanyards since it was first invented.

Today the lanyard is a popular way to carry a cell phone. In fact this means of carrying a phone has become so popular that lanyard suppliers offer a range of different attachments, which can all hold a phone.

The mobile leash connector is also called a cell phone loop. This particular loop is designed to slide through a built in pull though hole. These holes are feature on countless designs of phones. However, if your model does not have this feature you can slide the loop through numerous different types of cases and holders. Another option that interests many is the mobile phone release buckle. This clasp enables the user to remove the phone without taking the lanyard off. These options can be used to carry other high tech pieces of equipment. Digital cameras frequently have this feature.

Wallet pouches and holder are available in a variety of different sizes. These pouches can hold phones, cameras, MP3 players and personal gaming systems. They can also include other item simultaneously. For example, the pouch could carry a gaming system, a few spare games and extra batteries. The lanyard may be hundreds of years old, but it still has countless applications.

A Little History Of The Standing Kitchen Mixer

In a time when you can use devices the size of your palm to log onto the Internet, listen to thousands of dulcet compositions, and gate photos, as flourishing call people all over the world, it ' s hard to scheme that at one time a standing kitchen mixer was considered a wondering of technology.

The original patent received for an electric mixer was given to Rufus W Eastman in 1885, as claimed by Dennis Thompson in his book Antique Electric Mixers. It was a rare apparatus as it could be powered by either electricity or water. In 1908 an engineer by the name of Herbert Johnson watched a baker mixing bread dough with a metal spoon. This caused Johnston to create the commercial standing mixer. In 1914, 80 quart commercial mixers were sold to the public and were rapidly known as a machine to make labor easier. A businessman ' s wife who was using the product in her home said this was " the greatest kitchen aid she ever used " and then a brand name was established. KitchenAid mixers are commonly found in many home kitchens. A commercial stated that a KitchenAid mixer, with its accessories, could " do everything! " The current accessories can form pasta, stuff sausage, mash food, and make citrus fruit juice, as well as ice cream.

The Sunbeam department of the Chicago Flexible Shaft Company got a patent on its own type of kitchen standing mixer with beaters in 1928 and 1929. The MixMaster was introduced in 1930 and was much cheaper than the KitchenAid. The MixMaster was such a favorite that its name became an icon for all standing mixers, the same way Kleenex represents any kind of tissue or Band - Aid means any kind of taped bandage.

I recall the mixer that my mother owned, which was a strong Sunbeam MixMaster with an ivory colored frame for the motor, a black bottom, and a green bowl made of glass. We loved licking the beaters after mixing a cake, not worrying about the health hazards of eating the raw eggs that were in the batter. I don ' t remember my mom ever having a different mixer, which is an example of its durability. Juicer and food grinder attachments were also included with it.

After I left home, the mixers I had were hand - held versions that could mix up a nice cake with homemade icing and sometimes I made mashed potatoes, but not too much else. My husband brought with him an old Sunbeam MixMaster when we got married that was very similar to the one my mom had. His also was one given to him by his mother.

The Sunbeam MixMaster I inherited from my mother - in - law worked just fine for me for many years. In the end, for one of my more memorable birthdays I demanded a beautiful KitchenAid standing mixer in cobalt blue with a lot of nice attachments. My mixer will endure for years, and I ' ll get to give it to someone else someday.