Theme park rides like Thunder Mountain Railroad and others are a blast to ride and experience, but how do these rides come to be? Who designs them? Who builds them and creates all of the environments and machines that are required to make them work? Today we’re going to talk about none other than the world famous Disney Imagineers!

The magical world of Disney theme parks has captivated the hearts of millions around the globe for decades. Behind the scenes of this enchanting experience lies a rich history marked by creativity, ingenuity, and a team of visionary individuals known as Imagineers. The roots of Disney’s theme park legacy can be traced back to WED Enterprises and the birth of Imagineering. 

When Walt Disney first decided to build a theme park, after his wild success as an animation studio, Disney created a group called WED Enterprises. This was in 1952 and Disney formed the group because he knew he would need a crew of very talented people to help design and engineer his theme park, which was still just a thing of his dreams and imagination. 

WED Enterprises included artists, engineers, architects, and designers who would bring Walt Disney’s dreams to life. They were known for having more than just one skill, such as being an architect or an engineer. They had to have BIG imaginations and be ready to think outside the box. At heart, they were storytellers, responsible for creating immersive narratives that would become park rides and other experiences. Their mission was to blend creativity with cutting-edge technology to create an enchanting world for park visitors.

In 1986, WED Enterprises changed its name to Walt Disney Imagineering. Imagineer is the combination of the words engineer and imagine! Imagineers are expected to not only have the skills to do their job but to think creatively and come up with new, bold ideas as they tell their stories in the form of attractions. In fact, one of the Imagineers first principles is “It all begins with a story.” 

Next, let’s dive into the life of some of the most famous Imagineers! Marc Davis was born in Bakersfield, California and from a very young age loved drawing and art! He practiced during his free time and eventually went to college in Kansas, where he further developed his skills. In 1934, Marc joined Disney as an animator and helped illustrate for animated classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Bambi. He worked closely with Walt Disney to create these films and when it came time to start designing Disneyland, Walt Disney knew Marc would be the perfect fit to help bring his dreams to life. 

One of his first projects was designing characters for The Haunted Mansion. Marc had a great sense of humor and was able to bring it to life through art as he designed characters such as The Hitching Ghost and the ghostly bride Constance Hatchaway. He also worked on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and many of the humor pirates you can see and experience throughout the ride. Marc also helped design the Enchanted Tiki Room, the Jungle Cruise, and EPCOT’s Journey into Imagination.

Another early imagineer was Harriet Burns. Harriet was born in San Antonio, Texas and early on had a passion for art and design. She started at Disney in 1955 as a set painter for many of the rides. She became one of the first female Imagineers and helped design and paint characters on the Disneyland Railroad, Its a Small World, and the Matterhorn Bobsleds. Harriet was also known for her strong will and personality. When she had a vision for how someone should be done, she worked hard at it and made her opinion known until she got results!

The history of Disneyland Imagineers wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Tony Baxter, whose first job at Disneyland was actually an ice cream scooper at age 17. He loved being at the park and was determined to help make it an even more fun and enchanting place. He went to school and studied landscape architecture and later theater design. At this time, he also started helping with construction projects at Disneyland.

In 1970, Tony officially became an Imagineer. His dream job! He helped redesign Fantasyland, then later came up with the idea that became Splash Mountain. Splash Mountain showcased Baxter’s ability to combine storytelling with groundbreaking ride technology. The attraction became an instant classic, enchanting generations with its whimsical charm.

Baxter’s gift for adventure and storytelling reached new heights with the creation of the Indiana Jones ride. Opened in 1995, this dark ride blended film and theme park elements, plunging riders into the heart of an ancient temple filled with scary sights! The attraction’s success showed Baxter’s ability to translate movie magic into an immersive and exhilarating theme park experience.

Other famous Imagineers worth mentioning are the artist Mary Blair, X Atencio, Wing T. Chao, Alice Estes Davis, Yale Gracey, Bob Gurr, Joe Rohde, and Marty Sklar. Because Disney parks are worldwide, Imagineers of many different nationalities, races, and backgrounds are now part of the Imagineering team!

Something else exciting about Imagineers is that as they are working on new rides, they often invent entirely new technologies that are used not only at Disney but in other theme parks and attractions around the world.

One of their most famous innovations are audio-animatronics. These are the life-like robots that become characters on the different Disney rides. They often look very realistic and move in real ways that make the parkgoers feel like they are experiencing the characters and the environments for real! The animatronics on some of the rides were ahead of their time. To date, one of the most advanced and realistic animatronics is the Shaman on the Na’vi River Journey at Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. Animatronics like this require many designers and engineers to figure out how to make them move in life-like ways. You’ll have to check out a video for this one, because you won’t believe your eyes!

Many of the vehicles for Disney’s rides also feature very advanced designs in order to move guests around through the attraction. This includes trackless rides that use magnets to orient them along the path. Another example is the jeep in Indiana Jones that makes passengers feel like they are bumping up and down on a wild ride, which has the flexibility to move many different directions.

Using RFID wristbands, guests are able to open their hotel rooms, enter parks and even make purchases using radio frequencies. Many of these technologies feel like magic when they are being used, but under all of the electronics a smart engineer had to design every piece of the advanced equipment to make it work. 

Other technologies include projection mapping, augmented reality, and virtual reality simulators… all with the goal of making guests feel like they have been transported to a different place and time and are living the actual experience. Pretty amazing, right?

Does becoming an Imagineer sound interesting to you? If so, be sure to look up their principles of design and think of ways you can apply them to your own interests. Do you like to be creative? If so, think of the kind of ride you would create if you were a Disney Imagineer. Draw up a plan and maybe even make a miniature version of it using cardboard and other materials. You might even simulate how it works using a space in your backyard or living room. Be sure to run it by your parents first, of course, but remember that all of these Imagineers were once kids like you who were passionate about art and design and had BIG imaginations! 

The post History of Disney Imagineering for Kids appeared first on Bedtime History: Podcast and Videos For Kids.

Our story begins in the early 2000s with two wizards of the Internet named David Baszucki and Erik Cassel. These visionary friends loved building and creating, and they dreamt of a place where everyone could let their imagination run wild. Together, they set out on an epic quest to create a platform where people could build their own games and play together.

In 2004, they used computer coding to create DynaBlocks. It was a virtual land where players could build and explore, creating their own adventures and challenges. 

Their chosen tool for their game idea was Lua, a scripting language known for its simplicity and versatility. Lua provided the foundation for David and Erik to weave the intricate code required to create a platform where users could unleash their creativity.

The development of DynaBlocks and its evolution into Roblox was no small task. David and Erik, armed with their coding expertise, spent several years refining and expanding their creation. The process was marked by many hours of dedication, trial, and error. As they encountered challenges and made changes, the two founders tirelessly worked to improve the user’s experience and build a platform that would capture the imagination of millions.

David and Erik hired a team of skilled programmers to get the job done. This collaborative effort brought many talents and perspectives into the mix, enriching the game design process. The team worked worked together to deal with technical challenges, optimize performance, and introduce new features that would contribute to the Roblox’s growth. As the team expanded, so did the complexity and depth of system, demonstrating the power of teamwork and innovation in the world of computer programming.

By 2006, Roblox officially became the digital space we know today, where players could build, play, and make friends from all corners of the globe.

As more adventurers joined the Roblox world, it started to sparkle with millions of games created by imaginative minds. You see, Roblox was designed so even the players could learn how to code and use graphic design to create their own games using the Lua programming language! How amazing is that? It means the possibilities for Roblox were endless! The popularity of Roblox soared, and soon it became a global sensation, enchanting players young and old alike.

In Robloxia, the virtual land of Roblox, players can embark on incredible quests and adventures created by fellow players. Some of the most popular games include “Adopt Me!”, where players can adopt virtual pets, and “Brookhaven,” a magical town where everyone can become anything they imagine.

The developers behind these games, like Adopt Me!’s DreamCraft and Brookhaven’s Wolfpaq, are like modern-day sorcerers. They spend hours waving their digital wands to create magical experiences for players to enjoy. These games became so beloved that they attracted millions of players, turning the once-small Robloxia into a bustling metropolis of creativity.

Now, let’s talk about some young adventurers who turned their dreams into impressive games. Players like Alex “builderman” Balfanz, made their fortunes by crafting games that captured the hearts of millions. Alex created “Jailbreak,” a game where players can choose to be cops or robbers in a thrilling chase. His creativity didn’t just entertain, but he was also able to earn money from his game, turning him into a legendary figure in the Roblox world.

In the magical land of Robloxia, some young creators have discovered a path to riches. Take, for instance, the young adventurer Andrew “badcc” Bereza. His game “Bad Business” became a sensation, and as players flocked to experience the excitement he crafted, Andrew found himself with a treasure trove of Robux, the currency of Roblox. 

Some of the young creators were able to earn enough to pay for their college education, which is pretty impressive!

In the world of Roblox, not all heroes wear capes – some wear headphones and sit in front of computers. Let’s delve into the tales of two creators who warmed the hearts of players everywhere.

One such gamer is EthanGamerTV, who started creating Roblox videos at a young age. His enthusiasm and love for the game resonated with many, turning him into a beloved figure in the Roblox community.

Another popular player is “Work at a Pizza Place,” Dued1. His game, where players can experience the joys and challenges of working at a pizza joint, became a beloved classic. Dued1’s journey from a humble creator to a celebrated figure in Robloxia showcases the power of imagination and hard work.

What do you think of the story of the creation of Roblox? It always amazes me to think of the small beginnings of projects like this. I mean, that’s how my podcast started, too. The idea for Roblox started in the minds of David Baszucki and Erik Cassel and with lots of hard work, talent, and determination led to the game we know today that is played by millions of creators and gamers around the world.

If you were to create your own game or app, what would it do? If you have an idea, write it down, draw some pictures to describe it, and use websites like Canva or Fiero Code or Scratch to learn how to design and code and bring your creation to life. Like Roblox, every big idea has to start somewhere!

The post History of Roblox for Kids appeared first on Bedtime History: Podcast and Videos For Kids.

Now, what do you think of when you hear the word “voyager”? A voyage is like a journey or long trip. When I think of “voyager,” I think of someone going into new and unknown places, exploring and learning. What “voyagers” do you know? The world is pretty big with lots of places to explore, but the biggest place to explore the unknown is Outer Space. It’s only been a little over 50 years since the first human, Neil Armstrong, walked on the Moon. There’s still so much we don’t know! In the late 1970s two space probes (kind of like a spaceship without people on it) were launched with the idea that they could explore more and go further than ever before. They are called Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. They have been on an incredible journey for decades and still have so much more to do!

As you may know, our solar system’s planets revolve around the sun. Every 175 years a very special event happens when the planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune line up. The Voyager Program started in 1964 when a scientist named Gary Flandro discovered that this would be happening several years in the future and just one spacecraft would be able to fly by all of them! If they could send a spacecraft to see them all in one voyage this would save a lot of time and money. The project idea was called “The Grand Tour”. Sadly, it ended up being canceled in 1971 because it was going to cost $1 billion dollars.

Fortunately, the idea of a grand tour was reborn a few years later. The opportunity of the planets lining up for NASA was just too good to resist. The new project was estimated to cost $250 million dollars, much less than The Grand Tour project. This time, NASA was going to make two probes, and they were going to visit Jupiter, Saturn and one of Saturn’s moons, Titan. They made two probes so in case something happened to one, the other would be able to finish the mission and visit the two planets. But what everyone at NASA was really hoping for was that Voyager 1 would be successful and they would have Voyager 2 go and do the Grand Tour.

One of the most important parts of the Voyagers were their cameras. The purpose of the spacecraft would be to take pictures of the planets as they passed by. They also had to be able to send pictures back to earth using radio transmission. So the Voyagers were designed with very powerful cameras and radio devices for sending the images to Earth, so scientists could study the images and other data and learn more about the other planets in our solar system. 

Imagine you met someone who didn’t know anything about life on Earth.  What things would you want to teach them? What are the most important things about life on Earth that you’d want them to know? Scientists at NASA knew that the Voyagers had the potential to go very, very far. Even beyond our solar system. What if the Voyagers were discovered by alien life way out in the galaxy? They decided to put a message on each Voyager just in case it was ever discovered by intelligent life. They named the device the Golden Record. A record was a way to store information and listen to music back when your grandparents were younger. If you know what a CD or compact disc is, it’s like a very big CD. 

Scientist Carl Sagan was asked to decide what would be sent on the Voyagers. He and other scientists at NASA put 115 different pictures on the record, of what people look like at different ages, pictures of nature and animals. There were pictures of architecture from around the world and different people from around the world. The team put math equations, chemistry formulas, and pictures of the planets to show our understanding of science. Sagan also put a lot of different sounds on the record! Sounds like the ocean and birds, music from different cultures and time periods. They also included the spoken greetings of 55 languages. Finally instructions, and the equipment needed, were included to play the record and get all of the information off of it.

Here’s a question for you: what do the Voyagers and leftovers in your fridge have in common? They both use kitchen foil to protect them! A lot of design ideas for Voyager were taken from an earlier project named Pioneer 10. Space has very intense radiation and it is especially strong around Jupiter. Voyager had to be able to handle the intense radiation. Right before Voyager was launched, kitchen grade aluminum foil was wrapped around certain cables to give them even more protection! Another cool thing about Voyager is it weighs 1,704 pounds and 231 pounds of it are scientific instruments for gathering different types of data. There are cameras on board that took pictures when it was closer to earth and it has very special antennas that it still uses to communicate with NASA and tell us where it is.

After all of the preparations, Voyager 2 was finally launched in August 1977. Voyager 1 was launched the next month. Even though Voyager 1 was launched later, it was faster and got to Jupiter two years later! That gives you an idea of how big our solar system is. Voyager 2 got there 4 months later. Voyager 2 then reached Uranus at the beginning of 1986. The mission was a huge success! Both Voyagers were able to take pictures of the planets as they passed by and sent images back to Earth. Scientists were able to study these images and other data and learn more about these planets.

Finally, in 1990 when Voyager 1 was 6 billion miles from Earth, (that is very, very far) – it was turned around to take a picture of our solar system. That picture is now known as “Family Portrait”. In it you can see Jupiter, Earth, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and the Sun. In the picture the Earth is a small blue dot. Scientist Carl Sagan later wrote a book about how seeing the Earth so small in the solar system made him see life in a whole new way. The book was called “Pale Blue Dot.” It’s kind of crazy to think that in the solar system we are so very small! This picture of our solar system is the last one that the Voyagers took. 

Remember the first question I asked? What is the furthest you have ever been from home? Can you imagine what the Voyagers answer would be!? As of now, they are very, very far from earth. So we have a sun, which is the center of our solar system, with planets orbiting around it. But what’s past that? While studying about the Voyagers I learned about the heliopause. The heliopause is the outer layer of the heliosphere, which is almost like a giant bubble that surrounds our sun and solar system and everything that orbits it. Once you pass through the heliosphere, you are in Deep Space! Outside of the solar system! Believe it or not, that is where both Voyagers are today! Deep space, out of the Solar System! It blows my mind to think about it. They’ve gone further than any man-made device before them. Voyager 1 crossed the heliopause in 2012 and Voyager 2 crossed in 2018. 

How far will the Voyagers continue to go? We aren’t completely sure. Being able to track them depends on how long their power is able to last. The electrical power of Voyager is from plutonium, the same material used to make nuclear weapons. Over time the plutonium decays and doesn’t put out as much energy. In October 2011, their power had dropped to almost half. As the power drops, Voyager won’t be able to take as many pictures or communicate back to earth. Scientists think that by 2032 there won’t be enough power for them to communicate. But for now, both are in contact with NASA through the Deep Space Network and we still get to enjoy seeing where they are! Voyager 1 is currently over 14 billion miles from Earth, and Voyager 2 isn’t far behind. Amazing, right?

As you think about how far Voyager has gone and all that it has done and seen, think about your own voyage (or journey) in life. What places do you want to see? Where do you want to go? It doesn’t have to be the solar system and deep space to be rewarding. But it’s great to make plans and work toward them just as the scientists at NASA did with the Voyagers.

The post History of the Voyager Program for Kids appeared first on Bedtime History: Podcast and Videos For Kids.

The tournament was a much-anticipated event, and Sir Oliver had been training diligently for this day. He was determined to prove his worth as a knight and make his family and kingdom proud. With the sun’s first rays peeking over the horizon, he awoke, ready to embark on a journey that would test his courage, skill, and chivalry.

Sir Oliver donned his gleaming armor, which was adorned with a fierce lion emblem, symbolizing his family’s valor and strength. As he strapped on his trusty sword, he could feel the weight of responsibility and honor resting on his shoulders. With a deep breath, he headed to the village square, where a cheering crowd awaited his arrival.

The tournament grounds were gloriously decorated, with colorful banners fluttering in the breeze and the sounds of fun and laughter filling the air. Knights from far and wide had gathered to prove their strength and skill. The jousting field was marked with a long wooden tilt, a wooden barrier, where the knights would charge at each other on their powerful horses.

Sir Oliver’s heart raced with excitement as he climbed on his warhorse. Thunderstrike was a magnificent beast with a jet-black coat and a fiery spirit. The crowd roared with anticipation, knowing that this young knight was determined to make a name for himself.

A trumpet signaled the start of the joust, and Sir Oliver and his opponent prepared to face each other. They charged towards one another at an incredible speed, their lances held high. Then the two knights collided with a clash, but Sir Oliver’s lance found its mark, shattering his opponent’s shield.

The crowd erupted into cheers at Sir Oliver first victory. He nodded humbly, showing respect for his fallen opponent, a true knightly quality.

As the tournament continued, Sir Oliver faced more challengers, each battle testing his mettle and courage. The day wore on, and the sun’s rays began to cast long shadows over the field. Sweat dripped down his brow as he battled knights of all ages and backgrounds.

In the final round, Sir Oliver faced a skilled and honorable opponenent. The joust was a thrilling contest of skill and valor, but in the end, Sir Oliver’s lance hit true, knocking his opponent from his horse. He had won the tournament and the crowd’s adoration.

The people of the village cheered and applauded as they hailed their new champion, Sir Oliver. He was presented with a magnificent trophy, a golden chalice that shone as brightly as his armor. With humility and gratitude, he accepted his prize, but it was not the trophy that filled his heart with the greatest joy. It was the knowledge that he had upheld the code of chivalry throughout the tournament, treating his fellow knights with respect, bravery, and honor.

Knighthood first began to take shape and gain popularity in the early Middle Ages, particularly during the 9th and 10th centuries in Europe. Knights were more common in the Western and Northern parts of Europe, including what are now modern-day France, England, and Germany. 

**Chapter 1: The Birth of Knights**

Knights were like the superheroes of their era. Just as you might admire your favorite movie characters, people in medieval Europe looked up to knights. These brave men started their journey as young squires, like you, who learned the art of combat, chivalry, and honor. They trained hard, and when they became skilled and noble, they were finally knighted.

**Chapter 2: Suiting Up in Shiny Armor**

One of the most exciting things about knights was their armor. Imagine wearing cool, shiny armor like Iron Man! Well, knights had their own amazing suits of armor. There were two main types: plate armor and chainmail.

– *Plate Armor*: This was like a medieval Iron Man suit. It was made of metal plates that covered a knight’s body from head to toe, giving them excellent protection. But, it was also very heavy!

– *Chainmail*: This was like a super-strong, flexible, and lightweight shirt made of tiny metal rings. Knights wore this beneath their plate armor to stay safe in battle.

Knights’ armor wasn’t just for protection; it also had a unique design on the shield, banner, or helmet, representing their family or country. It’s like wearing your favorite superhero’s emblem on your shirt!

Knights didn’t spend all their time just looking awesome in their armor; they had a noble duty to protect their kingdom. They went on exciting adventures. These adventures were often battles, but we won’t get into the scary details. Instead, think of knights as the brave defenders of their kingdoms, fighting to keep their people safe. 

Imagine a grand sports event where knights would show off their skills, not in battle, but in friendly competitions. These were called jousting tournaments like Sir Oliver’s. Just like how you might compete in soccer or basketball, knights competed in these thrilling events.

The main event was the joust, where two knights on horseback charged at each other with long, pointy spears, trying to knock each other off their horses. It was like a medieval game of chicken!

Knights also participated in melees, where they fought with blunted weapons in mock battles. It was all in good fun and showed off their strength and skill. These tournaments were like the medieval version of your favorite sports, and people would gather from far and wide to cheer for their favorite knights.

Knights were not just strong and brave; they had a special code of conduct called chivalry. Chivalry was like a knight’s rulebook for being a true hero.

These are a few of the virtues:

– *Honor*: Knights had to be honest and fair, and they would never cheat or lie.

– *Respect*: They treated others with kindness and respect, especially those who were weaker or in need.

– *Courage*: Knights had to be brave in the face of danger, just like your favorite action heroes.

– *Loyalty*: They were loyal to their king, their country, and their fellow knights.

– *Helping Others*: Knights helped those in need, just like how you might help a friend or family member.

So, how does learning about knights relate to your life today? Well, the lessons of chivalry can be applied even now. You might not have a suit of armor or a sword, but you can be a modern-day knight in your own way.

– *Honor*: Always be honest and fair. Never cheat or lie to win.

– *Respect*: Treat everyone with kindness and respect, just like the knights did.

– *Courage*: Stand up for what’s right, even when it’s tough.

– *Loyalty*: Be loyal to your friends, family, and the people you care about.

– *Helping Others*: Always be ready to help those in need, just like a true hero.

You see, being a knight isn’t just about fighting battles; it’s about being a hero in everyday life. The code of chivalry can guide you in making the world a better place.

And so, our journey through the thrilling history of knights in medieval Europe comes to an end. Knights were the heroes of their time, protecting their kingdoms and living by the code of chivalry. They inspire us to be brave, kind, and honorable in our own lives.

You may not have a suit of armor or a trusty steed, but you have the heart of a modern-day knight. Just remember the lessons of chivalry and let them guide you in your adventures, big and small. You can be a hero in your own way, making the world a better place with your kindness, courage, and honor, just like the knights of yore.

So, young squire, go forth with the spirit of a knight in your heart and make your own heroic mark on the world!

The post Knights of Medieval Europe for Kids appeared first on Bedtime History: Podcast and Videos For Kids.

But did you know that kings and queens and dungeons and castles don’t just exist in fairy tales? They really exist! For hundreds of years, they’ve lived in a city called London.

Every year, 30 million people travel from around the world to London, the capital city of the United Kingdom. Why do so many people come to visit this city that is home to kings, queens, dungeons, and castles? Let’s check it out!

What better way to see all of the old castles and new buildings of London than from the sky. So let’s start our tour of this magical place with a trip up an elevator. In London, though, they would call this elevator a “lift.” This particular lift is going to take us to the very top of a building called the Shard. The Shard is the tallest building in London so our elevator has to travel more than 1,000 feet to reach the top!

But what a view! From the 68th floor of the Shard, we can see just how enormous London really is! Museums, buses, people, and buildings spread out as far as the eye can see. Many people think that London is one of the biggest cities in the world. Actually, though, it’s the smallest city in the United Kingdom. This is because the actual City of London is only about one square mile of skyscrapers. All of the palaces, attractions, and museums we see below us are actually in a region called Greater London, not the city of London.

London was founded about 2,000 years ago. At this time, a powerful empire known as the Roman Empire was invading many places on the continent of Europe. Eventually, the mighty Roman army sailed so far north that they reached a large island with a large river called the Thames. The Romans sailed along the Thames until they decided that it was narrow enough to build bridges across it. There, they built a city and called it Londinium, but at some point, it was shortened to London. From the top of the Shard, it’s easy to see the same river running through London today!  

Where the Romans first settled is the small section that is the true City of London. Today, people from all over the world come to work here. It’s pretty easy to spot from the Shard because it’s a cluster of tall skyscrapers. One of them is even shaped like a pickle. In fact, many people who live in London like to call it the Pickle!

Remember those bridges that the Romans built? Well, there are still around 35 of them crossing the river in London alone! Probably the most famous is called Tower Bridge. Tower Bridge is built to look like, well, a tower. It’s named after a landmark that sits just at the end of the bridge called the Tower of London.   

The Tower of London has actually served many purposes throughout its history. It was first built as a military fortress for a French king named William the Conqueror. But since then, it’s been a prison, a castle, a place to store weapons, and even a zoo. 

Today, visitors stop by the Tower of London to see the crown jewels, owned by the King and Queen themselves. The collection of jewels is guarded by seven ravens, and countless British guards called beefeaters who wear bright red coats, big black boots, and tall fluffy hats. They get their pictures taken by tourists a lot! 

While the beefeaters guard their jewels in the Tower of London, the King and Queen live on the other side of London in Buckingham Palace. But even though a British queen or king has ruled the United Kingdom for around 1200 years, they haven’t always lived in Buckingham Palace. When the palace was built in London in the 1700s, it wasn’t for the royal family. A man named John Sheffield just wanted a place to stay while he was in London. About 50 years later, in 1762, King George III saw how grand and beautiful it was. He knew that nobody except for the royal family was fit to live there. So, he bought it for his wife.

To make it even grander, he added large gardens, archways, statues, and monuments. Buckingham Palace now has over 775 rooms. Seventy-eight of them are bathrooms! 

Since the 1700s, the people who lived and worked in Buckingham Palace have followed many royal traditions. Some are still used today. For example, if you visit the palace, you’ll know that King Charles is home if the British flag is flying on top of the building. You might also be lucky enough to see the changing-of-the-guard, which happens every morning during the summer, and every other morning during the winter. 

From the Shard, we can see that just below Buckingham Palace is a big clock tower. And when I say big, I mean huge. It’s so big they named the clock in it Big Ben, and it is 315 feet tall to be exact. This famous symbol helps Londoners keep track of time as they go about their busy days in the bustling city. The bells inside weigh about 14 tons each. That’s about the same as five adult elephants. When Big Ben was built, it took sixteen horses to pull it to where it stands now.

Big Ben is attached to the Houses of Parliament. This large building is home to the government of the United Kingdom. It’s kind of like the British version of the capitol building in Washington D.C. The Houses of Parliament look a lot like a palace themselves. In fact, this building is sometimes called the Palace of Westminster because it looks so royal and extravagant. 

London has long been a place for kings and queens to live. It’s also where a lot of business people and politicians come to work. But if you look down from the top of The Shard, you’ll see a crowded city full of people walking its streets, taking taxis and buses, and even riding boats along the Thames. What do all of these people do in London? 

Some could be actors hurrying to theaters in the West End. There are more than 240 theaters across London, and most of them are in the West End. London became famous for its live theater performances thanks to a famous playwright named Shakespeare. Shakespeare has a number of famous plays including Romeo and Juliet. In the 1500s, his theater, the Globe, was built in London. Even though it’s not in the West End, Shakespeare’s Globe and its many performances set the stage, quite literally, for the popularity of theater in London. Visitors can still see a play at the Globe or any one of the other 200 performances every day in theaters across London. 

Visitors might also check out one of London’s 192 museums. London was once the center of an empire that included Africa, Asia, and even the original American colonies. Because of this history, the museums in London are filled with art, artifacts, and information from all over the world. London is even home to the world’s oldest public museum – the British Museum. 

Like the artifacts in its museums, London is home to people from all over the world. Over 300 different languages are spoken here. Its restaurants include food from all over the world. And if you go to one of many soccer stadiums in London to see a match, you’ll likely see the best players in the world. 

The view from the Shard is not just beautiful. It helps show a city that is rich in history but also a modern city that is thriving.

Wait. I think I hear the chimes of Big Ben. It must be time for tea. Afternoon tea is another long tradition in London. But we’ll save that story for another time.

Sources:

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/London/345951

https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/a-brief-history-of-london

https://kids.kiddle.co/History_of_London

https://kids.kiddle.co/Buckingham_Palace

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Big-Ben/476223

https://kids.kiddle.co/Palace_of_Westminster

https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/discover/about-us/globe-theatre/#:~:text=The%20Globe%20Theatre%20you%20see,Julius%20Caesar%20in%20spring%201599.

https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/arts-and-culture/vision-and-strategy/20-facts-about-london%E2%80%99s-culture#:~:text=London%20has%20over%20192%20museums,Rosetta%20Stone%20(196%20BC).

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What you don’t realize is AI is part of your life and you may not even realize it. Many of the decisions made by computers are handled by Artificial Intelligence. Your Alexia is an AI and much of the new art you see or text you read now may be generated by AI. Humans are still an important part of this work, though, since they are giving the AI instructions, guiding it where it needs to go, and using their creativity to send it along different paths. 

Imagine you have a magic wand that can tell you stories, build you a recipe, and answer any question you ask. That’s a bit like what people dreamed of when they first thought about AI. The idea of creating machines that could think and learn like humans has been around for a long time. It’s like trying to build a robot that can chat like your best friend, solve puzzles like a detective, and even learn new things all by itself.

But AI wasn’t born overnight. It’s been a bit like a recipe that needed time to cook. Scientists have been working on AI for many years. They wanted to create computers that could do more than just follow instructions. They wanted to build machines that could understand and talk with us in our own language. And they’ve made amazing progress!

In the history of AI, there were brave pioneers in the world of machines. They were like the first adventurers in a new, uncharted land. One of these pioneers was Alan Turing, a genius mathematician. He created a special code-breaking machine during World War II, which was a bit like the ancestor of AI, helping to decode secret messages. Turing’s ideas and inventions are still inspiring AI wizards today.

Another remarkable pioneer was John McCarthy, who invented the term “artificial intelligence” in 1956. McCarthy was one of the first to teach computers to use logic and solve problems, like teaching them to be detectives in a mystery story. His work set the stage for many AI discoveries to come.

Marvin Minsky co-founded the first AI laboratory at MIT. He believed that machines could learn and think just like humans. Minsky’s work was like teaching machines to be curious explorers, always eager to learn and solve new puzzles. These pioneers paved the way for the explosive world of AI we have today, where computers can chat, understand, and even create stories.

Now, let’s talk about a special part of AI called Natural Language Processing (NLP). Imagine your brain is like a super-secret code-breaking club. When you read a book or listen to your teacher, your brain is decoding all the words and sentences and turning them into ideas. Have you ever wondered why the word “book” means a thing you read and “tree” is a thing that grows and has green leaves. Why is “green” even called green? It’s just a label we put on these objects and have to agree on – and every language has a different label in their language. The Spanish word for green is “verde.” 

Natural Langauge Processing is like teaching computers to understand the way our brain decodes these symbols, and is different for each language. It helps them understand words, sentences, and even the feelings behind what people say. It’s like giving them a special dictionary to learn our language. NLP is like training your dog to understand commands, but instead of woofs and barks, it’s words and sentences. 

With NLP, computers can chat, translate languages, and help us find information on the internet. They can even write stories, just like the ones you love to read! It’s as if computers have become amazing storytellers and detectives all in one.

In the world of AI, there chunks of computer code called “Large Language Models.” They are like the mega-brains of the AI world. Imagine you have a library with millions of books, and these models have read them all! Over time they’ve learned from all the stories, information, and conversations in those books. They use maps to connect different symbols to different ideas. For example, the words “nature” and “tree” and “leaf” are all connected. It understands the meanings of these words and how they are related. 

One of the most popular Large Language Models is Chat GPT. GPT stands for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer.” It’s like a robot who is always ready to chat with you. Chat GPT can talk like a real person because it’s learned so much from all those books in the library. It can even tell you jokes, stories, or help with homework!

But ChatGPT is only one of many AI chatbots. Other popular ones includes Bing, Google Bard, and Jasper AI. 

Chat GPT and the other chat bots weren’t always as amazing as they are now. It’s a bit like how a baby learns to walk and talk. They needed lots of practice and training. Scientists and engineers had to feed them tons of information, teach them how to understand language, and make them better over time. It’s estimated over 300 BILLION words from Wikipedia, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and books from all over the Internet were used to build ChatGPTs knowledge. Imagine if you knew a toddler who could read that much and that fast! 

Each new version of these models, like Chat GPT-3, is like a new and improved robot friend. It can chat, answer questions, and even create stories that sound just like they were written by humans. And they are always improving.

Beyond writing, AI is also being used to create artwork, videos, and voices. I spent a few months tinkering around with an AI art generator called Midjourney and used it to create a few album covers for my latest series that you can find on Apple Music and elsewhere. I’ve also shared some of my voice data with it to see how well it can mimic my voice. No, this isn’t an AI talking to you today, this is the actual Breck and for now I’m much happier with how my human-generated voice sounds!

These AI models have become helpful in many ways. They can assist doctors in diagnosing illnesses, help writers come up with new ideas, and even help you find the perfect recipe for chocolate chip cookies. They are like assistants that can make our lives easier and more fun.

The journey of AI is like a thrilling adventure where we keep discovering new lands. Scientists and engineers are always working to make AI even smarter and more helpful. They want to teach AI to have better conversations, understand emotions, and assist us in ways we can’t even imagine yet.

But remember, AI is like a tool, a bit like a magic wand. It can do incredible things, but it’s humans who guide it and use it for good. There is also a lot of talk in the news and by scientists and politicians about the importance of making AI safe. It’s a tool and can be used for good or ill, so how do we create fences for it to make sure its helpful not harmful. 

Some are also concerned that it takes away from human creativity. If AI is writing all of the new stories and creating all of the new artwork, does this lessen humans? I definitely see this as a concern and believe humans will always bring something unique to the world of art and creativity. For now, AI is like a useful assistant where artists and writers can ask it for help, but ultimately are there for creative inspiration and direction. 

So there you have it, the magical world of Artificial Intelligence! AI, NLP, and Large Language Models like ChatGPT are like friendly robots that can chat, help us learn, and even tell us amazing stories. They’ve been on an exciting journey from their creation to the incredible things they can do today.

Just like you, AI is learning and growing every day. It’s an adventure that’s still unfolding, and who knows what other incredible discoveries await us in this fast-paced land of technology! So keep your eyes open and your imagination running wild, because the world of AI is full of wonders waiting to be explored.

The post History of AI ChatBots for Kids appeared first on Bedtime History: Podcast and Videos For Kids.

Dressed in your suit, crisp white shirt, and neatly knotted tie, you look very important. And indeed, you are a significant player in the world of business. These men are no ordinary executives; they’re from IBM, which, during this time, is the largest computer maker in the world.

As you wait, a young fellow appears before you. He seems hardly older than a teenager, but there’s an air of confidence about him. You ask him for directions to Bill Gates’s office, and without hesitation, he leads you there. Much to your surprise, he takes a seat behind the desk. It’s then that you realize he is Bill Gates himself, the head of Microsoft!

Bill Gates is just twenty-four years old at this time, although he appears even younger with his tangled hair, much too-large glasses, a sprinkling of freckles, and his cozy pullover sweater. However, as soon as he begins to speak, it becomes evident that he possesses a deep knowledge of computers which would lead him to become the richest man in the world.

________________

William Henry Gates III was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. Due to being the third Gates with the name William Henry, his family called him “Trey,” which is another way to say the word three. However, to everyone else, he was simply Bill.

As a child, Bill was very active, spending hours rocking back and forth on his rocking horse. This habit of rocking back and forth would become something you’d often see during his important business meetings. He found it to help him think better.

On school nights, there was a strict no-TV rule in the Gates household. Instead, the family would have conversations, play games, and immerse themselves in books. Young Bill loved to read, even deciding at age seven to read the entire encyclopedia and World Book! That is a full shelf of books! 

His intelligence was obvious to all who knew him. There’s a memorable incident where the whole family was ready for a short trip in the car and suddenly realized Bill was missing. His mother found him inside the house, deep in thought. When asked what he was doing, he replied, “I’m thinking, Mother!”

Challenges always intrigued him, and he was known for looking for ways to test his abilities. He was naturally left-handed but would switch to his right hand if he found himself bored in school.

At the age of eleven, he participated in a contest at his church. The challenge was to memorize the Sermon on the Mount, a long list of Bible scriptures. He not only memorized the whole thing but also did it without making a single mistake, impressing the minister. When asked about his accomplishments, he replied, “I can do anything I set my mind to.”

Winning was also extremely important to Bill Gates, and he didn’t like losing. During summers, his family spent two weeks at a cabin named Cheerio near Puget Sound. There, young Bill’s competitive spirit shone as he excelled in many different sports, such as water skiing, ice-skating, swimming, and downhill skiing.

However, in the sixth grade his interest in school seemed to drop. This caused his parents, Bill Sr. and Mary, to make an important decision. They enrolled him in the private school Lakeside at the start of seventh grade, setting the course for a new chapter in his life.

___________

Bill was the smallest kid in his seventh-grade class at Lakeside School, but the teachers at Lakeside helped kids find what they loved. Bill Gates was good at math and science, but he hadn’t found his special interest yet.

Then, one spring day in 1968, a teacher took Bill and some of his friends to a place called “the computer room.” But guess what? There wasn’t a computer in there! You see, at that time, there were no small personal computers like we have today. Computers were huge devices as big as rooms that cost millions of dollars and were only used by the government, military, and universities. Even Lakeside, a fancy private school, couldn’t afford one. So, they got the next best thing – a Teletype machine. It looked like a large electric typewriter, and there was a telephone that connected it to a computer in downtown Seattle.

The teacher showed the boys how to type a special command, which made the teletype start making a lot of noise and punching holes in a long roll of paper tape. 

Then, that message went through the phone lines to the computer miles away, and it sent back an answer.

Bill Gates was amazed by what the computer could do! After that, he spent all his free time in the computer room. He read every computer manual he could find and learned computer languages. 

Some other kids at Lakeside got just as excited about computers, and they all learned from each other. It was funny because the teachers had planned to teach the kids about computers, but it turned out that Bill and his friends became the experts. They even taught the teachers!

At Lakeside, he discovered his true passion – computers! His genius brain now had a focus, and it was all about computers! 

A group of kids got together and created a computer club called the Lakeside Programmers. They loved writing their own computer programs. A Computer program is a set of instructions for the computer to follow. Think of a computer program as a set of commands that you give to a computer to make it do certain things. Like typing out words, playing a game, or doing math. When Bill was just thirteen, he wrote his very first program, and it was for playing tic-tac-toe!

For someone like Bill who loved a challenge, the computer was the perfect playground. Every program was like a puzzle. If he made one tiny mistake in the instructions, the computer would get all confused and make mistakes too.

Now, Bill was younger than most of the other kids in the club, and they thought he was using up too much time on the computer. So, they actually kicked him out of the club for a little while. But the other kids soon realized that Bill was smart and knew things that they didn’t. So eventually they asked him to come back to the club. 

Using the computer wasn’t free; it cost a lot of money. His parents paid for his school, but they told him he had to pay for computer time himself. So, Bill did what any smart kid would do – he got a job! There was a company in Seattle called Computer Center Corporation, and they had a computer. The boys at Lakeside made a deal with them: they could use the computer for free if they found mistakes in its programs. It was a dream job for Bill and his friends because they had control over this massive, million-dollar computer.

They had to work at odd times, like at night and on weekends when the company’s staff didn’t need the computer. Sometimes he and his buddies stayed up until midnight. If he missed the bus home, he had to walk three miles!

When he was fifteen, he teamed up with another Lakeside Programmer named Paul Allen. They created a program called Traf-O-Data, which measured traffic flow in Seattle. And guess what? They made $20,000 from it!

He and Paul were pretty different. Paul was quiet and shy, while Bill was more outgoing and liked to argue to make a point. But they both loved computers and respected each other’s ideas.

They believed that computers had the power to change people’s lives, and they talked for hours about all the amazing things computers could do.

In his junior year, Lakeside School asked him to create a computer program for their schedules because they had just merged with an all-girls school, and it was too complicated to do by hand. Bill did it, and in return, he got about $5,000 worth of free computer time. 

Finally, in 1973, Bill graduated from Lakeside School, and he was all set to go to Harvard University. Lakeside had been an incredible journey for him. He discovered his love for computers, started his first business, met Paul Allen, and they were about to do something no one had ever done before.

College life at Harvard University was already keeping Bill Gates on his toes with classes and campus adventures. But little did he know he was about to change the world forever.

Fast forward to the middle of his sophomore year, a time when Bill Gates and his friend Paul Allen stumbled upon a magazine called Popular Electronics with the headline: “WORLD’S FIRST MINICOMPUTER KIT.” 

This was the birth of the Altair 8800. The Altair was unique because it was a small computer able to perform tasks that previously required large expensive mainframe computers. Do you remember the huge computers we mentioned in a previous episode that required large rooms of equipment? With an Altair 8800 at an affordable price, someone could own a computer small enough to have in their own home.

The Altair 8800 didn’t look like today’s sleek computers. It looked more like a black microwave with switches and lights. It didn’t even have a keyboard or screens. 

Bill and Paul quickly realized that the Altair 8800 had the hardware but lacked something very important: software. It was like having a car with no fuel – a machine ready to go but unable to move! 

The physical part of the computer like the hard drive and the motherboard is called hardware – but everything you use the computer for, what you see on the screen like games and pictures is called software. Many people call these apps today. The Altair 8800 was a computer with nothing to do with it. This is where Bill Gates and Paul Allen saw an opportunity! 

Bill Gates was not your typical college student. He and Paul Allen were brilliant programmers bursting with energy and vision. They knew what they had to do – create the missing software that would bring the Altair 8800 minicomputer to life. 

Bill called the company that made the computer. The company was called MITS and was located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He told the head of MITS, Ed Roberts, that he and his partner were writing language software for the Altair 8800. He asked if MITS was interested in seeing it.

Roberts said SURE! He agreed to meet with the boys in a little over a month. They had boldly declared that their program was almost completed … yet they actually hadn’t even begun!

For the next eight weeks, they started on a whirlwind of late-night coding sessions and intense problem-solving. With time running out and their dreams on the line, Bill and Paul had to pull off something extraordinary. A friend from Harvard joined their mission, and just in the nick of time, their program was ready.

Paul Allen journeyed to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to present their creation to Ed Roberts, the head of the company behind the minicomputer. Their software had never been tested on a real Altair 8800 before!

In a room filled with anticipation, Paul entered the command: “PRINT 2 + 2.” Then, the magic happened – the computer responded with a triumphant “4”! Success!

That moment changed everything. Ed Roberts, head of MITS decided to purchase their program, marking the birth of the very first programming language for a microcomputer. And Bill Gates was just a 19-year-old college student at the time!

After Bill and Paul made their deal with MITS, they needed an interesting name for their business. They picked “Micro-Soft” because they were making software for tiny computers (“micro” means tiny). In less than a year, they decided to drop the hyphen. Bill became the president of Microsoft, and Paul was the vice president.

They worked day and night and hired more people as Microsoft grew. As Bill Gates hired new people he expected everyone at Microsoft to work as hard as he did, even late at night and on weekends. Luckily most of the people there didn’t mind because they were young, smart, and excited about computers.

In 1980, Bill was about to sign a major deal with a giant company called IBM. IBM was the biggest computer maker in the world, known for those massive computers that took up entire rooms. But now, they wanted to make smaller computers, and they turned to Microsoft for help. It was a big deal!

At that time, Bill was just twenty-four years old, and Microsoft had about thirty-two employees. In contrast, IBM had well over three hundred thousand people working for them. At first, people at IBM might’ve thought Bill was too young, but they soon realized how much he knew about computers. So, they hired little Microsoft to create the software for their new small computers.

The software they needed was called an operating system, which is like the commander of the computer. It tells everything how to work – the keyboard, the screen, and all the other software. Without an operating system the computer wouldn’t be able to do much, especially not use software!

For nearly a year, Microsoft worked hard to create the software operating system, and in 1981, IBM released its first personal computer, called a PC for short and these PC’s used Microsoft’s operating system called MS-DOS. 

Soon, other companies started making copies of IBM’s small computers, called clones. Microsoft could sell versions of MS-DOS to these companies as well. MS-DOS quickly became the standard operating system for computers all around the world. 

With this success, Microsoft grew like crazy. By the end of 1981, they had 130 employees, and by 1983, nearly 500! Bill was no longer able to know everyone by name, but he was still very involved in everything.

At meetings, Bill expected everyone to work hard and he respected those who stood up for their ideas and defended them. What mattered most to him was finding the best solutions to problems.

Microsoft unveiled its latest software update in 1985 called Windows. What set it apart was a small, tool on the computer screen known as a “mouse.” This tiny device had been around for a while, but for most computer users, it was their first time seeing it. The mouse brought a big change in how people used their computers. 

Before Windows, PC users had to memorize complex commands and type them on a keyboard. But with Windows, things became much easier. They could simply point at pictures on the computer screen. By clicking the mouse on an icon, an entire program would pop up. 

The reason they named their software “Windows” was because it allowed you to have more than one “screen” open at the same time, just like having multiple windows in your room.

In 1986, Bill Gates made an important move by taking Microsoft public. Going public meant that anyone could buy small portions of the company, called “shares” of stock. These shares were bought and sold on what’s called the stock market.

Shares in Microsoft sold very quickly and suddenly overnight Bill Gates became a millionaire. By the following year, the value of Microsoft’s stock had skyrocketed so much that he became a billionaire! 

Eight years after becoming a billionaire, he earned the title of the world’s richest person! He held onto that title for many years, from 1995 to 2007, and once again in 2009. His fortune was worth well over $50 billion. 

When he was thirty-eight, he married Melinda French in Hawaii, and it became famous all around the world. In order to keep it private and avoid people coming to take pictures and watch, they rented out all the hotel rooms on the entire island and even hired all the helicopters so that photographers couldn’t fly over and take pictures.

Later on, they became parents to three kids: Jennifer Katharine, Rory John, and Phoebe Adele.

In 1997, he built a fifty-five thousand square foot home near Seattle Washington that sat on top of a hill with an amazing view of Lake Washington.

To be eco-friendly and save trees, they built the house mainly using old, reclaimed lumber. 

When guests entered the house they could wear a badge with a tiny microchip that contained information about their favorite things.” When a guest entered a room, their favorite music played. The lighting and room temperature are automatically adjusted to suit the person’s tastes. Even their favorite art was displayed on the walls! 

The house had everything you could ever dream of: a game room, a movie theater, and a fully equipped gym. The indoor pool, stretching sixty feet long, had music underwater, and you could dive beneath a glass wall to go outside. There was also a boathouse, a dock, and a guesthouse!

But his absolute favorite part of the house was the giant library. Inside that library, hidden behind a secret wall, was a notebook written by the genius Leonardo da Vinci over five hundred years ago. He paid $30 million to own it!

In the English language, there’s a special word for someone who donates a lot of money to help others: philanthropist. After making a ton of money for many years, Bill started giving away huge amounts of it.

He and his wife started the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation where they donated billions of dollars from their fortune. Their main question was, “How can we use our resources to help the most people in the best way?”

Back in the early days, every office desk had a typewriter on it. But now, thanks to the computer revolution that Bill Gates led, almost every office desk in the United States has a computer on it … and there’s a computer in almost every home. 

So what do you think about the story of Bill Gates? Pretty fascinating, right? Now when you see a computer and the software (or apps) that run on it you’ll remember one of the geniuses who helped bring it into the world. The world is waiting for new ideas to be born. What are some of your big ideas? Or even little ideas? Big ideas have to start somewhere!

The post History of Bill Gates for Kids appeared first on Bedtime History: Podcast and Videos For Kids.

Pearl Harbor, a bustling harbor and home to the United States Pacific Fleet, was suddenly the center of something huge. This harbor was like a floating city with battleships, airplanes, and brave sailors. That morning, when many people were still in their pajamas, the sky echoed with loud noises and thick smoke, and the sea was in chaos. The heroes of Pearl Harbor, the sailors and soldiers, were faced with a huge challenge.

The attackers came from far-off Japan, and they wanted to surprise America and stop it from getting in their way. They thought it would be easier to do this when nobody was expecting it.

But why did Japan attack? It all began with a long and complicated history. Japan was a country that wanted to grow and be powerful. They felt that they needed more land and resources to do that. So, they started a war with China, called the Second Sino-Japanese War, in 1937. They wanted to take over parts of China to get more of what they needed.

Japanese planes swooped down from the sky like a flock of angry birds. They dropped bombs and torpedoes on the ships and the harbor. It was very loud, and the explosions made the water splash high into the air. The ships in the harbor suffered greatly.

One of the most famous ships that was hit was the USS Arizona. This mighty battleship was almost like a floating fortress, and it was named after the state of Arizona. When it was struck, a huge explosion occurred, and the ship sank beneath the waves. The heroes on board, many of whom were trapped, became a symbol of bravery and sacrifice.

Another ship, the USS Oklahoma, also faced a terrible fate. It was capsized by the torpedoes and turned upside down. Brave sailors worked tirelessly to rescue their friends trapped inside the ship.

The USS California and the USS West Virginia were also damaged, but they would eventually be repaired and returned to the fight.

The USS Nevada, though heavily damaged, managed to get underway. It was the only battleship that could move during the attack. Its heroic crew fought hard to prevent the ship from falling into enemy hands.

The heroes of Pearl Harbor didn’t back down in the face of this unexpected and devastating attack. They were brave, just like superheroes in a comic book.

American fighter planes, like the P-40 Warhawks, took to the air to engage the incoming Japanese attackers. In this epic dogfight, American pilots displayed incredible courage and determination as they fiercely defended their homeland. These brave men engaged the enemy, maneuvering through the sky with great skill, attempting to protect their ships and harbor from further destruction. While they faced overwhelming odds, their unwavering commitment and heroism left a lasting mark in the history of the attack on Pearl Harbor, as they fought valiantly in the face of adversity.

Many heroes displayed great courage during and after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

First, there were the brave men who were on the ships and in the airplanes. They had to be quick and smart to defend their country. They didn’t give up, even when things looked tough.

Then there were the amazing nurses. These were kind and caring women who worked in the hospitals. When the attack happened, they didn’t run away; they stayed to help the wounded soldiers and sailors. They worked tirelessly to make sure everyone was okay.

One of these nurses was named Annie. She said, “I’m here to take care of you. Everything will be okay.” She smiled and gave comfort to those who were hurt. Annie and many other nurses showed incredible kindness.

The President at the time, Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke these famous words on the radio, 

“Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy… the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” In his speech, Roosevelt expressed the shock and anger felt by the entire nation. He went on to say, “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.” With these words, he assured the American people that they would stand strong and united against this unexpected attack, and they would eventually prevail. Roosevelt’s speech became a rallying cry, inspiring Americans to come together and work toward victory in World War II.

After the attack, people from all over America heard about what happened at Pearl Harbor. They wanted to help too. Many young men joined the army and the navy to protect their country. They were devastated by the attack on Pearl Harbor, especially those who lost loved ones. But it also made them very determined. The people of America decided they would work together and become even stronger. They remembered the heroes of Pearl Harbor, and they were inspired to do their best for their country.

In the years that followed, America and its allies joined together to fight Japan and the Axis Powers in what became World War II. It was a tough time, but the brave spirit of the heroes at Pearl Harbor lived on. Men and women across the country built airplanes, ships, and tanks. They planted victory gardens to grow food and were careful how they spent their money. Some donated their money to help the war effort. Everyone did their part to help their country.

With time, the heroes of Pearl Harbor became a symbol of courage and unity. They showed the world what it meant to be brave and never give up, even when times are tough.

In the end, America and its allies won the war, and they celebrated their victory. The heroes of Pearl Harbor, the men, women, and nurses, were remembered as true American heroes. They showed that when people work together, they can overcome even the biggest challenges.

Today, people still remember Pearl Harbor every year on December 7. They gather to honor the heroes and remember the day that changed America. It’s a day to think about the importance of peace and working together.

If you visit Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii today, you can still see the battleship, USS Arizona sunken just below the surface of the water. I’ve visited there multiple times and am always shocked to think of what happened there, but also spend the time honoring those who gave their lives in service to their country. And now the USS Arizona Memorial, floating solemnly above the sunken battleship, is a powerful symbol of remembrance and honor in the heart of Pearl Harbor. The memorial, which stands as a graceful white structure, is designed to gently straddle the ship’s sunken remains. Visitors from all over the world come to pay their respects and remember the heroes who perished in this historic tragedy.

As you step onto the USS Arizona Memorial, a hushed reverence fills the air. You can see the clear waters through the openings on the floor, a solemn window into the past. Inside, a wall bears the names of the brave men who lost their lives on the ship, a poignant reminder of their sacrifice. The memorial serves as a place of reflection and contemplation, reminding us of the importance of peace and unity. It’s a place where we honor the heroes of the USS Arizona and all those who came together during and after the attack on Pearl Harbor, illustrating the enduring spirit of resilience and togetherness.

The post Attack on Pearl Harbor for Kids appeared first on Bedtime History: Podcast and Videos For Kids.

Just like many life forms throughout the ages, the horse has evolved over time, although not as much as other species that made the big leap from ocean life to life on land.  But, slowly over the past 45-55 million years, the horse changed from having many toes, to one toe.  Around 4000 BCE, humans started capturing and training, or domesticating, horses for use in daily life.  They quickly became indispensable for everything from transportation to hunting and farming due to their amazing qualities like strength and speed.  They could go much farther and much faster than humans, and could shorten the length of time it took to plow fields, carry supplies, or hunt for food.  

In addition, the horses’ other qualities quickly became apparent, such as their excellent sense of balance, their intuitive fight-or-flight response, and their ability to sleep both standing up or laying down.  The young foals can stand and run very shortly after birth, unlike other animals, thus boasting a wonderful survival technique.  And most horses live for 25-30 years, but some have lived as long as 40 years, which is a wonderful bonus for horse owners using them for transportation.  Most modern-day cars don’t last that long!

And did you know that horses are divided into three categories based on their personalities?  There are “cold-blooded” horses, such as draft horses and certain ponies that are used for slow, heavy work or as therapy animals.  Then there are the “hot-blooded” horses, like race horses and those used in battle. They have spirited personalities, plus endurance, strength, and speed.  Finally, there are the “warm blooded” horses, a combination of the hot- and cold-blooded horses.  These horses are used for specific purposes such as dressage or shows.  In all, there are over 300 breeds of horses around the world today.  

Many us of may even know the words for various parts of a horse, like the flank, tail and muzzle.  But there are other amazing terms, too, like the “barrel,” meaning the bottom side of the belly; the “cannon,” which is the front shin, and the “croup,” which is the part of the back behind the saddle and before the tail.

So, now that we know a little bit more about the horse, including how it evolved and how it became domesticated by man, how did it impact railroads and outer space?  Well, this is a truly amazing story and dives deep into history.  So, let’s start at today and work our way backwards.

In the US today, the common measurement between railroad tracks is called the “railroad gauge,” and it equals 4 feet, 8.5 inches.  But that’s a really weird measurement.  Why not make it an even 5 or 6 feet?  Well, the US railroads were designed by Englishmen and they used that same measurement for railroads in Great Britain. 

That sounds reasonable.  So, why did the Englishmen use that specific measurement – 4 feet, 8.5 inches?  Because Englishmen also built wagon tramways across their country and that’s the measurement they used for the tramways.  Okay, so why did they use that specific measurement for wagon tramways?  Because when they were building wagons to be used on the wagon tramways, that was the measurement used for the width between wagon wheels.  The builders of wagons used one specific measurement because if they used different measurements for different-sized wagons, the wheels could snap off due to their wheels not fitting in the ruts in the road.  

So, then you may ask: who built the roads that were used by all the wagons?  The Romans, of course!  The Imperial Roman Empire built vast stretches of roads across Europe, including England, as well as stone bridges, water-bearing aqueducts, and beautiful buildings.  So, how did the Romans determine that specific measurement for their roads?  Easy – that measurement was the standard width of their chariots!  

So, now we’ve jumped back in time from railroads, to wagons, to chariots.  We now have to ask:  How did the Romans know how wide to make their chariots?  Easier still – the width of their chariots equaled the width of the hips of the two war horses pulling the chariots!  So, the width of two war horses’ hips have impacted chariots, roads, wagons, and railroads!  Isn’t that amazing?

And here’s something that’s even more amazing:  when we see a space rocket about to launch into space, we see it jutting majestically toward the sky, its rocket boosters blazing to life with a great, rumbling roar, spewing flames of orange gas as it launches thunderously towards outer space.  

And you may wonder how this could possibly relate to horses.  But it does.  And to understand it, we need to look at the engineers building the rocket boosters.  The engineers design and build rocket boosters in a large building or facility.  Once finished, the boosters are loaded onto trains and transported many miles to the launch site.  Along the way, the trains pass through narrow tunnels.  The engineers have to make the boosters just the right size to fit onto trains going through narrow railroad tunnels.  These tunnels are only slightly larger than the railroad tracks.  And what measurement is used for the width of these railroad tracks?  The width of two horses’ hips!

So, yes, it’s utterly amazing that the common horse has impacted cutting-age space transportation.  I guess we can say that a horse’s hips have controlled just about everything from wagon roads, to railroads, to space travel! What other creature can say that?  Dinosaurs?  Nope.  Donkeys, elephants, or camels?  No way.  It’s the amazing horse!

I don’t think I’ll ever look at a horse in exactly the same way again!  I’ll immediately think of their impact on wagons and trains and space rockets!  Aren’t animals amazing?!  I never knew that horses living centuries ago are still impacting life today, both on earth and in outer space.

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Imagine you’re walking down a stone walkway through one of the most beautiful gardens you’ve ever seen. Beautiful trees stretch upward and flowers line the pathway. Ahead you see a sparkling pool of water with lilies and a bubbling fountain. Past the fountain is a grand building with arched doorways and windows. It’s one of the tallest ancient buildings you’ve ever seen with multiple floors and is bustling with people who are talking and hurrying to and fro. This is a House of Wisdom in the ancient city of Baghdad, Iraq. As you walk past the pools of water and enter the House of Wisdom, you are greeted by friendly faces and warm smiles. The first room you enter has walls lined with shelves upon shelves of books and scrolls, all filled with stories and secrets of ancient philosophers waiting to be discovered. Some in the room are busy translating older stores into their own language. The air is alive with excitement and curiosity.

In the next room, you come across mathematicians who love to solve puzzles and play with numbers. They show you how to add, subtract, and do amazing calculations with their knowledge of math. 

In the courtyard of the House of Wisdom, artists are painting beautiful pictures and crafting intricate designs. They use vibrant colors and delicate brushes to create stunning works of art. Others are weaving beautiful rugs that tell stories of their faith and Arabic history.

As you explore further, you stumble upon a room where poets and storytellers gather. They recite beautiful verses and weave enchanting tales that transport you to far-off lands and imaginary worlds. You listen with wide eyes and imagination dancing in your mind.

Finally, you climb stairs up two floors to the top of the House of Wisdom where you meet a group of astronomers who study the stars. They have built special telescopes that help them see far into the night sky. They tell you fascinating tales about the constellations and planets, sharing their knowledge about the wonders of the universe.

The House of Wisdom is a place where people from different cultures and backgrounds come together. They share their ideas and learn from each other. It’s a place of friendship, understanding, and respect for everyone’s unique perspectives.

As you leave the House of Wisdom, you feel like you have become a little wiser and more curious about the world. You realize that learning is an exciting adventure that never ends. With a heart full of knowledge and a mind ready to explore, you step back into the world, ready to make your own mark and share your own wisdom.

Houses of Wisdom

Between 700 and 1200 C.E., Houses of Wisdom like the one we visited together were an important place of study and progress for the people of the Islamic Empire or Caliphate that ruled much of what today is the Middle East and parts of Africa. After the prophet Muhammed founded the religion of Islam around 600 C.E., the leaders who ruled the Islamic religion and empire were called caliphs. The caliphate wanted their empire to be a place of learning and wisdom, since The Qu’ran, their holy book and scripture, taught the importance of gaining knowledge, The leader at the time was named Harun al-Rashid. The wealth of the empire was used to build many of these houses in cities like Iraq to bring together teachers and scholars and people of science, to help advance the arts and sciences of the empire. In what is now Baghdad, Iraq, one of the most important Houses of Wisdom was built. 

Translations & Diverse Influences

One of the most important goals of this House of Wisdom was to translate ancient books to their own language. The Greek civilization existed hundreds of years earlier and was known for their brilliant teachers, poets, scholars, and scientists, and advances in many areas of knowledge. Their writings had been recorded on scrolls in the Greek language. The scholars of the Arab world wanted to understand and preserve the ancient wisdom, so they set about the work of translation of thousands of these scrolls. Paper was a new technology at the time, so the leaders hired many people to make copies of all of the books they had translated. The House of Wisdom became a huge factory of translating and copying all of the Greek scrolls into Arabic books. They believed it was deeply important to have this ancient wisdom a part of their own empire, so they could learn from it and build on with their own insights. 

Interestingly, it wasn’t just Arabs who contributed to the translations and new knowledge of the Houses of Wisdom. Persians, Jews, Christians, Iranians and people of other ethnicities and religions were also involved and translations were sometimes made into multiple langauges.

With all of the knowledge coming together in the same place through translations and the Houses of Wisdom, as you can imagine, the smart people of this time were able to take everything they were learning and put it to good use! For this reason, many amazing things happened during this time such as scientific discoveries, new inventions, and works of art.

One example, is an early version of the Scientific Method used by Ibn al-Haytham. The Scientific Method is a series of steps used by scientists today to make scientific discoveries. It starts with asking a question, doing some basic research, and then making a hypothesis, which is like a guess. Finally, you test the hypothesis, analyze the data, and draw conclusions based on the data. Ibn al-Haytham is called the “world’s first true scientist” by some historians.  

There were also great advances in mathematics during the Islamic Golden Age. Algebra actually comes from a Arabic word which means the “reunion of broken parts.” Geometry, trigonometry, and calculus were also advanced during this time by scholars such as Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī, Omar Khayyam, and Sharaf al-Din al-Tusi.

The study of physics was also advanced by scientists like Alhazen and Al-Biruni who made discoveries about light and optics. Alchemy was the study of base metals and helped to form the foundation of what would later become chemistry. Al-Biruni also estimated the radius of the earth, which was the best estimate at that time in history.

The study of astronomy was also popular during the Islamic Golden Age. Using translations of the Greeks, Islamic scientists were able to build on their discoveries and improve upon the astrolabe. The astrolabe (astro-labe) was a device used to make calculate the position of stars, moons, and planets. It was used to calculate the time of religious festivals and for mariners during the Middle Ages and later during the Age of Discovery.

Gifted engineers during this time invented new and useful devices. The Banu Musa Brothers wrote The Book of Ingenious Devices which described an automatic flue player which may have been the first programmable machine. The flute sounds were produced through hot steam and the user could adjust the device to play different sounds. They also described an automatic crank, valves, and a siphon, and other useful tools. They worked out of one of Houses of Wisdom, their work paid for by the powerful ruling Abbasid Caliphate.

Taqi ad-Din Muhammad was one of the earliest engineers to propose the use of steam energy and its application in the use of a steam turbine.

Along with all of these discovering and inventions there were advances in farming, healthcare in the form of hospitals, medicine, and surgery, the law, theology, philosophy, and map-making. 

And we can’t forget the arts with beautiful works such as the folk tales of One Thousand and One Nights, which tales that you might be familiar with such as Aladdin, which was made Disney animated and live-action films, and Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves, and Sinbad the Sailer. If you get the chance, be sure to look up and read some of the stories from One Thousand and One Nights, which are full of colorful characters and adventure. Beautiful poetry was also written durign this time in the Arabic language by Rumi, Hafez, Saadi, and Omar Khayyam. Many of these poets lived and were supported at the Houses of Wisdom by the ruling class during the Islamic Golden Age. Gorgeous caligraphy, ceramics, paintings, architecture and music were also created and shared widely during this time.  

The advances and creativity that flowed from the Houses of Wisdom during this time spread to other parts of the world, but sadly this magnificent time was eventually cut short when Ghengis Khan and the Mongol Empire invaded the Islamic Empire during the 13th century. While Islamic Empire was powerful, they weren’t prepared to face off against the Mongols who conquered Baghdad along with the Houses of Wisdom. 

We’re fortunate today to benefit from many of the advances during the Islamic Golden Age. From algebra to the scientific method, timeless tales from One Thousand and One Nights, to the beautiful architecture and poetry that spread out from the empire – we have the kings, scholars, scientists, and artists to thank for a period of true enlightenment where advances in knowledge were held in the highest esteem.

Take a moment to imagine if you lived during the time of these Houses of Wisdom. What would you have studied or created if you were one of the scholars or artists supported by the kings? If you come up with an idea be sure to click on the Share Your Thoughts link in the show notes. We’d love to hear from you! 

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