March 26th Today, I am...

...this vintage typewriter!

I'm an old Crandall New Model typewriter and said to be "one of the most beautiful typewriters ever made." I have a wonderful curved and ornate Victorian design and am lavishly decorated with hand painted roses, accented with inlaid mother-of-pearl!
Lucien S. Crandall was born in Broome County New York in 1844. He would become one of the great early typewriter pioneers during the 1860s and 1870s. He patented perhaps ten typewriters with six or so being manufactured. All of his designs are very intriguing and brilliantly imagined machines. The Crandall - New Model was his third typewriter to be manufactured but the first to have some success in sales. The Crandall was the first typewriter to print from a single element or "type-sleeve", well before IBM's 'Golf ball' of 1961. The Crandall's type-sleeve is a cylinder, about the size of your finger, which rotates and rises up one or two positions before striking the roller, achieving 84 characters with only 28 keys. The type-sleeve is easy to remove, allowing for change of font style and character size. One might well wonder why type-cylinder typewriters did not become the standard over typebar typewriters prior to the 1961 Selectric. The reason was speed. Even though typebars are many separate hammers striking away, each hammer has a very simple and quick action. In contrast, a type-cylinder is moved by a more complicated mechanical dance, which reduces its speed to respond to the keys being struck. The IBM “golf ball” was able to move very fast because it was light, well designed, and driven by an electric motor.

other vintage typewriters:

interesting typewriter facts:

* the typewriter and computers today use the same key layout

* the longest word that could be typed on a typewriter with only the left hand is stewardesses

* on a typewriter, surprisingly typewriter is one of the longest words able to be typed using one row of letters

* Christopher Latham Sholes intentionally placed letters apart to slow down typing so jamming would not occur

*  the earliest typewriters would have a bell to warn the typist that the was near the end of the paper

* every single typewriter was different in its own way, none of them were exactly the same

* Jack Kerouac, a fast typist at 100 words per minute, typed On the Road on a roll of paper so he would not be interrupted by having to change the paper; within two weeks of starting to write On the Road, Kerouac had one single-spaced paragraph, 120 feet long

* as of 2009, typewriters were still used by some U.S. government agencies, in fact, in 2008, New York City spent almost $1,000,000 to purchase a few thousand typewriters for use by the New York police department – mainly to type property and evidence vouchers on carbon paper forms 

Jack Kerouac, a fast typist at 100 words per minute, typed On the Road on a roll of paper so he would not be interrupted by having to change the paper. Within two weeks of starting to write On the Road, Kerouac had one single-spaced paragraph, 120 feet lon - See more at: http://petitev.com/category/typewriter-facts/#sthash.aL5u3pSu.dpuf

Jack Kerouac, a fast typist at 100 words per minute, typed On the Road on a roll of paper so he would not be interrupted by having to change the paper. Within two weeks of starting to write On the Road, Kerouac had one single-spaced paragraph, 120 feet lon - See more at: http://petitev.com/category/typewriter-facts/#sthash.aL5u3pSu.dpuf

Jack Kerouac, a fast typist at 100 words per minute, typed On the Road on a roll of paper so he would not be interrupted by having to change the paper. Within two weeks of starting to write On the Road, Kerouac had one single-spaced paragraph, 120 feet lon - See more at: http://petitev.com/category/typewriter-facts/#sthash.aL5u3pSu.dpuf

(facts found at Typewriter and Petite V)

March 24th Today, I am...

...this creative illustration by Mia Araujo!

My name is "Sleeping Sickness". I'm an acrylic painting on wood by Michelle Mia Araujo: "I am an Argentine-American artist, born and raised in Los Angeles. I have long been fascinated by the multi-faceted complexity that makes each person unique. I believe that all individuals contain an entire universe within them, which is invisible to the  naked eye. My work concentrates on giving shape to the unseen forces within my subjects-- their thoughts, memories, emotions, and complex histories. These qualities fit together to form a vast, rich inner landscape of identity and mythology for my characters. In May 2007, I graduated as valedictorian from Otis College of Art and Design, with a BFA in Illustration and a minor in Creative Writing. I am represented by Corey Helford Gallery in Los Angeles, and have shown my work in prominent galleries across the US." She draws inspiration from everything, but especially fairy tales, performance art, vintage photography, music, literature, animation, and world cultures.

other Mia Araujo paintings:

interesting acrylic paint facts:

* acrylic paint is a paint that is made from the combination of pigment and acrylic polymer emulsion, which contains acrylic resin and water
* the resin used in acrylic paints was first patented in 1915 by a chemist and inventor Otto Röhm from Germany
* acrylic paints began to be developed in the 1920s to the 1940s and were able to be bought commercially in the 1950s
* acrylic paints were popular during the pop art, abstract art and photorealism periods in the 1900s, and have remained very popular due to their flexible nature, providing less cracking; versatility; and their quick drying characteristics

(all facts found at AcrylicPaint)

March 22nd Today, I am...

...this interesting combination of modern patchwork with antique details armchair!

I'm from the Light Vintage Collection Of Armchairs By Moda. Moda has created something very unique, and stylish. This modern vintage furniture with contemporary flair is quite exquisite but also very eye-pleasing. It adds a character to every room. The seating furniture solution offered by the Italian company Moda Collection is fabulous and chic. It is suitable for a living room, bedroom even a vintage-like kitchen or hallway. These items are actually very desirable by many. This is not just another piece of furniture made only for sitting – a piece of furniture that no one will notice. It has a statement and it surely brings a lot of attention to itself. The armchairs are just dazzling. They are light-vintage and yet very contemporary. These upholstered furniture items are available in many different colors and fabric models. Classy, stylish, old-school and modern are all very different styles but when mixed together in this indescribably amazing way by these incredible artists, they become magnificent furniture pieces that look nothing less than marvelous works of art.

other armchairs by Moda:

interesting patchwork/quilting facts:

* originally, the Chinese and Egyptians were the first to sew three layers of fabrics together to form the quilt
* in the 11th century, quilted fabric was used inside armor to give warriors padding and protection
* in the 18th century, women had quilted skirts and petticoats and men had waistcoats of quilted material
* they are also used as decorative wall hangings in many homes
* quilts were made by hand, with a needle and thread until using a sewing machines became popular in the mid 1800’s
* they have much sentimental value and is a family tradition in many homes, passing the art from generation to generation
* quilts made by the Amish are considered the most popular and are most collected; the Amish quilts are often made with solid colors of varying shades as they feel printed fabrics are too “showy”

(all facts found at Makobi Scribe)

March 21st Today, I am...

...this gorgeous floral teacup!

I'm an antique tea cup with saucer English china tea set, could be purchased at Etsy for $159 but currently out of stock! Tea was introduced in Europe by the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century. The first merchant shipment arrived in 1637 but tea remained a rare good, together withother exotic Asian products, for several decades. Its demand grew steadily and it finally dominated the whole 18th century  overseas trade with China. At the beginning of the 18th century it was an aristocratic drink. England came to be a major destiny for the new drink. While both green and black tea where popular in China, black tea dominated the trade to Europe. Green tea was more difficult to keep fresh and easier to adulterate, so both companies and consumers had a preference for the fermented variation. A sweetened version of the beverage became popular in Europe, where it spread together with coffeeand chocolate. The new hot drinks, increasingly consumed along the 18th century, changed the daily diet in many countries. In the Netherlands, they were combined with bread to form an economic breakfast that replaced porridge, pancakes and beer and reorganized the daily meal system, from a two‐meal to a three meal regime. They also brought thehabit of eating sweets.

other antique teacups:

 

interesting tea facts: 

* tea bags were invented in America in the early 1800s, and were initially used to hold samples of teas brought from India

* there are many different kinds of tea, but they are all derived from just one plant: Camellia sinensis.; the color and variety of the tea (green, black, white, oolong) depends, however, on the way the leaves are treated

* at 11 o’clock in the morning, to stay alert, in England it’s common to take a break with a cup of tea and some cakes: Elevenses; before dinner, however, you can take ‘high tea’: a kind of reinforced snack

* «Can I get you anything? Coffee? Tea? Me?» is one of cinema’s best-known quotes; it’s the famously cheeky line uttered by Joan Cusack to Harrison Ford in the classic film Working Girl.

* tea leaves are a natural means of keeping mosquitoes away
* Oolong tea, a Chinese and Taiwanese tea with a fruity aroma, is also often called Dragon’s Tea: these tea leaves, when put in teapot, often start to look like a dragon
* The London Tea Auction was an institution which lasted for 300 years; tea was sold using the ‘by the candle’ system: bidding for lots went on until an inch of a candle had burnt away

(all facts found at Tea Facts A-Z)

March 20th Today, I am...

...this floral vintage hand fan!

I was used plenty in the old days, not so much today (except for special styles, like modern gothic or steampunk, etc.). I am an implement used to induce an airflow for the purpose of cooling or refreshing oneself. Any broad, flat surface waved back-and-forth will create a small airflow and therefore can be considered a rudimentary fan. But generally, purpose-made hand-held fans are shaped like a sector of a circle and made of a thin material (such as paper or feathers) mounted on slats which revolve around a pivot so that it can be closed when not in use. Since my invention many centuries ago, the folding fan became objet de désir, indispensable accessory, work of art, sign of distinction. Archaeological ruins and ancient texts show that the hand fan was already used in ancient Egypt and Greece. Christian Europe's earliest fan was the flabellum (or ceremonial fan), which dates to the 6th century. This was used during services to drive insects away from the consecrated bread and wine. Its use died out in western Europe, but continues in the Eastern Orthodox and Ethiopian Churches. Hand fans were absent in Europe during the High Middle Ages until they were reintroduced in the 13th and 14th centuries. Fans from the Middle East were brought back by Crusaders. Portuguese traders brought them back from China and Japan in the 16th century, and fans became generally popular. The fan is still especially popular in Spain, where flamenco dancers used the fan and extended its use to the nobility.


Here is a sample of how the fan was used to convey messages:

• If a woman hid her eyes behind an open fan she meant –– I love you
• If she shut a fully open fan slowly she meant –– I promise to marry you
• If she placed her fan behind her head she meant –– do not forget me
• If she dropped her fan she meant –– we will be friends
• If she twirled her fan in her left hand she meant –– we are being watched

other fans pictures:

interesting fan facts:

* inspiration for the earliest fans came from leaves or bird feathers
* fans were made out of silk, paper, sandalwood, tortoise shell and mother of pearl
* fans for men are smaller and more plain than the regular ones
* in former times the manufacture of hand fans was completely artisan; today also industrial processes are use
* a feather fan was included in the gifts given by Christopher Columbus to the Catholic Queen Elisabeth after his first trip to America

(facts found at Teacher Plus and All Handfans)

March 18th Today, I am...

...this incredibly carved old Russian window!

 

So, this is the wooden architecture typical for Russian North. It's one of the most remarkable forms of traditional Russian architecture. Wooden houses in Russia are adorned with decorative trim around the windows and on the roof, porches, and gates, which served to protect house from evil spirits, maintain well-being, attract positive energy, and ensure fertile soil for farming. The functional purpose of a traditional Russian window cover is to fill the gap between the actual window frame and the wall of a wooden house. In the 18^th century, window covers were an integral part of wooden architecture, and craftsmen employed a unique woodcarving technique, which has been preserved in regional traditions to this day. Almost every city in Russia has some fine examples of these covers, but, for some unknown reason, most people tend not to notice them. Unfortunately, wood eventually deteriorates if not properly cared for and combined with the availability of cheaper, modern construction materials like brick, stucco and concrete, these traditional wooden houses are disappearing on a daily basis.

other old Russian windows:

interesting Russian facts (a bit more than usual, sinc Russia is SO BIG!):

* Russians never shake hands over a door way, they believe it leads to arguments
* Russians celebrate New Year 2 times a year (01st of January and Orthodox Stule New Year 14th of January)
* Russia has borders with 15 countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Norway, Poland, Ukraine
* hospitality plays a significant role in the Russian mentality and  character, once you make friends with Russian people you will surely value this unique feature of the so-called «Wide Russian soul»
* Russia is bigger than Pluto
* Russia was the first to send dog Laika into space
* vodka was introduced in Russia in the period from 1448 to 1474
* Russians usually wear a wedding ring on the right hand
* in Russia men never give an even amount of flowers to a lady, it is a  bad luck and is associated with funerals
* when you have a visitor (friend or anyone else) you HAVE to offer them at least a coffee or tea with cookies, it's rude if you don't feed your guest
* in 1908 the Imperial Russian Olympic Team arrived to London 12 days too late for the games because they were not using the Gregorian calendar yet
* beer was not considered an alcoholic beverage in Russia until 2013
* foxes are domesticated like dogs by Russian scientists since 1959
* there was a "Beard Tax" in Russia, during Peter the Great's Reign, paid by anyone who had a beard
* there's a museum in Russia that hires cats to protect its artworks against rodents

(facts found at Fact Slides and  Tsar Events)

March 17th Today, I am...

...this golden antique telephone!

Such a beauty! I am actually as hard to get as you'd think, you can purchase me at AliExpress for a very reasonable price! With so many carefully shaped details full of flowers and gentle curves intertwined with leaves. Once again, we can relate this kind of type to the Victorian era (I can't help it, I think it's becoming my favourite period). The beginning of a phone goes a long way back to Alexander Graham Bell, an expert in sound, but not so much in electricity (hence the assistant Thomas Watson). The break-through, actually, happened by accident, while experimenting with two springs connected by a long piece of wire. Bell and Watson were in different rooms, each with a spring, thinking when one of them waggled their spring, the spring at the other end of the wire would waggle too. Instead, the sound of the spring twanging in one room travelled along the wire and could be heard at the spring in the other room. The Queen found the whole process ‘most extraordinary’ and wished to purchase a set of telephones.

other antique telephones:

interesting telephone facts:

* the original telephone greeting was 'Ahoy!', suggested by Alexander Graham Bell and later replaced with 'Hello!', suggested by Thomas Edison
* the very first phone call was: “Watson come here, I want you!" made between Alexander Graham Bell and his assistant Thomas A. Watson in 1876 in Boston
* the memorable Nokia tone for receiving SMS text messages is Morse code for ‘SMS’
* Bell’s patent for the telephone was modestly titled ‘Improvement in Telegraphy’
* the Italian-American Antonio Meucci invented a telephone in 1871, which was five years before Bell, but was too poor to renew his patent for it
* in the early days, telephone wires were ranked according to how tasty they were to mice and rats
* as a tribute to Alexander Graham Bell when he died in 1922, all the telephones stopped ringing for one full minute (14 million telephones in US and canada were affected)
* Mark Twain was one of the first to have a phone in his home

(facts found at Knowlarity and Express)

March 16th Today, I am...

...this mysteriously strange gypsy caravan!

I am a gypsy waggon or a vardo, caravan or living wagon, which is a traditional horse-drawn wagon used by British Romani people (Romanichals are thought to have arrived in England in the 16th century, they are an ethnicity of Indian origin) as their home. It is very common for us to be highly decorated, intricately carved, brightly painted and even gilded. It's a high cultural point of both artistic design and a masterpiece of woodcrafters art (today, even the simplest ones cost about $15,000). The heyday of the living wagon lasted for roughly 70 years, from the mid-1800s through the first two decades of the twentieth century. Not used for year-around living today, they are shown at the Romanichal (British Romani) horse fairs held throughout the year, the best known of which is Appleby Horse Fair.

here is a sketch with every vardo characteristic:

other gypsy caravans:

interesting Gypsies facts:

* there are two types of Gypsies – Roma Gypsies and Irish Travellers; both have a nomadic lifestyle but are separate ethnic groups
* large families are still very much the norm, with some couples having over 10 children
* as a nomadic people, the Romani didn’t write books or attend school to learn to read and write; instead, they’ve long maintained an oral tradition where poets and singers tell stories about the Romani and their culture
* the Romani have a rich musical heritage; their music has influenced jazz, bolero, flamenco music, and many classical composers including Franz Liszt
* Gypsies are not dirty; their culture is built upon strict codes of cleanliness learnt over centuries of life on the road
* most Romany girls are expected to get married between the ages of 16 and 18; according to tradition, a girl shouldn't have more than four boyfriends before getting married, and if a boy asks a girl out, she should refuse at least twice before finally saying yes
* traditionally, groups of extended families formed kumpanias (bands) which traveled together in caravans; each kumpania is headed by a voivode (chieftain) who makes decisions after consultation with a council of elders and the phuri dai (senior woman)
* many Roma women wear bracelets and necklaces made of gold, and headresses are decorated with coins; the display of prosperity and generosity towards others are considered very honorable
 
(facts found at Lifestyle, FRUA, and GRTHM)

March 15th Today, I am...

...this supercool steampunk watch!

I am made of brass all over, numerous filigrees with floral patterns, two feather wings and a set of leaves forming a second pair of wings, one Swarovski pearl, one resin cameo and a beautiful watch face with mother of pearl front. Steampunk is the science fiction of the steam age, re-imagined with the advantage of modern hindsight. Drawing upon the wealth of historical technology and the scientific fantasies of the Victorian and Edwardian periods, steampunk seeks to reinvent modern wonders such as the computer as the people of the age might have envisoned them. Following in the footsteps of Hules Verne and H. G. Wells, steampunk authors blend history, science and imagination into a world of wonder that might have been. Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that portrays a world where steam is king: without higher technologies to replace it, steam is the dominant source of power, leading to the creation of strange and new technologies which dominate an entirely new society.

other steampunk watches:

interesting steampunk fashion facts:

* goggles are the easiest way to identify a Steampunk
* if you meet a Steampunk, be prepared for florid dialoge last heard in 1850's England
* steampunk includes the supernatural as well
* the term "steampunk" itself, now a badge of honor, began as a putdown, a joke
* steampunk has always displayed a split personality
* Alan Moore's superb graphic novel The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and its sequels certainly represent the extreme heights to which steampunk will go in its tendency to appropriate past fiction into itself.

(facts found at Cracked and Huff Post)

March 14th Today, I am...

...this gorgeous wine and ivory embroidered jacket!

I am made of heavy wool in wine and cream. Thight fitting, hip-length with stand-up collar. Front  attached vest is ornately trimmed with maroon machine embroidery. The same trim is found on the shoulder, bottom of sleeve and on the back. Skirt of the jacket is shaped to fit over a bustle. I am from cca. 1890s and was worn by Jessie Webb Corwin's mother, Jessie Mason Webb. In the 1820s and 1830s the waistline deepened, returning to its natural position. As the natural waist returned the bodice required a tighter fit and in contrast the skirt became fuller and bell-shaped. There were several different sleeve styles but short puffed sleeves were generally worn for evening and long sleeves for day. Corsets continued to be worn. These were lightly boned and quilted, with a deep busk. Several layers of petticoats with frilled hems, sometimes of horsehair, were worn to support the full skirts. Some petticoats of the 1840s were feather-quilted. Later examples of the 1850s and 1860s were made of 'crin' and steel hoops.

other embroidered 19th century jackets:

interesting embroidery facts:

* the origins of embroidery are unknown, but early examples survive from ancient Egypt, Iron Age Northern Europe and Zhou Dynasty China
* the earliest machine embroidery used a combination of machine looms and teams of women embroidering the textiles by hand; this was done in England by the mid-1800s
* although embroidery has connotations of being the work of 19th Century housewives, it was originally a man’s profession
* the most common place to find an embroidered design on garments is on the left breast; the hypothesized reason for this is that in Western countries this is most effective at catching the viewer's eye as we read from left to right

(facts found at EDC and Slant Riggs)

March 13th Today, I am...

...simply beautiful Grace Kelly!

My name is Grace Patricia Kelly, I was born in 1929 in Philadelphia and died in 1982 in France. I was a highly popular actress in the 1950' Golden Age of Televison, schooled at American Academy of Dramatic Arts. I starred in movies such as Dial M for Murder, High Society with Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby and To Catch a Thief. With the release of Mogambo, I became a movie star, a status confirmed in 1954 with a Golden Globe Award and Academy Award nomination. In april 1956 I married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, to become Princess consort of Monaco, styled as Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco, and commonly referred to as Princess Grace. I retired from acting at 26 to enter upon my duties in Monaco. Me and my Prince Rainier had three children: Caroline, Albert, and Stéphanie. I died after suffering a stroke on September 14, 1982, when I lost control of my automobile and crashed. My daughter, Princess Stéphanie, was in the car with me, and survived the accident. In June 1999, the American Film Institute ranked me No.13 in their list of top female stars of American cinema.

other Grace Kelly pictures:

interesting Grace Kelly facts:

* Kelly took a bold stand against a racist incident involving Black American expatriate singer/dancer Josephine Baker, when a club in New York refused Baker as a customer. Kelly, who was dining at the club when this happened, was so disgusted that she rushed over to Baker (whom she had never met), took her by the arm, and stormed out with her entire party, vowing never to return (and she never did)
* despite all the luxury and the lavish lifestyle, the life of the Princess of Monaco was not all plain sailing; it has been well documented that Grace Kelly longed to return to her own life and suffered from depression
* Grace Kelley was the first ever actress to have her name on a US postage stamp, which appeared in 1993
* her father was not too keen on the prospect of having an actress daughter
* both Grace Kelly’s parents were athletes and her father was also a self-made millionaire
* before her marriage to Prince Rainier, Grace Kelly was engaged to be married to fashion designer Oleg Cassini, who was famous for being the man behind the ‘Jackie Look’ of First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy
* following the wedding, the screening of any Grace Kelly movies was banned in Monaco by Prince Rainier

(facts found at Waldina and Beauty and Tips)

March 11th Today, I am...

...this beautiful Art Nouveau hand mirror!

We've mentioned Art Nouveau before. The name came from an interior design gallery in Paris, the Maison de l’Art Nouveau. This style uses forms that resemble stems and blossoms of plants as well as geometrical forms. The coming of Art Nouveau can be traced to two specific influences: the first was the introduction, of the Arts and Crafts movement, that was led by the English designer William Morris. Just like Art Nouveau, this movement was a reaction against the cluttered designs of Victorian-era decorative art. The second influence was the latest vogue for Japanese art, especially wood-block prints, which swept up many European artists in the 80s and 90s, such as Gustav Klimt, Emile Galle and James Abbott McNeill Whistler. The Japanese wood-block prints consisted of floral and rounded forms, and “whiplash” curves, these were the elements that would eventually become Art Nouveau. Hand mirrors have a long history of use both as household accessories and as objects of decoration. For the most part, they were hand cut and beveled, then framed in an array of metals, such as German silver, brass, silver plate and sterling, some with a gold wash. 

other Art Nouveau hand mirrors:

interesting mirror facts:

* Narcissus was supposedly bewitched by his own reflection in a pool of water, and magic powers are ascribed to mirrors in fairy tales
* the concepts of the soul are often associated with mirrors, which results in a wealth of superstition surrounding mirrors (for instance, breaking a mirror causes seven years of bad luck because the soul which shatters with the broken mirror regenerates every seven years)
* mirrors also have a strong connection to spirits; they are covered when some dies, because according to some superstitions, a mirror can trap the soul of the person who dies
* a broken mirror to this day is said to bring seven years of bad luck; this curse goes back thousands of years ago to the period of ancient Romans
* the first mirrors were often sheets of polished metal and were used almost exclusively by the ruling classes
* silvering—the process of coating the back of a glass sheet with melted silver—became the most popular method for making mirrors in the 1600s
* in some severe cases, the images these mirrors reflected were similar to those we'd see in a fun-house mirror today

(facts found at Encyclopedia.com and  Mirror History)

March 10th Today, I am...

...this incredibly delicate wedding cake!

I am made by Sylvia Weinstock, an 85 years old wedding cake maker, the founder of world-wide known Sylvia Weinstock Cakes. In 1960, when they doubled the size of the kitchen, she began cooking and baking more elaborately so she could entertain. She took courses in French, Russian and Chinese cooking. It was a big thing then to show off when neighbors came over for dinner. She  especially loved to make desserts—pies, tarts, mousses and floating islands, which were meringues sitting on a pool of vanilla custard. She was motivated to produce not only beautiful cakes but also the most delicious cake. She uses crème de la crème, finest butter, heavy cream, fresh fruit and imported chocolate to create the most memorable delectable creations. "As a dessert designer to the stars, Weinstock has created confectionery statements for a host of celebrities and A-listers from Oprah, Robert De Niro, the Trumps, J.Lo, and Kim K. to the Kennedys, Clintons, and more. Her cakes have traveled around the world, often take weeks to decorate, have stood 6 feet tall and, at $30-a-slice and up, some have rung in at a whopping $70,000." (from InStyle)

other Sylvia Weinstock cakes:

interesting wedding cake facts:

* Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip had their four-tiered wedding cake of nine feet tall and weighed 500 pounds; the royal couple even cut the cake with Prince Philip’s sword
* Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones had a seven-tier Devil’s Food cake that was ten feet tall; it took 515 hours to make
* according to the Guinness World Records, the chefs at the Mohegan Sun Hotel and Casino in Conneticut built the largest wedding cake ever for their New England bridal showcase in 2004; the cake weighed 6.818 tons 
* a bakery in Chester, England, displayed the world’s most expensive wedding cake, valued at $52.7 million; the eight-tiered cake had 4,000 diamonds 
* according to an old legend, a single woman who sleeps with a slice of the groom’s cake under her pillow will dream of her future husband 
* in the heyday of the Roman Empire, before cake became a wedding standard, the bride and groom would get a loaf of barley bread
* the tiered wedding cake dates back to medieval times. Wedding guests would pile up scones, biscuits, and other breads, and the couple would have to kiss over the pile without it falling down. If they did it successfully, they were ensured a lifetime of prosperity  

(all facts found at CommunityTable)