A list of curious facts

One: Just in time for ‘Gladiator II’, Airbnb is offering battles at the Colosseum—so you can pretend to be one. The after-dark experience lasts three hours—and promises to feel like the real thing (without the loss of life or limb, presumably). Authentic armour, included. The experience is limited to two groups of 16.

Of course, many are appalled at this tasteless exploitation of what is—in essence—a nasty bit of human history:

The idea of cosplaying the violence done to the bodies of professional gladiators, usually enslaved or lower class citizens or immigrants, on the site of so much violence as a ‘side benefit’ of your Airbnb stay… seems to me to be the wrong kind of engagement with ancient Rome. 

See the promo vid below. The lead image offers a glimpse of the arena. (Washington Post)

Two: Until 2008, experts dated the brassiere back to the nineteenth century—part of a movement away from life-destroying corsets. But in 2008, archaeologists discovered two 15th-century linen “bras”: “The 600-year-old breast bags found at Lengberg Castle had cups like modern bras to shape and support the breasts individually.”

Of course, there are older references to bandeau-like garments in ancient text—including the ‘kanchuka’ in 14th century literature. The very first mention in Indian literature dates back to the rule of King Harshavardhana in the 1st century AD! Homegrown has more on the history of bras in India. (National Geographic)

Three: Here’s something to consider when you travel to the US, France, UK—or other countries that have drinkable tap water. Scientists have found it is cleaner—and safer—than bottled water. Fact: “between 10 and 78% of bottled water samples contain contaminants, including microplastics and various other substances including phthalates.” The reason: Tap water is far more strictly regulated than the bottled kind in these countries.  Something to think about when you travel overseas. 

Reminder: Plastic bottles are the second most common pollutant in the world—with an estimated 1 million bottles bought every minute worldwide. Only 9% of them are recycled. (BBC Science Focus)

Bonus fact: The Louis Vuitton flagship store in New York has reinvented scaffolding—remaking it as a towering style statement. As it tears down the 1930s building currently at the site, it will be covered by a 15-story stack of six Louis Vuitton trunks:

That signature “Trianon Grey” textured canvas? It’s actually a custom-printed fabric scrim mounted onto pipe scaffolding, which covers the glass facade of the brand’s former Manhattan flagship. No detail was spared: the six “trunks” feature 840 laser-cut-steel rivets and a 5,000-pound, 40-foot-long black handle, all rendered from 3-D scans of actual Vuitton trunks. The approximately 7-foot-tall corners were hand-welded in chrome-plated steel, while the 18 steel latches and locks were each laser-cut. 

Behold the wonders of luxury construction below. Lots more pics at StupidDope. (Wall Street Journal, paywall, Robb Report)