This Week in Book History

Much like last time, this entry of book history has precious little to do with books. But it made me laugh, so I thought I'd pass it along. On October 24, 1901, Anna Edson Taylor became the first person ever to survive going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. The barrel was specially designed for the feat and equipped with a padded bottom and some harness contraption. In fact, the barrel itself was so stalwart, a reporter at the scene remarked that Mrs. Taylor "seems to be taking a lot of credit that belongs to the barrel."

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