Lee Marvin Day

February 19 is one of the many lesser-known holidays we like to celebrate here at the Compound: Lee Marvin Day.

February 19 is the birthday of Lee Marvin. Lee Marvin, in addition to being one of the great screen tough guys, was a Marine private during WWII, and received a Purple Heart after being wounded during the Battle of Saipan. He was named "Lee" after Confederate general Robert E. Lee, who was Lee Marvin's cousin. He's buried at Arlington Cemetery.

Of his acting he said:

"I only make movies to finance my fishing."

We like to celebrate Lee Marvin Day with some bourbon and red meat. I'm still hoping for an invitation to join the Sons of Lee Marvin, but I'm old enough to live with disappointment. I understand that's probably not going to happen.

Happy Lee Marvin day!

The Future, the way it used to be: The Bell Rocket Belt

When people think of the future the way it used to be, they almost always think of the rocket belt. Specifically, the Bell Rocket Belt. Pictured to the right is the Bell Rocket Belt Traveling Team, relaxing poolside in Williamsburg, VA. The inventor of the Rocket Belt, Wendell Moore, is the fellow leaning on the umbrella stand.

The US Army Transportation Research Command and the press got their first look at the Rocket Belt at Fort Eustis, Virginia, on June 8, 1961.

Who got to fly this masterpiece? Hal Graham. Hal Graham, who in my book is one of the 10 coolest human beings in all of history, has a fascinating website devoted to the Rocket Belt.

Here's a link to the official US Army Transportation Museum page dedicated to the Rocket Belt.
Click here to see a cool picture of another individual flying machine concept, the solar copter imagined in 1957.

Now enjoy the educational video.

Sweet Dreams

Ignore the Christmas tree, and the snow in the background through the window. Just dig the understated cool and relax...