99% Invisible Mini-Stories: Volume 17
7 snips
Dec 20, 2023 
Chris Berube, a producer, shares the quirky tale of the French Revolution's decimal time and its surprising public challenges. Kurt Kolstad, digital director, delves into architect Carlo Scarpa's unique design approach. Delaney Hall explores ghost kitchens, revealing how they revolutionize restaurant delivery. Finally, acclaimed actor LeVar Burton recounts the fascinating history of the Telharmonium, an early music streaming device. Together, these stories illuminate the intersection of creativity, history, and innovation.
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Decimal Time
- The French Revolution introduced decimal time, a system dividing the day into 10 hours, each with 100 minutes.
- It aimed to create a rational system but failed due to resistance and impracticality.
Resistance to Change
- Decimalization seemed rational but ignored human habits and existing systems.
- Changing time proved costly and inconvenient with no clear benefits.
Scarpa's Courtroom
- Carlo Scarpa, a Venetian architect, practiced without a license and was sued.
- He won the case because the judge, impressed by the courtroom Scarpa designed, dismissed it.
