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 Interesting Facts March 11, 2005 10:46 PM

-TIE- Did you know that Croatia is the mother country of the necktie? Many events in the history of mankind eventually fade into oblivion, but others, leave their indelible marks for the entire world to see. More than 350 years ago, the Croats initiated one such influential occurrence. Although started in the 17th century in a small region on the Adriatic coast, the consequences of this event are still very much evident the world over. 600 million people now wear the ubiquitous symbol of Croatia around their necks, close to their hearts. The traditional outfit of these Croats aroused interest on account of the unusual and picturesque scarves distinctively tied about their necks. The scarves were made of various cloths, ranging from coarse material for common soldiers, to fine cotton and silk for officers. This elegant "Croatian style" immediately enamoured the French, who were delighted by the new article of clothing, which had been previously unknown in Europe. For the gallant French officers in the thirty-year war, the advantage of the Croatian neck scarf was its enviable practicality. In contrast to the lace collar that had to be kept white and carefully starched, the scarf was simply and loosely tied around the neck without need for any additional care. Just as elegant as the stiff, high collars, the new scarves were less awkward, easier to wear and remained visible beneath the soldiers’ thick, long hair. Around the year 1650, during the reign of Louis XIV, the Croatian scarf was accepted in France, above all in court, where military ornaments were much admired. The fashionable expression, ’a la croate’, soon evolved into a new French word, which still exists today: la cravate. This innovation symbolized the height of culture and elegance. On his return to England from exile, Charles II brought with him this new word in fashion. Over the next ten years, this fashion novelty spread across Europe, as well as across the colonies on the American continent..." Since that time in the 17th century, derivatives of the word croata have been present in many languages, (i.e., English, German, French, Portuguese, Italian), meaning cravat or tie. *Or kravata on Croatian*  [ send green star]
 
 March 11, 2005 11:00 PM

-THE FIRST FOUNTAIN PEN IN THE WORLD-

Slavoljub Eduard Penkala was a Croatian engineer and inventor who held over seventy patents. Slavoljub Penkala background was in chemistry, however, he is best known as the inventor of the first mechanical pencil first named the "automatic pencil", which he invented in 1906. Penkala started a factory called Penkala-Mostero for the manufacturing of his pens and pencils.

Other inventions Slavoljub Penkala was noted for was the first solid-ink fountain pen in 1907, and the first Croatian two-seat airplane in 1909. He also patented a hot water bottle, detergent, a rail-car brake, and a anode battery. One of his more controversial inventions was a tonic medicine called "Radium Vinovica" that was supposed to cure rheumatism.

Slavoljub Penkala was born in Liptowsky St. Mikulaš (now Slovakia) in 1871 and died in 1922 in Zagreb of pneumonia at the age of 51.

useful link:http://www.penkala.hr/


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SEISMOLOGY RESEARCH March 11, 2005 11:28 PM

-MOHO-or Mohorovicich Discontinuity-seismology research

(Andrija Mohorovichich was a prominent Croatian scientist in the field of seismology and meteorology at the end of the nineteenth and in the early twentieth century.)

On October 8, 1909, earthquake struck, with an epicentre in the Pokuplje region 39 km southeast of Zagreb. A number of existing seismographs were installed before and provided invaluable data upon which he made new discoveries. He concluded that when seismic waves strike the boundary between different types of material, they are reflected and refracted, just as light is when striking a prism, and that when earthquakes occur, two waves—longitudinal and transversal—propagate through the soil with different velocities.

By analyzing data received from more observation posts, Mohorovichich concluded that the Earth consists of surface layers above an internal core. He was first in the world to establish, (based seismic waves), surface and velocity discontinuity that separates the crust of the planet Earth from the mantle. There are depths where seismic waves do change speed and also there is change in chemical composition. From the data collected he estimated the thickness of the upper layer (crust) to be 54 km. We know today that the crust is 5-9 km deep beneath the ocean floor and 25-60 km beneath the continents carried on tectonic plates. This layer is called the Mohorovicich Discontinuity or Moho.

Afterward, the scientists confirmed the existence of this discontinuity under all the continents and oceans. Mohorovichich's thoughts and ideas were visionary and truly understood many years later (an earthquake's effects on the buildings, deep-focus earthquakes, locating earthquake epicenters, the Earth models, seismographs, harnessing the energy of the wind, hail defence).

He retired in 1921. Mohorovichich is one of the most prominent earth scientists in 20th century. In the year 1970, a Moon crater (77 km in diameter) on its dark side was named in his honor. In 1996, an Asteroid 8422 with a period of 5 years and 38 days was also named after him—Mohorovichich.

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anonymous  March 20, 2005 5:09 AM

Thank you dear MAJA for inviting me to your group...I had a too many nice memories in  Zagreb..I really don't know what the other's opinions about Crotia.but i can say that  there is a greatland...By the way i will visit Zagreb again within a week ..

Hugs from me..Ozer

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 March 20, 2005 9:42 AM

Hello Ozer&welcome to the group!
Well, I am glad to hear that
How long are you going to stay in Zagreb? Have a good time!

Warmest regards!
Maja
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anonymous Funny thing March 25, 2005 5:33 AM

About the necktie. Almost whole Turkey knows the origin of the necktie due to a competition. One of the question was this and the person was about to earn a lot of money. unfortunately he answer it wrong and lost it. everybody was upset in front of their tv. but now almost everybody knows. this issue was also finds a wide place in the media!!!

wanted to share this.

ciao

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 August 01, 2005 4:48 AM

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He's so cute... August 23, 2005 8:31 AM

The best reason for watching ER comes from Croatia:

GORAN VISNJIC

September 9, 1972
Sibenik, Croatia

Goran Visnjic certainly didn't start his career like most in Hollywood's acting community. In fact, his community consisted of a small Croatian town off the Adriatic Sea where he whiled away his childhood with two brothers.
      From early on, Goran found himself leaning towards the performing arts, and the youngest son of a bus driver father and salesclerk mother, was reciting poetry and landing lead roles in school plays by the time he was nine. At twenty he joined the prestigious Academy Of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb, but not before becoming a veteran of two military forces. Visnjic, a trained paratrooper, finished his required military service in the Yugoslav Army at age eighteen, then enlisted, along with one of his brothers, in the Croatian Army when war erupted in the Balkans. Fortunately, all of his family members came out of the frightening turmoil unscathed.
      Once the war was over, he dedicated himself to his first love...acting. At twenty-one he was cast as Laertes in a traveling production of "Hamlet", with the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, beginning a six year cross-country stint that would expose him to audiences throughout his country. It would also go on to earn him three national Best Actor awards, including the Orlando (the Croatian equivalent of a Tony).
      In 1997, director Michael Winterbottom cast him as a translator-driver for a British news team in the highly acclaimed drama "Welcome To Sarajevo". American audiences had their first taste of the six foot four Croatian and they wanted more.
      Voted as one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful in 2000, Goran moved into the role of Nicole Kidman's abusive boyfriend in "Practical Magic", but it was only after landing the role in the hospital drama "ER" that his popularity grew along with his fanbase.
      In 1999 Goran married sculptor Ivana, also from Croatia. On his off time he likes fencing, swimming, diving, and four-wheeling in the hills near his L.A. home.

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 August 24, 2005 1:23 AM



But what is most important to know is that he is a noble man
who has joined with PETA few years ago in launching its first
anti-fur campaign for Eastern Europe.




Visnjic&his dog Bugsy

Way to go!
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 September 02, 2005 3:36 AM

I didn't know about Goran and PETA


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All true & pretty cool!...Not bad for a little Country no one heard of a decade ago!! : ) September 28, 2005 6:35 PM

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 June 25, 2007 1:44 PM

Hello everyone,nobody invited me,I just found group and joined,I am looking forward to be here,it seems interesting group,there is no introduction thread,it's only to poping in and say "Dobra Vecer",Greetings from Gothenburg,Sweden,Ljepi pozdrav iz Svedske,Fromto  [ send green star]  [ accepted]
 
 July 05, 2007 11:22 AM

Hello Florika and welcome to our little group! We are glad to have you here and although the group hasn't beenb very active latelys due to different obligations we are always happy to see new people around!

Best regards

Maja   [ send green star]
 
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