Slide 2: Magna Carta fetches $21.3 million at Sotheby's auction
By Christopher MichaudWed Dec 19, 9:41 AM ET
A rare 710-year-old copy of the Magna Carta, among the most important historical documents ever to hit the auction block, sold for $21.3 million on Tuesday at Sotheby's. The document was bought by a Washington businessman who said he was determined to see it remain in the United States, where it has been on display at the National Archives and Records Administration since 1988. The last remaining copy in the United States and the last in private hands, the Magna Carta, one of 17 known to exist, was sold by The Perot Foundation, created by billionaire former U.S. presidential candidate Ross Perot to make philanthropic grants. The foundation acquired it from the collections of the Brudenell family of Deene Park in Northamptonshire in 1984. "It's a good day for our country," said David Rubenstein, a lawyer and founder of The Carlyle Group, a private equities firm, told reporters after he made the extraordinary purchase, adding that he had arrived just minutes before the sale and very nearly missed out. "I was determined to do what I could to see that the National Archives can continue to display this," Rubenstein said, noting that the 1297 document was the basis for both the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. "I am really just a temporary custodian of it," said Rubenstein, adding that he would not have to travel far to see the document as his office is just a few hundreds yards from the National Archives. Rubenstein said his Washington connections run deep, having once worked under President Jimmy Carter as a deputy domestic policy advisor.
Slide 3: He said he would "rely on the National Archives' advice" regarding the document possibly going on tour internationally, saying his wish was that it could be seen by as many people as possible. The Magna Carta, which Sotheby's called "the most important document in the world," established the rights of the English people and curbed the power of the king. The U.S. Constitution includes ideas and phrases taken almost directly from the charter, which rebellious barons forced their oppressive King John to sign in 1215. Sotheby's said the Magna Carta was ratified and reissued with each monarch who succeeded John. It was enacted as law in 1297 by the British parliament when it was reissued by King Edward I. The copy sold Tuesday is from 1297. Asked how high he was willing to bid for the Magna Carta, Rubenstein replied: "I don't think you can put a price on freedom." When it announced the auction in September, Sotheby's said the document was valued at up to $30 million. The final $21,321,000 price included Sotheby's commission. The record for a document or manuscript at auction is held by Leonardo da Vinci's "Codex" manuscript, which sold for $30.8 million at Christie's in 1994. Magna Carta, which has been in display at Sotheby's since December 7, will remain on public view at least through Wednesday.
Slide 4: "I'm Gonna Become An Aircraft"
Man Plans To Jump From Helicopter -- And Land Without Using Parachute (CBS) Jeb Corliss has leaped from buildings and other places in a single bound. Now, he plans to do it without the aid of a parachute. Corliss is a base jumper -- a person who jumps from high places -- but until now, using a parachute. Corliss has made jumps in 16 countries and five contents, more than 1,000 in all, from the likes of the Eiffel Tower and Golden Gate Bridge. In April 2006, Corliss was arrested after being stopped from making the Empire State Building observation point a jumping point. A judge dismissed various crimes he was charged with, but Corliss was fired as host of the Discovery Channel's "Stunt Junkies." His latest venture is trying to jump from a helicopter -- without a parachute. Believe it or not, Corliss isn't alone in that goal. Several other groups around the globe are eyeing it. Corliss says he'll wear a wing suit, which makes him look like a flying squirrel. He plans to landing on a specially designed runway he designed. It will cost up to $2 million. Once he gets the funding for his project, he says it could take up to four months to actually pull off. He anticipates trying in Las Vegas.
Slide 5: Man Selling Soul On EBay For £500k
Friday December 14, 2007 SKY NEWS An American man is selling his soul on the internet for £500,000 - to raise money for Christmas. Seller wants cash for Xmas He says the winning eBay bidder will receive his spirit in a glass jar as well as a contract "relinquishing ownership". He told buyers: "I've got no money for the Christmas holidays, and all I've got left to sell is my soul. "I'm not really using it lately - and selling it on eBay is better than letting the Devil have it." The seller from LA added: "Keep it for yourself, or give it to someone you know who needs one. Who knows what it may be capable of? "My hope is that with the money I can get a life and then buy it back." The starting bid is $1 million, but surprisingly he has yet to receive an offer. Soul in a jar But he is still hopeful of lucre because the auction has another day to run. The sale is reminiscent of an episode of the Simpsons, when Bart sells his soul to Milhouse. Bart laughs at the idea until he finds automatic doors fail to open for him. The lot is just one of a number of wacky items currently on sale on eBay - including a dollar bill with the face of Jesus on it.
Slide 6: A website called illdoanythingforamillion.com profiles a man who will literally do anything for $1 million, well almost anything. From the website: "Well what can I say? I want a million dollars and God knows I am not going to make that on my own. So I'm asking you, whomever you may be, to put up the cash. What will I do for it?? Anything! That's right anything but these 3 Rules: 1. I will not do anything to cause permanent disfigurement to myself or others. 2. I will abide by the laws of the country the acts are held. 3. I will not cause harm, be it Physical or Mental to any other living creature or human. Why Do I want to do this!? Well, it's simple! For a Million dollars of course! I could buy a house, pay off my debt, buy a round at the bar, invest it, help the people who have helped me... whatever! Doesn't matter, I just want a million. Do I work? Yes. But come on people, how many of you are up to your knees in debt!!! I'm tired of it! I'm a regular guy like you, your neighbor but you can call me Eric, or THE WAF I work in extreme places in Antarctica and the Arctic and all that darkness may have affected me somehow. Tell your friends, alert the news, because The Waf is in town. So! What do you say??? What would you want me to do for a million dollars?!"
Slide 7: This image provided by General Motors Corporation shows the 2009 Corvette ZR1, the fastest, most powerful automobile ever produced by General Motors Thursday, December 20, 2007 in Detroit, Michigan. The Corvette ZR1 features an all-new LS9 supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine targeted to produce 620 horsepower and approximately 595 lb.-ft. of torque. The ZR1 is expected to be the first production Corvette to achieve a top speed of at least 200 mph. The Corvette's chief engineer, Tadge Juechter , says the 2009 Corvette ZR1 may be the last in a long tradition of Detroit performance cars, endangered by stronger federal fuel economy regulations and limits on carbon dioxide emissions.
Slide 8: Batmobile sells for $297,000
The Batmobile, which was featured in the 1995 “Batman Forever” movie, starring Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey and Nicole Kidman, was recently sold by Warner Bros at RM Auctions. Though estimated at around $800,000, the buyer paid “only” $297,000. And if you think that’s much, you should know that the car cost around $2,800,000 to make ($2.5 mil for the mold, plus extra $300,000 for completion).
Slide 9: "Fastlane" Future Car - 1980 Replica/Kit makes PONTIAC GM This car is part of a $2.8 million dollar Universal Studios project. Contracted by Universal Studios and built by Trans FX. Trans FX is responsible for some of the wildest cars in the automotive industry including many well known concept cars built for big companies such as General Motors. This “Fastlane” concept car is built around a mid-engine GM chassis and is powered by a fuel injected V6. Because it is a GM chassis this car does have a VIN # and title and can be registered, which makes it unique to other concept cars that are destroyed shortly after they are built because of liability reasons. This one can be plated and driven on the street. It is an operational car with hydraulic Lamborghini style doors, hidden headlights, on-board fire extinguishing system, power steering, power disc brakes, heat and air conditioning. The body is a composite of epoxy and fiberglass with laser cut acrylic windows. The innovation of this car is amazing! I can personally say, after driving it on the street, there is nothing else like it in the world!
Slide 10: Ka-56 Portable Helicopter During the cold war the USSR decided that a portable helicopter was needed. It had to fulfill some requirements, as to fit inside a cylinder to be deployed wherever needed though a submarine’s torpedo. And they did the accomplished the prototype, unfortunately it did not flew as they could not get a proper engine. Technical data for Ka-56 Crew: 1 Take-off weight: 220kg Payload: 110kg Max. speed: 110kph Max. ceiling: 1700m Max. range: 120km
Slide 11: World's 'wurst' lovers?
German men are the world's worst lovers, according to a poll of 10,000 women travelers. They are branded selfish in bed while second-placed Swedes are too quick. Third are the "too rough" Dutch, followed by "too dominant Americans, "soppy" Welshmen and "too loud" Scots. Englishmen were voted 10th worst for being too chubby. Turks were sweaty, Greeks smelly and Russians hairy. Women from 50 countries were quizzed on social networking site WAYN.com. Spokesman Peter Ward said: "Who would have thought Welshmen were better lovers than Swedes? But I would remind girls, it takes two to tango." Italian men were voted best lovers followed by males from France, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Spain, Denmark, New Zealand, Brazil and Canada.
Slide 12: Woman catches fire during hemorrhoid operation
Published: 12 Dec 07 15:51 CET The Local / Sweden's News in English Sweden's welfare board has criticized a hospital in Stockholm after a 40-year-old woman caught fire during a hemorrhoid operation, Aftonbladet reports. While the woman's piles were successfully removed by doctors at Ersta Hospital, she ended up leaving the surgery in September with a partially burned backside. In addition to the hemorrhoids, the woman was also in hospital to have a lump removed with the aid of electrosurgery. The accident took place after a nurse had cleaned the woman's skin with an antiseptic solution. With some of the highly flammable liquid having trickled under the women's body, the patient caught fire when staff switched on the electrical current and began operating. By the time the nurse succeeded in putting out the fire, the woman had been left with three red burn marks. She later made several return visits to the hospital in order to be treated for her new injuries. The National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) has now ordered the hospital to draft a set of written procedures to ensure that patients are not exposed to similar risks in future.
Slide 21: A male foot deodorant ad from Brazil
Slide 35: Italian Coffee Ad
Slide 38: Foot Deodorant Ad From Brazil
Slide 55: MERRY CHRISTMAS
