William Kemmler, the First Person in the World to Be Executed by Electric Chair in 1890

William Kemmler (1860–1890) was an American produce merchant and convicted murderer who became the first person in history to be executed by electric chair. His execution took place on August 6, 1890, at Auburn Prison in New York.

In March 1889, Kemmler murdered his common-law wife, Matilda “Tillie” Ziegler, with a hatchet during a drunken argument in Buffalo, New York. He was sentenced to death under a new New York law that replaced hanging with electrocution, which was promoted as a more “humane” and scientific method.

His lawyers appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court (In re Kemmler), arguing that electrocution was “cruel and unusual punishment.” The court rejected the appeal, ruling the method was intended to be more humane.

On the morning of his execution, August 6, 1890, Kemmler was awakened at 5:00 a.m. He dressed quickly and put on a suit, necktie, and white shirt. After breakfast and some prayer, the top of his head was shaved. At 6:38 a.m., Kemmler entered the execution room and warden Charles Durston presented Kemmler to the 17 witnesses in attendance. Kemmler looked at the chair and said: “Gentlemen, I wish you all good luck. I believe I am going to a good place, and I am ready to go.”

Witnesses remarked that Kemmler was composed at his execution; he did not scream, cry, or resist in any way. He sat down on the chair, but was ordered to get up by the warden so a hole could be cut in his suit through which a second electrical lead could be attached. This was done and Kemmler sat down again. He was strapped to the chair, his face was covered and the metal restraint put on his bare head. He said, “Take it easy and do it properly, I’m in no hurry.” Durston replied, “Goodbye, William” and ordered the switch thrown.

The event was a grisly failure that lasted approximately eight minutes. A charge of roughly 700–1,000 volts was applied for 17 seconds. Kemmler was initially declared dead, but witnesses soon noticed he was still breathing and groaning. A second, more powerful jolt of approximately 2,000 volts was applied. This lasted for several minutes, causing smoke to rise from his head and the smell of burning flesh to fill the room. An autopsy revealed that the current had carbonized blood vessels and hardened the top of his brain.

Dr. Alfred Southwick, the dentist who invented the chair, declared, “We live in a higher civilization from this day on.” Witnessing the horrific scene, inventor George Westinghouse remarked, “They would have done better with an axe.”

The execution was a focal point in the rivalry between Thomas Edison (DC) and George Westinghouse (AC). Edison had advocated for the use of Westinghouse’s alternating current (AC) in the chair to demonstrate its lethality and discredit his competitor.

The electric chair in which Kemmler was executed on August 6, 1890.

40 Amazing Portraits of Michael Caine in the 1970s

Sir Michael Caine (born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite; March 14, 1933) is an English retired actor. Known for his distinctive Cockney accent, he has appeared in more than 130 films over a career that spanned eight decades and is considered a British cultural icon. During the 1970s, he solidified his status as a global movie star, transitioning from the “Swinging Sixties” icon into a versatile leading man capable of both gritty realism and grand adventure. While the decade was a “mixed bag” for his career, containing both all-time classics and notable flops, it was also the period when he established his most enduring personal relationships.

Caine began the decade by breaking away from his “cheeky Cockney” persona to play darker, more complex characters. His portrayal of the cold, relentless gangster Jack Carter in Get Carter (1971) is often cited as one of his greatest and most influential performances. Starring alongside Laurence Olivier in Sleuth (1972), this role earned Caine an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. A massive critical success where he played an adventurer alongside his close friend Sean Connery in The Man Who Would Be King (1975). In The Eagle Has Landed (1976), he played a German paratrooper (with a notably British-sounding accent) in this popular WWII thriller.

Toward the late 1970s, Caine became known for his “workhorse” mentality, famously appearing in several high-profile box office failures. Films like The Swarm (1978) and Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (1979) were critically panned but kept him in constant work. He balanced these with ensemble pieces like the war epic A Bridge Too Far (1977) and the comedy-drama California Suite (1978).

Michael Caine maintained his signature look of thick horn-rimmed glasses and sharp tailoring, though his hair and fashion softened into the typical styles of the 1970s. Despite his stardom, he remained open about his working-class roots and was frequently a guest on major talk shows like The Dick Cavett Show, where he playfully discussed his “ladies’ man” reputation.

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Susannah York: The Radiant Spirit of British Cinema

With her striking blue eyes and ethereal blonde beauty, Susannah York was much more than a quintessential “English Rose”, she was one of the most versatile and adventurous actresses of her generation.

Rising to prominence in the 1960s, York became a defining face of the British New Wave, delivering unforgettable performances in classics like Tom Jones (1963) and the haunting They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969), the latter earning her an Academy Award nomination. Beyond her delicate appearance lay a fierce intellectual depth, allowing her to transition seamlessly between high-stakes Hollywood dramas, avant-garde theater, and children’s literature as a celebrated author.

Susannah York remains a symbol of an era that valued both bohemian freedom and classical grace, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most captivating and sincere talents of the silver screen. Take a look back at the timeless charm and luminous presence of Susannah York through these vintage photos.

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King and Queen of the West: 30 Romantic Photos of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans in the 1940s and 1950s

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans became a legendary “King and Queen of the West” partnership during the 1940s and 1950s, evolving from on-screen co-stars to a real-life married couple and iconic television duo.

They first met in 1944 on the set of The Cowboy and the Señorita (Republic Pictures). Throughout the 1940s, they co-starred in over two dozen Western films, including hits like My Pal Trigger and Don’t Fence Me In. Roy was established as the “King of the Cowboys,” while Dale earned the title “Queen of the West.” They were known for their wholesome, family-friendly adventures and musical performances. 

After the tragic death of Roy’s second wife, Grace, in 1946, Roy and Dale fell in love. They were married on December 31, 1947, at the Flying L Ranch in Davis, Oklahoma, which was a filming location for their movie Home in Oklahoma. They raised a large, blended family of nine children, including their biological daughter Robin (who had Down syndrome and died as a toddler) and several adopted children. 

From 1951 to 1957, they starred in this highly successful television series The Roy Rogers Show (100 episodes). The show brought their Western justice and moral lessons into American living rooms. The series featured their famous animal stars, Roy’s horse Trigger, Dale’s horse Buttermilk, and their German Shepherd Bullet.

Dale Evans wrote their signature closing song, “Happy Trails,” which they sang as a duet to end every episode.

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The 1952 Delahaye 235 Coupe: A Final Masterpiece of French Luxury

The 1952 Delahaye 235 Coupe stands as a majestic “swan song” for one of France’s most prestigious automotive marques.

Launched in an era when the great French coachbuilding tradition was facing its twilight, the 235 was an ambitious evolution of the pre-war Type 135 chassis, redesigned to compete in the modern world. Its heart, a robust 3.5-liter straight-six engine, offered a refined yet spirited performance that lived up to the brand’s racing pedigree. However, its true glory lay in its aesthetics; featuring bodies by elite coachbuilders like Saoutchik or Antem, the 235 Coupe boasted sweeping, aerodynamic lines and an interior that defined mid-century opulence.

Rare, powerful, and undeniably elegant, the Delahaye 235 remains a poignant symbol of French industrial artistry, a grand tourer that refused to compromise on luxury. Explore the breathtaking curves and timeless sophistication of this rare automotive gem through the gallery below.

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40 Amazing Photographs From The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” Album Sessions in 1969

The recording sessions for Abbey Road in 1969 were the final time all four Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—worked together in the studio. Following the strained Get Back (later Let It Be) sessions earlier that year, the band reunited with producer George Martin to create a more polished, “carefully crafted” album.

Abbey Road was the only Beatles album recorded entirely on a solid-state transistor mixing desk (the TG12345), which provided a “softer,” clearer sound compared to previous tube-based desks. The sessions prominently featured the Moog synthesizer, introduced by Harrison, on tracks like “Because” and “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer.” Side two of the album is famous for its long suite of short song fragments, largely arranged by Paul McCartney and George Martin.

Despite a more professional atmosphere, friction remained. After a car accident in June, Lennon had a bed installed in the studio for a recovering Yoko Ono, which further strained group dynamics. By the time the album was released on September 26, 1969, John Lennon had already privately informed the band he was leaving, signaling the unofficial end of The Beatles.

Abbey Road was an instant commercial success, eventually selling over 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums. However, it received mixed reviews upon release. Some critics found its music inauthentic and criticized the perceived artificial elements of the production. Critical reception improved in the following years, and the album is now widely regarded as one of the Beatles’ best and one of the greatest albums of all time. Harrison’s two songs on the album, “Something” and “Here Comes the Sun,” are considered among the best he wrote for the group. The album’s cover, featuring the Beatles walking across the zebra crossing outside Abbey Road Studios (then officially named EMI Studios), is one of the most famous and imitated in music history.

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When Rowan Atkinson Met Princess Diana in 1984

Rowan Atkinson and Princess Diana had a famous and somewhat humorous encounter in 1984 during the Royal Variety Performance at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London. At the time, Atkinson was not yet “Mr. Bean” (that character wouldn’t debut on TV for another six years), but he was already a major star in the UK thanks to Not the Nine O’Clock News and the first series of Blackadder.

The meeting took place in the traditional line-up after the performance, where the Royal guests of honor—on this night, Princess Diana and Prince Charles—greeted the entertainers.

According to reports and recollections from the night, Diana shared a witty exchange with Atkinson. He was appearing in a West End play called The Nerd at the time. When Diana reached him, she reportedly joked, “Don’t you ever call me a nerd!”—referencing his play while flashing her famous charismatic smile.

Famous photos from the event show Atkinson looking uncharacteristically shy or “smitten” as he shakes her hand. Fans often joke that he looked like he was “experiencing bliss,” while Diana appeared genuinely delighted to meet the comedian.

Interestingly, 1984 was also the year Rowan Atkinson worked with a 10-year-old Christian Bale in the play The Nerd. Atkinson later became a personal friend of the Royal Family, particularly King Charles III. He was a guest at Charles and Camilla’s wedding in 2005 and Prince William’s wedding in 2011.