CoolHistory
Florida’s PC Revolution
On August 12, 1981, IBM introduced its first personal computer, the IBM Model 5150. Developed by a small team at IBM’s…
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CoolHistory
Meet Mr. Sun
When photographer Jack Swenningsen arrived in St. Petersburg in 1948, he quickly discovered that promoting the Sunshine City required more than…
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CoolHistory
Wade Boggs’ Historic 3,000th Hit
On August 7, 1999, Tampa Bay baseball witnessed one of the sport’s most unforgettable milestones. Playing before a home crowd at…
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CoolHistory
Lodwick’s Legacy
When publicity expert John Lodwick arrived in St. Petersburg in 1918, he believed attracting visitors required more than traditional advertising. It…
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CoolHistory
The Chickee: An Innovation of Adaptation
At first glance, a traditional Seminole chickee may look unusual. Unlike many homes, it has no walls, yet this open-air design…
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The Sunshine Offer
Long before social media campaigns and tourism commercials, the Evening Independent newspaper found a simple way to convince the world that…
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Marjorie Greene Graff: Passing the Plate to a New Generation
Marjorie Greene Graff has spent decades helping keep the tradition of printmaking alive in Pinellas County. A trained printmaker and educator,…
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Florida in Print
Beginning in the late nineteenth century, colorful paper labels transformed ordinary wooden citrus crates into miniature works of art. Measuring about…
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A Record-Tying Night for the Devil Rays
On July 29, 2006, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays delivered one of the most memorable victories in franchise history. Playing at…
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Babe Zaharias: From Olympic Gold to Golf Greatness
In the early 1950’s, visitors came to St. Petersburg for more than sunshine and sandy beaches. They also came to see…
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Happy 727 Day! The History of Tampa Bay’s Iconic Area Code
Today, the 727 area code is instantly recognizable across Pinellas County, but it is a relatively recent addition to Florida’s history.
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From Pharmacy Press to Pulitzer Prizes: The Story of the Tampa Bay Times
On July 25, 1884, a small newspaper began publication that would eventually become one of Florida’s most respected news organizations. Founded…
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