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Interesting Facts
- Around the world, Foster's Lager is touted as "Australian for Beer," and Melbourne takes special pride in its hometown brewery. Foster's premiered in 1888 and has become an international presence in the years since. The only problem with the legend is that William and Ralph Foster, the brothers who created the lager, were actually Americans, hailing from New York!
- In 1986, the art world waited with bated breath after thieves stole Picasso's "Weeping Woman" from the National Gallery of Victoria located in Melbourne. The responsible party billed itself as the Australian Cultural Terrorists and made multiple demands on the art community in exchange for the safe return of the painting. After two weeks, the painting was safely returned to the gallery after being found in a luggage locker at the train station on Spencer Street.
- Cemeteries don't usually make the best shopping destinations, but Melbourne has one that's been a city favorite for over 120 years. The Queen Victoria Market is actually built atop the city's first burial ground. It's reported that over 9000 skeletons lie underneath the city's popular outdoor market. A memorial to these departed souls stands at the corner of Queen and Therry Streets.
- In 1895 when discussing Victoria's capital city, famous American author Mark Twain said, "It is the largest city of Australia, and fills the post with honour and credit." This was true then and can still be said today, as Melbourne values its diversity and multiculturalism as well as its thriving cultural endeavors and tourism industry. In fact, the city leads the way in promoting community events and festivals, billing itself the festival capital of Australia.
- Australia's oldest known motion picture featured Melbourne and its horse racing culture. The film's subject is the Melbourne Cup and was shot on Cup Day in November of 1896. This historically notable film was first shown to eager Melbournites at the Princess Theatre about two weeks after being filmed at the race.
- Viewed from the Yarra River or the Rialto Observation Deck, Melbourne's skyline is diverse and quite impressive nowadays. However before 1958, all buildings were required to be less than 132 feet tall in order for fire ladders to reach them. When this rule changed, the ICI building (now known as the Orica Building) was built on Nicholson Street. It remained the city's, as well as the country's, highest building until 1961 when it was eclipsed by new construction.
- Melbourne bears the distinction of being the place where the world's first feature film was created in 1906. "The Story of the Kelly Gange" was filmed in Melbourne and is reputed to be the first full-length feature, over one hour in length. The film was shown at the city's Athenaeum Theatre until it was banned in 1910 by city leaders who thought that it motivated watchers to commit crimes.
- Melbourne hit its stride during the 1850's gold rush that brought people from all over the world looking for their piece of the pie. Immigrants flooded the city, bringing with them various aspects of their culture, which have meshed to create the diverse Melbourne that exits today and has given it the long-standing moniker of "the jewel of the Southern Hemisphere."
- Immediately after World War II, Melbourne experienced an insurgence of European immigrants. People came from Italy, Greece, Poland, Turkey and Yugoslavia. In fact, so many came from Greece that Melbourne is said to have more direct Greek descendents than any other city in the world except Athens.
- Never judge a box by its cover! The first "black box" flight recorder was created by David Warren, an inventor from Melbourne. Australian officials dismissed Mr. Warren's box which was originally produced at the Aeronautical Research Laboratories in Melbourne in 1956. However, the British thought Mr. Warren just might be on to something and accepted the designs for his recorder. This design then served as the impetus for the usage of air flight recorders worldwide.
