After taking a brief break from blogging, I am going to attempt to post more regularly about what's happening in the world of history and perhaps delve into the wonderful world of archaeology.
Movies, television shows, and miniseries set in the past are very popular [nostalgia for better days I suppose, when people made their own butter]. Many strive for historical accuracy, although a lack of finances and sometimes just plain ignorance hinder these attempts. I distinctly remember watching an episode of That 70's Show when the gang went to Canada and Fez was stopped by the Mounties. A map of Canada was prominently displayed in Mountie Headquarters. However, someone in charge of props or sets was unfamiliar with 1970's Canadian geography and the map contained Nunavut, which was recognized as a territory in 1999.
Fans of the hit television show Mad Men will be familiar with creator Matthew Weiner's dedication and passion for getting the historical details regarding the 1960s sets, costumes, and events correct. And he'd better be accurate, considering people with really big televisions and a lot of time on their hands are carefully analyzing every detail presented on the screen. A recent article from The New York Times explores the research that goes into creating Mad Men, which includes collaboration with the local historical society.
However, as mentioned above, the show is not always perfect and unfortunately, since it is show biz, sometimes appearance wins out over historical accuracy.
*picture from amctv.com
