Gondolas! A History of the Venetian Gondola

Gondolas!

Ah, Venezia. There are gondoliers everywhere, but it's a bit pricey to hire one for half an hour. Still well worth it, especially if you are either with a group or trying to impress someone.

Laura Morelli with the assistance of Andrew Foerster provides a great lesson about the history and present status of the Venetian gondola in this animation from TED-Ed.

From the youtube page:

It’s hard to imagine Venice without the curious, banana-shaped gondolas that glide down the canals. How did these boats come to be the trademark transportation of Venice? Laura Morelli details the history of the gondola, explaining why these boats were needed, the painstaking process by which they were made and why they have slowly begun to fade from the once-crowded canals. 

Lesson by Laura Morelli, animation by Andrew Foerster.

2014

"The Science of Symmetry" from TED-Ed

Symmetry

This animation from TED-Ed explains the importance of symmetry in science and biology. This probably isn't something you've ever thought about - which is why it's such a fascinating video.

The video explains bilateral vs. radial symmetry, plant symmetry, animal symmetry, and how some animals have no symmetry at all (coral). This is all important in the study of developmental biology.

Kelleher doesn't mention this in the video, but studies have shown that in humans, one of the prime elements of attraction that individuals have for others is the symmetry of their faces. Yes, it really is that simple.

As with all TED-Ed animations, this one goes quickly from the simple to the complex and provides a little bit of everything on the topic.

From the youtube page:

When you hear the word symmetry, you might think generally of triangles, butterflies, or even ballerinas. But defined scientifically, symmetry is "a transformation that leaves an object unchanged." Huh? Colm Kelleher unpacks this abstract term and explains how animal's distinct symmetries can tell us more about them -- and ourselves. 

Lesson by Colm Kelleher, animation by Andrew Foerster.