Happy Friday, everyone. Today’s historical highlights include some interesting bits of news from the world of archives and libraries, as well as articles about Amelia Earhart, pteridomania, fire escapes, and more. Read on!

To start off is the story of a puzzle tombstone. (By the way, if you enjoy ciphers, check out my cipher series where you can solve messages to reveal the beginning of my first novel, The Cause of These Disturbances.)

“Dr. Samuel Bean’s first wife, Henrietta, died just seven months after the two were married. His second wife, Susanna, also met her untimely end after only a few months of marital bliss. Bean buried his two loves side by side, erected the mysterious tombstone above them and didn’t tell a soul what it meant. He took that secret to his watery grave when he was lost overboard from a boat heading to Cuba.”

Speaking of mysteries, this article describes the ongoing search for Amelia Earhart.

In recent news, the personal archive of P.G. Wodehouse has been lent to the British Library. (This reminds me that I should read some Wodehouse… let me know if you have a favourite book of his.)

The score of a lost Christmas drinking song was discovered in Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries. 

Ever wanted to fly in a vintage military airplane? Here’s your chance.

This job posting sounds interesting (if you’re into Old and Middle English).

What do you think of history programs on TV these days?

Earlier this month a World War II Enigma Machine sold at auction for the world record price of $463,500. (Other items at the sale included “a piece of the original mold which led Alexander Fleming to the discovery of penicillin.”)

Read all about pteridomania: the Victorian craze for collecting and decorating with ferns.

The Victorians also had some crazy ideas for fire escapes.

I hope you found these historical highlights as intriguing and entertaining as I did. Enjoy your weekend.

P.S. Don’t miss my 2016 gift guide for history buffs.