The Wacky Races was an American animated cartoontelevision show for children, produced from 1968 to 1970 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. The show was inspired by films such as 'Monte Carol or Bust' and featured a bizarre collection of racers with their equally bizarre vehicles enduring races across country, rather than on a racing track. Perhaps most famous of the characters were the fiendish 'Dick Dastardly' - voice provided by Dave Willock - and his sidekick, 'Muttley' - voice provided by Don Messick - who went on to appear in their own cartoon shows. Other characters of note included the glamorous 'Penelope Pitstop' with her voice provided by Janet Waldo, who drove a pink-coloured sports-car come mobile beauty salon, and seven-dwarves inspired 1920s Chicago gangsters 'The Ant Hill Mob' whose voices were provided by Mel Blanc, driving their classic 1920's car. Research Wacky Races
Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist, philosopher and poet. He was born in 1803 at Boston, Massachusetts and died in 1882. Educated at Harvard, for five years he taught in a school, and in 1829 he became a Unitarian minister at Boston, resigning in 1832 because he could not sympathize with the formalities practiced in the church. He went abroad, working as a lecturer visiting England. Returning to America in 1833 he settled at Concord, Massachusetts
He was one of the original editors of the Dial, a transcendental magazine begun in 1840. Two volumes of his essays were published in 1841 and 1844, and his poems in 1846. His miscellaneous addresses had been published in England in 1844, and on visiting Great Britain in 1847 he was welcomed by a large circle of admirers. In 1850 he published Representative Men; in 1856, English Traits; in 1860, The Conduct of Life; in 1869, May Day and Other Poems, and Society and Solitude; in 1871, Parnassus, a collection of poems; in 1876, Letters and Social Aims. Emerson showed certain similarities with Carlyle, of whom he was a friend and correspondent. Their correspondence appeared in 1883. He was one of the most original and influential writers that the United States have produced, Research Ralph Emerson
The Waldenses were a religious community founded by Peter Waldo in 1170 when he renounced his possessions and wandered as a preacher of voluntary poverty. The group established themselves in the valleys of the Cottian Alps and denounced the authority of the Church of Rome. As a result they were persecuted by the Duchess of Savoy in 1475 who ordered a war of extermination against them. In 1487 the Pope announced a Crusade against them. In 1686 the Duke of Savoy exiled to Geneva those he failed to forcibly convert. Three years later a small band returned and in 1848 were granted full religious and political rights. Research Waldenses
The Great Waldo Pepper is a drama starring Robert Redford, Bo Svenson, Bo Brundin and Susan Sarandon in a story about a barnstorming pilot who travels around the USA during the 1920s performing increasingly daring stunts in an attempt to outdo his rivals. The Great Waldo Pepper was directed by George Roy Hill in 1975. Research The Great Waldo Pepper
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