Nova

I watched a Nova episode last night on the building of Cathedrals. I have a real passion for Medieval and Gothic Art. If I never found a permanent teaching job, I was going to consider going for my master's in Art History to specialize in that. I can sniff out a church in London like no one else - just ask the hubby.

This special went into the problems of achieving the heights and avoiding collapse by relieving stress on the supporting arches. The clincher was some new insight into where the builders came up with their measurements. There is now speculation that they devised their measurements by looking to the Bible. It was fascinating information - I learned that there were different measurements back then - but nothing else was new. I wanted them to delve so much more into it. Look at more than just two or three cathedrals in France. Look at the measurements and proportions around Western Europe, where this frenetic building boom took place.

I had also thought I would stream it and show parts to some of the classes - work into photo somehow - but hubby is the test. If the narrator is too dry to keep him from nodding, my students will lose interest. Great test subject!