Once desolate (but never truly abandoned), North Carolina’s Land of Oz theme park will reopen for six days this June (every Friday and the last Saturday). A wonderland built around The Wizard of Oz’s beloved world, yellow brick road included, the park debuted in 1970 and closed one decade later. In the ’90s, it would open its doors again—for only one day a year. Money …
1. The Kodak Ektra Smartphone is for Photographers Hot on the heels of the Google Pixel smartphone, Kodak has just announced its new Android-powered smartphone called Ektra—and it’s been designed with photographers in mind. For photo experts and enthusiasts, a few specs: the device boasts a 21-megapixel sensor behind an f/2.0 aperture. The touchscreen will have a dial upon which users can manually adjust settings …
A truly iconic piece of film history, Dorothy’s ruby slippers from 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz,” is in desperate need of conservation. The sequin-covered shoes (an anonymous gift to the museum in ’79) are some 80 years old and it shows. In order to preserve them, the Smithsonian needs some $300k and has launched a Kickstarter to make it happen. At the time of publish, …
