History

John Steinbeck: Writer and Pipe Smoker

September 15, 2023 by Zachary Podl

9 Comments

One of the most fascinating elements of writing is its simplicity. A pencil, paper, and a little creativity is all one needs to get started. However, some might prefer a few additional accommodations, such as background music or a comfortable chair. For John Steinbeck, a pipe packed with tobacco was a welcome ... Read More

Pipe God of War: The Story of Semyon Danilovich Nomokonov

September 1, 2023 by Gabriel Bass

20 Comments

The Second World War has countless stories of heroes who displayed impressive heroism to defeat the forces of fascism, many of whom were known pipe smokers. Few, however, have a story as unique as that of the Soviet sniper Semyon Danilovich Nomokonov, who terrified the Nazis as few others could, earning the respect of ... Read More

The History of the MacArthur Corn Cob Pipe

August 25, 2023 by John McElheny

9 Comments

Throughout pipe making's many centuries of history, myriad mediums have been employed for carving the familiar smokers. From stone and clay to briar and morta, the list is extensive. One of these materials stands out among the others, not just thanks to its charming and humble physical substance, but its distinctly ... Read More

The Victory Cigar: The Story of Red Auerbach

August 11, 2023 by Zachary Podl

1 Comment

The top professional athletes have a singular goal: ending the season with a championship win. It takes years of practice, long hours in the gym, and an unrelenting drive to defeat every opponent and call themselves the best. Once they reach that peak and can celebrate their accomplishments, there is something that ... Read More

Missouri Meerschaum: 150 Years of American Corn Cob Pipes

July 28, 2023 by Truett Smith

20 Comments

While pipes in general hold a firm place in the history of numerous countries, corn cob pipes in particular are intricately tied to American history, and cob pipes have been a mainstay of Americana for well over a century. ... Read More

America's First Artisan Pipe Makers

July 13, 2023 by Gabriel Bass

7 Comments

When we think of artisan pipe makers these days, the image conjured is likely of a craftsman painstakingly shaping a block of briar amid a panoramic scene of lathes and belt sanders. The prevailing narrative is that pipe making was largely an industrial process prior to the mid-20th century, when Sixten Ivarsson ... Read More

A Closer Look at Peterson's Carroll of Carrollton Pipes

June 20, 2023 by Chuck Stanion

1 Comment

The Founding Fathers of the United States were many, and not all of their names are as well remembered as those of George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, or Thomas Jefferson, though their contributions were of enormous influence. Among the important names that have waned in our memories is Charles ... Read More

New Netherland, William Kieft, and the Smoker's Rebellion

May 17, 2023 by Davin Hylton

1 Comment

Following their succession from Spanish rule in 1579, seven Dutch provinces formed the United Provinces of the Netherlands and became the first fully independent Dutch state. What followed was the Dutch Republic's "Golden Age," a time when, according to the New York State Library's What Was New Netherland? ... Read More

Vincent van Gogh and Pipe Smoking

April 27, 2023 by John McElheny

9 Comments

Vincent van Gogh remains one of the most famous and influential figures in the history of western art, with his creative output continually impressing modern critics and capturing the attention of even the most casual of art fans. The Dutch painter's work is displayed around the world in museums and galleries ... Read More

Saint-Claude, France, Birthplace of the Briar Pipe

April 12, 2023 by Davin Hylton

Situated along the Swiss border, Saint-Claude, France, stands in the heart of the Jura mountains, in a steep valley where the Benne and Tacon rivers converge. Home to approximately 10,000 residents, this city, though surrounded by natural beauty ... Read More

John Steinbeck: Writer and Pipe Smoker

Pipe God of War: The Story of Semyon Danilovich Nomokonov

The History of the MacArthur Corn Cob Pipe

The Victory Cigar: The Story of Red Auerbach

Missouri Meerschaum: 150 Years of American Corn Cob Pipes

America's First Artisan Pipe Makers

A Closer Look at Peterson's Carroll of Carrollton Pipes

New Netherland, William Kieft, and the Smoker's Rebellion

Vincent van Gogh and Pipe Smoking

Saint-Claude, France, Birthplace of the Briar Pipe

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