[By Adrian Covert, Gizmodo]

The 1906 earthquake that took place in S.F. was epic for the time, leveling countless buildings, igniting fires, and generally causing chaos. It was also responsible for some great photography. But did you know that someone took 3D colour photos of the aftermath?

Fredrick Ives, an inventor who the SF Chronicle says created the halftone process used by newspapers and magazines, is the man responsible for these shots, which were viewed in a box called a Kromgram, which slightly resembled a Viewmaster:

The photos that Ives made were also meant to be seen in 3-D through a viewing device. “Can you imagine how shocking these were?” said Shannon Perich, associate curator of the Smithsonian’s photography history collection.

Though black-and-white pictures of the 1906 disaster are common, the Smithsonian believes Ives’ pictures are the first – and perhaps only – true colour photographs of the wreckage ever made. They have never been published before.

A few colour pictures of the earthquake and fire that followed have occasionally surfaced, but they were hand-tinted prints on black-and-white originals, not true colour photographs.

The Kromgram came out in 1907 and cost $US50 (or $US1000 by today’s standards). However, the Chronicle says that Ives marketed the device terribly and it failed. But hey, at least it spawned some shots that are simultaneously devastating and beautiful. You can see the rest of the collection over at [SF Gate via JoshuaClements].

See the original story here: http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/03/see-the-1906-san-francisco-earthquake-in-colour-and-3d/

[dvice.com, no author given]

Having a luxury ride and a driver is great, but just like on a plane, you’re going to need some entertainment to while away those long hours on the road. This high-tech rolling 3D movie theater should do the trick.

This isn’t our first encounter with one of Mercedes-Benz tuner Brabus’ theater palaces on wheels, but now they’ve upped the spec several notches.

The old 32-inch 2D TV is history is out, replaced by a 40-inch 3D model, and fed by a host of sources including a PlayStation 3, Internet connected Mac Mini, and a bevy of iPads and other devices. There’s even a Keurig coffee machine, just in case you start to feel sleepy in the electrically adjustable Maybach style armchairs.

All of this tech would be a waste if the van couldn’t move briskly, so Brabus has fitted their 6.1-liter V-8 that pushes the iBusiness to 60-mph in under six seconds.

Every iBusiness is built to order so it’s hard to quote a price, but let’s just assume it’s one of those “if you have to ask” deals.