The whole idea of Valentine's Day is to show a little love, right? Not always. In the old days, some people sent out nasty-grams known as "vinegar valentines" to their least favorite people. Plus: today in 2014, a news report on a guy in China who tried something unusual to keep couples from enjoying a romantic movie together.

When Valentines Were Really, Really Mean (Slate)

Happy Valentine's Day, I Hate You (Collectors Weekly)

Single Chinese man spoils couples' Valentine's plans by preventing them from sitting together in the cinema (The Independent)

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Today in 1988 the Winter Olympics began in Calgary, Alberta. There were plenty of eyes that year on the demonstration sport known as ski ballet. Plus: an archeologist has found evidence in Kenya of an ancient form of a classic board game dug into the ground.

Cool Down and Reminisce over the Wonders of Ski Ballet (Messy Nessy Chic)

Ancient 'Arcade' of Games Played for Thousands of Years Discovered (Newsweek)

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It's Abe Lincoln's birthday, and if you want to see a small bit of the man himself, you could try heading to Syracuse, New York, where there’s a bit of Abe Lincoln’s hair in a very unusual decoration known as the Hairy Eagle. Plus: a website took all the clips of WKRP's Dr. Johnny Fever as a DJ, and turned them into a single three hour radio show.

Hair (Amusing Planet)

Guest DJ: Dr. Johnny Fever (Aw Phooey)

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Today in 1865, the birthday of Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, who gave the world a close-up view of the beauty and variety in snowflakes. Plus: a moment in 1959 that could have used a little more attention to detail.

How a Vermont farmer proved no snowflakes are alike (CNN)

Miscellany, Feb. 9, 1959 (TIME)

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For all the talk these days about the potential of generative AI, the systems still have a long way to go. For example, some recent research finds that some human users think ChatGPT comes off as less realistic than a famous chatbot from the 60s known as ELIZA. Plus: with the Super Bowl just days away, a look at how Gaulladet University helped give football the huddle.

Before ChatGPT, There Was ELIZA: Watch the 1960s Chatbot in Action (Open Culture)

When Gallaudet University Football Invented the Huddle (Gallaudet University) 

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Today in 1943, the US announced it would start rationing shoes to save rubber and leather for the troops in World War II. People on the home front found ways to make shoes out of alternative materials. Plus: today in 1915, the New York Philharmonic included a special note in its program asking members of the audience to stop knitting during the performances.

Rationing of Non-Food Items on the World War II Home Front (National Park Service)

1915 Feb 07 / Subscription Season / Stransky (ID: 6287) (New York Philharmonic)

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We're in the shortest month of the year, but how did that happen? The answer starts with the Romans, who had reasons. Plus: a choir in Canada wanted to sing "Never Gonna Give You Up" with Rick Astley, and of course he didn't give them up.

Why does February have 28 days? (BBC Sky At Night)

Rick Astley performs 'Never Gonna Give You Up' with 200 people in a Toronto basement and it's awesome (CBC)

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This week in 1897, lawmakers in the state of Indiana almost added a mathematical shortcut to state law, with a bill that would have set the wrong value for the number pi. Plus: Listen To The Clouds lets you choose radio traffic from dozens of airports around the world, and plays them alongside ambient music tracks.

Feb. 5, 1897: Indiana Pols Forced to Eat Humble Pi (Wired)

LISTEN TO THE CLOUDS 

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Today in 1983, the birthday of Jessica Cox, the first person born without arms to become a licensed pilot. And that’s just one of her many accomplishments. Plus: this weekend, the Quebec Winter Carnival brings back ice canoe races on the St. Lawrence River.

New feat with her feet: Tucsonan, born minus arms, earns pilot’s license (Tucson Citizen)

Armless pilot gives students a look at first foot-controlled plane: ‘Disability does not mean inability’ (Chicago Sun-Times)

Québec Winter Carnival 

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Today in 1964, Billboard Magazine reported that the governor of Indiana had called on the state’s broadcasters to stop playing the song “Louie, Louie” by the Kingsmen because of its allegedly dirty lyrics. We'll explain what happened. Plus: tomorrow in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the ICE ART FEST gets underway. 

That time Indiana teens ratted out dirty ‘Louie Louie’ lyrics, and the FBI got involved (Indianapolis Star)

The 8th Annual ICE ART FEST 

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