“The telectroscope (also referred to as “electroscope”) was the first non-working prototype (i.e. conceptual model) of a television or videophone system. The term was used in the 19th century to describe science-based systems of distant seeing. The name and its concept came into being not long after the telephone was patented in 1876, and its original concept evolved from that of remote facsimile reproductions onto paper, into the live viewing of remote images”. – Wikipedia

Photo: Visitors to London wave to people they can see in New York as they peer through the Telectroscope situated by Tower Bridge on May 23, 2008 in London, England. The device named the Telectroscope provides a live visual link up between London and New York, to another Telectroscope by Brooklyn Bridge. (Photo by Cate Gillon/Getty Images)

A small series by illustration Alex Solis remembering those things that used to rule the world.

This is Raymond, an orphaned koala that was found abandoned beside a road in Brisbane, Australia. He was named after the man who found him.

(L-R) Victoria's Secret models Lily Aldridge, Erin Heatherton, Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, and Chanel Iman attend the Victoria's Secret debut of the New "Incredible" Bra at Victoria's Secret, SoHo on March 1, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images). NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01

A model backstage during day 1 of Aspen Fashion Week 2011 on March 13, 2011 in Aspen, Colorado.

A Sydney Aquarium diver uses a vacuum to clean the gravel in the Great Barrier Reef tank as a Ray Shark swims by September 26, 2006 in Sydney, Australia. The Aquarium is undergoing its annual spring clean to prepare for the school holidays using vacuums, along with sea creatures like Sea Cucumbers, Sea Urchins, Cleaner Wrasse Fish and Sea Stars to help complete the job. (Photo by Ian Waldie/Getty Images)

Interior designer Tony Alleyne stands in his «Star Trek» theme studio apartment May 16, 2003 in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England. The apartment took nearly 10 years to redesign in the style of the «Star Trek» Starship Enterprise on approximately US$1.7 million. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

A rider demonstrates Lighting artist Bruce Munro latest installation “Star-Turn” at a one-night event in front of the Holburne Museum on December 21, 2011 in Bath, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)