Christopher Columbus was at a party with Spanish nobles when he found himself having to defend his reputation. It was inevitable, he was told, that someone would have discovered the New World if he hadn’t done so. In response, Columbus asked for an egg to be brought to the table, and challenged the nobles to make it stand on its end. After they had all tried and failed, Columbus tapped the egg on the table, cracking the bottom slightly so that it did not fall over; demonstrating that while his idea was straightforward, the challenge was to think of it in the first place. This story is from Kinfolk Issue Forty-Six Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Issue 51 Emily Gernild The Danish painter breathing new life into an old medium. Arts & Culture Food Issue 51 Imogen Kwok The artist takes food styling quite literally, creating accessories out of fruits and vegetables. Arts & Culture Design Issue 51 How to Make a Chair And do it on a tiny budget. Arts & Culture Issue 51 Odd Jobs The comedian with strong opinions about your home décor. Arts & Culture Issue 51 Tall Order The hidden depths of height. Arts & Culture Films Issue 51 Vicky Krieps An interview with the actor.
Arts & Culture Food Issue 51 Imogen Kwok The artist takes food styling quite literally, creating accessories out of fruits and vegetables.
