Three apps that should exist but don't. Episode 2.

If you are already familiar with Episode 1 of this series, then you know what I am doing here. I am making the world a better place with the sheer power of my thought. Behold my second idea in all its glory and then tell me it's not good. I dare you.

2. Where The Streets Do Have Names

I like U2 and I like Bucharest. Before you think I've completely lost my mind, let me clarify. I like the early U2 and the cosmopolitan levantine history of Bucharest that still manages to fill the air every now and again. But to be honest I don't know much about it. Who are these people whose names became streets? Who the hell was Popa Soare? Or Maria Rossetti? Why is Str Orhideelor named like that? Podul Grant? Was that a name? Whose?

Yeah, I know who Queen Elisabeth is, thank you very much.

Now imagine you had an app on your phone that would send you notifications with bits of information about the street you happen to walk on.

(See what I'm doing here? People walk, people get information, people get smarter.)

It would look something like this:

The Grant Bridge

Built in 1910 by Romanian architect Robert E. Grant and named in memory of his father, Effingham Grant.

Effingham Grant. Born in Guernsey, Great Britain in 1820. Brother of Maria Rossetti (nee Grant). Married to Zoe Racovita, daughter of Alexandru Racovita and Ana Golescu (niece of Dinicu Golescu).

E. Grant came to Wallachia in 1837 and worked at the British Council as a diplomat.

When the Chancellor moved to Bosnia, Effingham decided to give up the diplomatic service and go into business. He established the first foundry in Bucharest (Fonderia Belvedere). He built the first tobacco factory and then parcelled the land and sold it to the workers, which became the quarter known as Regie.

Look at them old words. Priceless.

In 1865 he was the first in Romania to grow orchids, giving the name of the street still in use today: Str. Orhideelor.

Like a kind, thoughtful, generous and industrious person British person.

Effingham Grant. He liked orchids.

Yes.

The Sfanta Vineri cemetery (in the vicinity of the Grant Bridge) was built on a piece of land donated to the municipality by Effingham Grant. He is also buried there.

Mind. Blown.

I am the first to admit I have a soft spot for British men who think Bucharest is better than their home.

However, I have never heard of Effingham Grant before I started to research (quite by accident) the charming and odd Sf. Vineri cemetery. Charming because it has a turn-of-the-century romantic atmosphere and odd because of the strange communist alley right in the middle.

Communism is a religion. The hammer and the sickle is their eternal salvation.

I didn't know how influential he was and how important certain British people have been in the history of Romania (Queen Marie, Maria Rossetti, etc). I am sure nobody cared to reveal these little details during the communist years. How many other interesting and fascinating things we are missing about our cities, bits of history that become victims of neglect or ill intent?

My son, who, in his own words, "possesses a historical brain", would certainly love this app and it will make him appreciate his city better, in a more meaningful way. And hopefully he will grow up to be a kind, thoughtful, generous and industrious British Romanian Gentleman.

If you think this app is a good idea, please tell me so and share this article. It will make me feel like I'm on to something.

If, on the contrary, you don't think this app is a good idea, drop me a line and tell me why.

I dare you.

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#history #streets #streetnames #bucharest #phoneapps #historybuff

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Check out my first episode in the series here.