Australian Billionaire Plans to Build Titanic II to Set Sail in 2016

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Australian businessman Clive Palmer has announced his plans to create a replica of the Titanic. Palmer is collaborating with the Chinese company CSC Jinling Shipyard to create what he is calling the Titanic II. In addition, Palmer's new ship is going to re-create the voyage of the original Titanic as it set sail from England to New York in 1912.

Palmer says the new ship will be "as luxurious as the original Titanic," adding that Titanic II will be equipped with "state-of-the-art 21st-century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems." His vessel will have identical dimensions to its predecessor, and will feature nine decks, 840 rooms, gymnasiums, swimming pools, libraries, and restaurants. Other improvements to the ship include greater fuel efficiency and diesel generation, and an enlarged rudder and bow thrusters for improved maneuverability.

When news of Palmer's new creation began circulating, Tumblr and Twitter buzzed with people's reactions. In just 36 hours, "Titanic II" had been mentioned 34,000 times, and a new meme was born. There are countless parodies and digitally altered images like the one using the original movie poster and the tag line, "Jack is back." On Twitter, "Titanic II" was trending with a slew of tweets mocking Palmer's idea. One person tweeted, "Luckily there probably won't be any icebergs left by then." The original Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, after colliding with an iceberg, and more than 1,500 people died.

When asked if the ship could sink, Palmer responded, "Of course it will sink if you put a hole in it." He then added, "It is going to be designed so it won't sink."

In case you are reading this and you want to set sail on Titanic II, you'll have to wait a while. The maiden voyage is not scheduled until 2016.

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In another example of history being brought back to life, the release of the previously unpublished sketches by Leonardo da Vinci shed new light on da Vinci's expertise in human anatomy. The 24 drawings, currently on display at Buckingham Palace in London, illustrate da Vinci's in-depth knowledge.

In Florence, Italy, in the 1500s, the artist and inventor became seasoned in dissection at local medical schools. In some cases, such as his diagrams of the human heart, his precise work could not be confirmed until the invention of the MRI machine in the 1980s.

It has also become clear that da Vinci's study of the heart came very close to discovering the nature of blood circulation 100 years before it was officially figured out. The sketches, which were previously held under lock and key, are now on exhibit in the Queen's Gallery.

The new exhibit has people on social media questioning whether da Vinci, renown for his painting of 'The Mona Lisa,' was a better artist or scientist. Some people are saying that these newly released drawings confirm that da Vinci was indeed a true Renaissance man for the ages with his revolutionary work.