The Yarn Spinner

    Blue-Backs and Legal Pads   Most of the   “Perry Mason” shows were filmed in black and white; only the last season was in color, but if you watch enough of the “Law and Order” re-runs, you will be sure   to see them. Blue-Backs. The tradition of associating legal documents with the color blue originated in England   many years ago. In the United States, it began in the 19th century when the word blueback was used to designate the blue cover of a legal document, technically called a litigation back. The blue-back is imprinted with the caption of the matter and includes several blank forms for proof of service, certification, and verification, to be used as needed in the particular case. It is typically customized with the card of the law firm or pro se party presenting the documents. Some attorneys use assorted colors – just to be different. Today, many federal and state jurisdictions require the use of a blue document cover to distinguish a par...

  The Iroquois Theater Fire The Titanic was said to be unsinkable, and the Iroquois Theater at 24-28 West Randolph Street in downtown Chicago was widely advertised as absolutely fireproof. Neither claim proved to be true. At a Wednesday matinee performance of Blue Beard nineteen hundred people filled the seats in the one million-dollar stage house. It was the new year December 30th, 1903. Sometime during the performance, a spark ignited the theater curtain. Someone yelled, “Lower the fire curtain! ”   and down it came, but not all the way down because of a mechanical problem. Some doors opened inward and not out, others were locked. New fire escapes had not yet been installed and the   theater had little fire extinguishing equipment on hand. Fire marshals were later accused of having taken bribes to overlook code violations. A few performers were able to escape using a   backstage door, but when they opened it, there was an explosion. It was a backdraft – ...