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Arab Inventions

Pathbreakers of Arab America—Ernest Hamwi

This is the sixty-seventh of Arab America’s series on American pathbreakers of Arab descent. The series includes personalities from entertainment, business, sports, science, arts, academia, journalism, and politics, among other areas. Our sixty-seventh pathbreaker is Ernest Hamwi, a Syrian born Arab American businessman and entrepreneur. Born on November 18, 1883, in Damascus, Syria he is considered by some as the creator of the ice cream cone, which he purportedly conceived of while working as a concessionaire at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. Contributing writer, John Mason, informs us that there is much more information available on the ice cream cone than exists on Ernest himself. Nevertheless, this is his brief but eventful story.

Beyond the Arabic in the Arab World!

By: Yara Marei / Arab America Contributing Writer. Imagine a bustling marketplace in an old coastal town. Here, merchants speak different languages: Arabic, Hebrew, Somali, Amazigh, and even Syriac, while exchanging goods and stories. Although their words vary, the meaning behind them feels the same: family, faith, and shared history. These languages are not just … Continued

Marie El-Khoury: A Remarkable Jewelry Designer

By Arwa Almasaari / Arab America Contributing Writer In the early twentieth century, amidst the glittering names of Tiffany and Cartier, another jeweler captivated New York’s elite—Marie El-Khoury. Not only was she one of the most sought-after jewelers in the city, but El-Khoury also served as a board member at the Metropolitan Museum of Art … Continued

Rewriting the Music Playbook: Harget Kart’s Art of Fusion

By: Yara Marei / Arab America Contributing Writer Imagine a band that takes the ordinary, lights it on fire, and from the ashes creates something extraordinary. This is Harget Kart—a name that, in the Arabic Jordanian dialect, means “to burn a photo card.” Just as their name suggests, Harget Kart has set the conventional boundaries … Continued

Berenike: Secrets of an Ancient Trade Hub

Author: Yara Marei, Arab America Contributing Writer Introduction Berenike, a remote port town on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, has captured the attention of archaeologists and historians for its crucial role in ancient maritime trade. Recent discoveries at this site have provided invaluable insights into the intricate web of commercial and cultural exchanges that took place … Continued

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