The King of Animal Traps: Meet Dash Rippington
From Nation, For Nation - Pulse of the Nation
The World’s Tallest Bridge Will Leave Your Jaw on the Floor
The Original Apple Watch: A Fab Four Collectible Like No Other
When people hear “Apple Watch,” they think of sleek smartwatches and cutting-edge tech launches.
But before Steve Jobs, there were John, Paul, George, and Ringo, who created one of the rarest “Apple Watches” in history. That's right, back in 1967, nearly 50 years before Apple Inc. would debut its Apple Watch, the Fab Four briefly sold their very own timepiece.
The Apple Boutique
The Beatles weren’t just chart-toppers; they were entrepreneurs. Their company, Apple Corps, branched into music publishing, film, electronics, and even retail. Now, of course, not all of these were as successful as their music, but you have to love the creativity!
On London’s Baker Street, they opened the Apple Boutique, a psychedelic shop that carried clothes, oddities, and Beatles-branded merchandise.
But unlike their music, the boutique wasn’t a hit. It only stayed open for around seven months before closing down for good.
A Short-Lived Timepiece
During its brief life, the Apple Boutique released a handful of products, including the now-legendary Apple Watch. No, not the digital wrist gadget you know today. This was a stylish Beatles-era accessory featuring their Apple branding.
Because the boutique shut down so quickly, only a limited number of these watches were ever sold. That makes them extremely rare collectibles today, nearly impossible to find in the wild. Which, of course, means we here at Ripley's have one in the vault!
A True Collector’s Gem
The Beatles’ Apple Watch is more than a quirky piece of memorabilia; it’s a snapshot of a moment when the iconic band was experimenting beyond music, building a brand that tried to stretch into every corner of pop culture.
So next time someone flashes their Apple Watch to check the time, just remember who did it first! →
From Globe, For Globe - Pulse of the Planet
Experience myths made real at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies' newest exhibit!
Step into a world where legends breathe, scales shimmer, and ancient tales unfold, not in a storybook, but in a brand-new, real-life exhibit at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies!
Introducing Dragons, a mesmerizing journey that blurs the line between fantasy and nature, inviting guests to discover the animals that inspired the world’s most captivating myths.
Meet the Legends
Whether you're a fantasy fan or a wildlife lover, Dragons takes you beyond the pages of folklore and into the habitats of real-life creatures with legendary flair. This is where myth meets reality, and it’s anything but ordinary.
Kimberley Rock Monitor
From the rugged terrain of northern Australia, this agile lizard scrambles across rocky landscapes with such speed and grace that it almost appears airborne.
With its striking appearance and nimble movements, it evokes the soaring dragons of myth and legend.
Gila Monster
Though it doesn’t breathe fire, the Gila Monster’s appearance and venomous bite echo stories of legendary beasts. Its venom even has healing potential, aiding in diabetes treatment and memory enhancement.
Like dragons guarding hidden treasures, these reclusive creatures spend much of their lives in secretive underground lairs.
Green Crested Basilisk
Nicknamed the “Jesus Christ Lizard,” this reptile defies gravity as it runs across the surface of water.
It's not magic or myth, though; it is due to a combination of rapid movement and the creation of air pockets beneath its feet, allowing the green crested basilisk stay on the water's surface for brief distances
Green Tree Python
This vibrant green serpent glides through treetops with an elegance that calls to mind ancient stories of sky serpents.
Its smooth coils and diamond-shaped head are as mesmerizing as they are mysterious.
Siren
With feathery gills and serpent-like bodies, these aquatic marvels resemble the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl and celestial dragons of East Asia.
Their beauty and silent movement through water make them seem almost otherworldly.
And Much More!...
Hands-On Myth and Magic
See how some of our incredible aquarium creatures have inspired dragon myths around the world.
Discover how the green tree python’s majestic movements echo tales of sky serpents, how the Gila Monster’s fierce reputation parallels stories of fire-breathing beasts, and how the crocodile skink, with its scaly armor, might convince you that dragons still roam the earth.
Experience immersive interactive displays featuring detailed, tactile models of our reptilian stars.
Feel the texture of their scales, trace the curve of their tails, and get a closer look at what makes each animal truly legendary. These hands-on exhibits are sure to bring myths to life.
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