Robbert Leusink
@robbertleusink.bsky.social
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St. Moritz was not always about skiing.
In the 1890s, it was a ‘winter health resort’ at high altitude for medical benefits
The 1928 Winter Olympics changed that
St. Moritz became the home of winter sports
In the 1890s, it was a ‘winter health resort’ at high altitude for medical benefits
The 1928 Winter Olympics changed that
St. Moritz became the home of winter sports
February 4, 2026 at 9:00 PM
St. Moritz was not always about skiing.
In the 1890s, it was a ‘winter health resort’ at high altitude for medical benefits
The 1928 Winter Olympics changed that
St. Moritz became the home of winter sports
In the 1890s, it was a ‘winter health resort’ at high altitude for medical benefits
The 1928 Winter Olympics changed that
St. Moritz became the home of winter sports
The Netherlands had 'rederijkerskamers': rhetoric chambers where towns competed in poetry
With municipal budgets that funded verse competitions
Nowadays kids are barely literate
With municipal budgets that funded verse competitions
Nowadays kids are barely literate
February 4, 2026 at 7:59 PM
The Netherlands had 'rederijkerskamers': rhetoric chambers where towns competed in poetry
With municipal budgets that funded verse competitions
Nowadays kids are barely literate
With municipal budgets that funded verse competitions
Nowadays kids are barely literate
Amsterdam's Dageraad complex (1920) was workers' housing
Michel de Klerk designed it like a palace
Brick facades with ornamental towers
Gardens, courtyards, details everywhere
Social housing used to mean dignified housing
Michel de Klerk designed it like a palace
Brick facades with ornamental towers
Gardens, courtyards, details everywhere
Social housing used to mean dignified housing
February 4, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Amsterdam's Dageraad complex (1920) was workers' housing
Michel de Klerk designed it like a palace
Brick facades with ornamental towers
Gardens, courtyards, details everywhere
Social housing used to mean dignified housing
Michel de Klerk designed it like a palace
Brick facades with ornamental towers
Gardens, courtyards, details everywhere
Social housing used to mean dignified housing
The French didn't invent wine trading, the Dutch did
Amsterdam's Wijnkopersgilde (Wine buyer's guild) regulated how wine was traded across Europe, by their inspection, tasting, storage, and standards
Dutch merchants standardised how wine moved across borders
Amsterdam's Wijnkopersgilde (Wine buyer's guild) regulated how wine was traded across Europe, by their inspection, tasting, storage, and standards
Dutch merchants standardised how wine moved across borders
February 4, 2026 at 4:03 PM
The French didn't invent wine trading, the Dutch did
Amsterdam's Wijnkopersgilde (Wine buyer's guild) regulated how wine was traded across Europe, by their inspection, tasting, storage, and standards
Dutch merchants standardised how wine moved across borders
Amsterdam's Wijnkopersgilde (Wine buyer's guild) regulated how wine was traded across Europe, by their inspection, tasting, storage, and standards
Dutch merchants standardised how wine moved across borders
Hendrik Niehoff built pipe organs across the Netherlands and Hanseatic cities in the 1500s
His pipes used 98% lead with 1.3% tin... an alloy that produced the 'vocale' (human voice) sound characteristic of high Renaissance organs
Dutch organs are objectively the best
His pipes used 98% lead with 1.3% tin... an alloy that produced the 'vocale' (human voice) sound characteristic of high Renaissance organs
Dutch organs are objectively the best
February 4, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Hendrik Niehoff built pipe organs across the Netherlands and Hanseatic cities in the 1500s
His pipes used 98% lead with 1.3% tin... an alloy that produced the 'vocale' (human voice) sound characteristic of high Renaissance organs
Dutch organs are objectively the best
His pipes used 98% lead with 1.3% tin... an alloy that produced the 'vocale' (human voice) sound characteristic of high Renaissance organs
Dutch organs are objectively the best
I want to go skiing again, shall I book a lastminute to Wurmberg?
February 3, 2026 at 9:02 PM
I want to go skiing again, shall I book a lastminute to Wurmberg?
Ice skating started as Dutch winter transportation (1300s-1600s)
But we already turned that commute into competitive sport in the 1700s
When did you went ice skating for the last time?
But we already turned that commute into competitive sport in the 1700s
When did you went ice skating for the last time?
February 3, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Ice skating started as Dutch winter transportation (1300s-1600s)
But we already turned that commute into competitive sport in the 1700s
When did you went ice skating for the last time?
But we already turned that commute into competitive sport in the 1700s
When did you went ice skating for the last time?
This is exactly the problem…
Being perceived as ‘gay’ is why most men look like shit
You care about quality: ‘trying too hard’
You know matching colours: ‘gay’ 🧵
Being perceived as ‘gay’ is why most men look like shit
You care about quality: ‘trying too hard’
You know matching colours: ‘gay’ 🧵
February 3, 2026 at 12:58 PM
This is exactly the problem…
Being perceived as ‘gay’ is why most men look like shit
You care about quality: ‘trying too hard’
You know matching colours: ‘gay’ 🧵
Being perceived as ‘gay’ is why most men look like shit
You care about quality: ‘trying too hard’
You know matching colours: ‘gay’ 🧵
Elfstedentocht nationalism
February 3, 2026 at 12:56 AM
Elfstedentocht nationalism
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek ground lenses so perfect he saw bacteria in 1676
Before that, no one knew bacteria existed
He hand-ground 500+ lenses in his lifetime
His best microscope magnified 275x.
A Delft fabric merchant revolutionised biology as a hobby.
Before that, no one knew bacteria existed
He hand-ground 500+ lenses in his lifetime
His best microscope magnified 275x.
A Delft fabric merchant revolutionised biology as a hobby.
February 2, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek ground lenses so perfect he saw bacteria in 1676
Before that, no one knew bacteria existed
He hand-ground 500+ lenses in his lifetime
His best microscope magnified 275x.
A Delft fabric merchant revolutionised biology as a hobby.
Before that, no one knew bacteria existed
He hand-ground 500+ lenses in his lifetime
His best microscope magnified 275x.
A Delft fabric merchant revolutionised biology as a hobby.
De Rijp was a port town on Schermer Island surrounded by lakes.
17th century: herring fishing, hemp processing, whaling
Their ships sailed to Spitsbergen and South America
Jan Leeghwater, born in De Rijp, designed the Beemster polder in 1612 and De Rijp's town hall in 1630
17th century: herring fishing, hemp processing, whaling
Their ships sailed to Spitsbergen and South America
Jan Leeghwater, born in De Rijp, designed the Beemster polder in 1612 and De Rijp's town hall in 1630
February 2, 2026 at 6:57 PM
De Rijp was a port town on Schermer Island surrounded by lakes.
17th century: herring fishing, hemp processing, whaling
Their ships sailed to Spitsbergen and South America
Jan Leeghwater, born in De Rijp, designed the Beemster polder in 1612 and De Rijp's town hall in 1630
17th century: herring fishing, hemp processing, whaling
Their ships sailed to Spitsbergen and South America
Jan Leeghwater, born in De Rijp, designed the Beemster polder in 1612 and De Rijp's town hall in 1630
Traditional Candemas food in the Netherlands were pannenkoeken (pancakes)
The sun's return was celebrated with round and golden food.
Our ancestors ate by firelight and trusted the sun would return
The sun's return was celebrated with round and golden food.
Our ancestors ate by firelight and trusted the sun would return
February 2, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Traditional Candemas food in the Netherlands were pannenkoeken (pancakes)
The sun's return was celebrated with round and golden food.
Our ancestors ate by firelight and trusted the sun would return
The sun's return was celebrated with round and golden food.
Our ancestors ate by firelight and trusted the sun would return
BREAKING: The SSPX is going to consecrate bishops this year on the 1st of July 🙏🙏
February 2, 2026 at 11:24 AM
BREAKING: The SSPX is going to consecrate bishops this year on the 1st of July 🙏🙏
The Hahnenkamm downhill (Die Streif) in Kitzbühel opened in 1937
3.3 km, 860 m vertical drop, gradients hitting 85% at the Mausefalle
Skiers reach 140 km/h before launching into air
You either master the Streif or it breaks you.
3.3 km, 860 m vertical drop, gradients hitting 85% at the Mausefalle
Skiers reach 140 km/h before launching into air
You either master the Streif or it breaks you.
February 2, 2026 at 9:56 AM
The Hahnenkamm downhill (Die Streif) in Kitzbühel opened in 1937
3.3 km, 860 m vertical drop, gradients hitting 85% at the Mausefalle
Skiers reach 140 km/h before launching into air
You either master the Streif or it breaks you.
3.3 km, 860 m vertical drop, gradients hitting 85% at the Mausefalle
Skiers reach 140 km/h before launching into air
You either master the Streif or it breaks you.
Candlemas (Maria Lichtmis) was the day Dutch farmers could finally see their land again:
'Lichtmis in de kou, boer vult zijn schouw'
('Candlemas in the cold, farmer fills his barn')
If it was cold on Candlemas, spring would soon be there...
'Lichtmis in de kou, boer vult zijn schouw'
('Candlemas in the cold, farmer fills his barn')
If it was cold on Candlemas, spring would soon be there...
February 2, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Candlemas (Maria Lichtmis) was the day Dutch farmers could finally see their land again:
'Lichtmis in de kou, boer vult zijn schouw'
('Candlemas in the cold, farmer fills his barn')
If it was cold on Candlemas, spring would soon be there...
'Lichtmis in de kou, boer vult zijn schouw'
('Candlemas in the cold, farmer fills his barn')
If it was cold on Candlemas, spring would soon be there...
The Amsterdam Admiralty by 1650 alone commanded 4,000-8,000 sailors, and was the single largest naval force in Europe
It had more sailors than most European armies had soldiers
Amsterdam outgunned most nations
It had more sailors than most European armies had soldiers
Amsterdam outgunned most nations
February 2, 2026 at 7:02 AM
The Amsterdam Admiralty by 1650 alone commanded 4,000-8,000 sailors, and was the single largest naval force in Europe
It had more sailors than most European armies had soldiers
Amsterdam outgunned most nations
It had more sailors than most European armies had soldiers
Amsterdam outgunned most nations
Porsche im Schnee
February 2, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Porsche im Schnee
Dutch whalers processed entire whales on ships in the Arctic
Built floating factories that could render blubber at sea
Smeerenburg had 200 men living in the Arctic year-round
Industrial-scale hunting before the industrial revolution
Built floating factories that could render blubber at sea
Smeerenburg had 200 men living in the Arctic year-round
Industrial-scale hunting before the industrial revolution
February 1, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Dutch whalers processed entire whales on ships in the Arctic
Built floating factories that could render blubber at sea
Smeerenburg had 200 men living in the Arctic year-round
Industrial-scale hunting before the industrial revolution
Built floating factories that could render blubber at sea
Smeerenburg had 200 men living in the Arctic year-round
Industrial-scale hunting before the industrial revolution
The Netherlands built Europe's first scheduled transport network in 1632
The 'trekvaart' system: 415km of straight canals connecting every major city
Horse-drawn barges on timetables
Amsterdam to Haarlem departed every hour from 5 AM to 8 PM
In 1633, 250,000 people used it annually
The 'trekvaart' system: 415km of straight canals connecting every major city
Horse-drawn barges on timetables
Amsterdam to Haarlem departed every hour from 5 AM to 8 PM
In 1633, 250,000 people used it annually
February 1, 2026 at 3:56 PM
The Netherlands built Europe's first scheduled transport network in 1632
The 'trekvaart' system: 415km of straight canals connecting every major city
Horse-drawn barges on timetables
Amsterdam to Haarlem departed every hour from 5 AM to 8 PM
In 1633, 250,000 people used it annually
The 'trekvaart' system: 415km of straight canals connecting every major city
Horse-drawn barges on timetables
Amsterdam to Haarlem departed every hour from 5 AM to 8 PM
In 1633, 250,000 people used it annually
February 1st, 1953...
Between 4 AM and 6 AM, 150 dykes failed across the Netherlands
1,836 Dutch citizens drowned in their sleep:
-350,000 acres flooded
-200,000 livestock dead
-72,000 people evacuated
We are the people who drown, then rebuild
And when the sea takes, we take it back...
Between 4 AM and 6 AM, 150 dykes failed across the Netherlands
1,836 Dutch citizens drowned in their sleep:
-350,000 acres flooded
-200,000 livestock dead
-72,000 people evacuated
We are the people who drown, then rebuild
And when the sea takes, we take it back...
February 1, 2026 at 11:59 AM
February 1st, 1953...
Between 4 AM and 6 AM, 150 dykes failed across the Netherlands
1,836 Dutch citizens drowned in their sleep:
-350,000 acres flooded
-200,000 livestock dead
-72,000 people evacuated
We are the people who drown, then rebuild
And when the sea takes, we take it back...
Between 4 AM and 6 AM, 150 dykes failed across the Netherlands
1,836 Dutch citizens drowned in their sleep:
-350,000 acres flooded
-200,000 livestock dead
-72,000 people evacuated
We are the people who drown, then rebuild
And when the sea takes, we take it back...
Go to Mass today...
February 1, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Go to Mass today...
Porsche fascism
January 31, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Porsche fascism
Why does everything fall apart now?
Your grandfather's shoes lasted 40 years
But your luxury shoes last at most 2 years
How come?
Your grandfather's shoes lasted 40 years
But your luxury shoes last at most 2 years
How come?
January 31, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Why does everything fall apart now?
Your grandfather's shoes lasted 40 years
But your luxury shoes last at most 2 years
How come?
Your grandfather's shoes lasted 40 years
But your luxury shoes last at most 2 years
How come?
My brother would’ve turned 30 today if he would be with us still…
January 31, 2026 at 3:01 PM
My brother would’ve turned 30 today if he would be with us still…
Dutch cartographers sold maps to Spanish and Portuguese explorers
Then used those same maps to rob their ships
The VOC didn't just control trade routes
They controlled the knowledge of where they were
Then used those same maps to rob their ships
The VOC didn't just control trade routes
They controlled the knowledge of where they were
January 31, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Dutch cartographers sold maps to Spanish and Portuguese explorers
Then used those same maps to rob their ships
The VOC didn't just control trade routes
They controlled the knowledge of where they were
Then used those same maps to rob their ships
The VOC didn't just control trade routes
They controlled the knowledge of where they were