Back in 2008, I started Macfilos as a hobby, something to keep me busy in my newfound retirement. What was I going to do after a busy working life in journalism, public relations and public affairs?
NEW UPDATE ARTICLE HERE
Something simple to keep me busy. Until this week, that is. The publication of our September “Swiss roll” story by the BBC provided to be a big hit, first with readers of the corporation’s web site. By noon they’d had one million visitors to the article and it soon became apparent that William Fagan’s story of the film left undeveloped for seventy years had hit the.
The first eddies soon appeared at Macfilos Towers. By the time I’d rushed my porridge, the tsunami was in full flow. Our original article has attracted over 12,000 views (at the time of writing) and, within a couple of hours, I had to deal with nearly 200 emails with offers of help. William is currently sifting through all the information and the many photographs. There are nearly 160 comments on the original article and they all make for good reading.
As a result, we’ve identified all the locations in the photographs—thanks to the efforts of locals who, in many cases, went down to take photographs of the same views. We now have a small army of investigators in Germany, Switzerland and Italy which is hot on the trail of our mystery couple and their dog.
William has done interviews for the New York Times and several German and Swiss outlets, and we’ve had approaches from many more with requests for the use of the images. Our knowledge of the couple is increasing by the day. We know where they went, where they stayed, how they travelled. We can even guess the season because of the dress. Crucially, though we do not know who they are.
Both William and I didn’t realise just what we’d started, and we are grateful to the BBC for picking up on the story. For my part, Monday felt like a busy day at the office before I retired. I was in my element, dealing with all the press enquiries.
We can both scent the end of the trail after the events of this week. We certainly intend to produce a sequel article once we are sure we have every scrap of information in the bag. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could actually identify the couple? One or other of them may be still alive, and that would be the icing on the cake. If we’re lucky, we might even find out if the little dog is a Schorsch or a Trudl.
All I can say now is watch this space.
Can’t we find them using plate number of those BMW cars? They should be in some database with names of their owners.
No, not available because this was the old American Occupation Zone authorities. If it were that simple we would have the information by now. But it is all rather complicated, I’m afraid. And the car was already 14 years old in 1951, BMW can’t help.
This is not a hobby, it is a fully professional entity, with high quality control values, and a creatively keen eye for detail that come from you Mike. Yes, you may have started it as a casual passing renaissance on Apples growing technology. But today, this has become a burgeoning legendary Leica, photography and technological marvel of a site.
Yes the Mac is still there, but today this is something so amazingly different from your original vision. In fact I would question if you have genuinely retired, or are just extending your professional portfolio beyond those of us mere mortals.
Macfilos is an epic achievement of one mans vision.
Congratulations.
Thank you for your confidence, Dave. I can’t claim and master plan but as long as it gives me pleasure I will continue. It’s weeks such as this that give me the encouragement to carry on. Thanks again.
This is a great story on every level. Well done to everyone who has contributed. It would be wonderfully fitting if the couple or their families can be identified and/or found.
Dear Mike, surely you founded Macfilos just as a hobby, but the level on which you run this blog is definitely prefessional. Your offer your readers always something interesting, and they can be sure that all content is carefully edited. I know how much work this is an I take the liberty to speak for all Macfilos readers: THANK YOU, MIKE.
Thank you, Jörg-Peter. I try to set Hugh standards but the number of contributing authors, including you, are what really makes the blog and keeps people coming back. Thanks.
Thanks Jorg-Peter and I second that appreciation of Mike and his professionalism. This week Mike and I have been in touch on a more than hourly basis and all I can say is that his work rate is phenomenal. I have a lot of experience of performing in front of all types of media myself, both inside and outside of my own country, but sometimes you need a PR/media professional between yourself and the media to give you the space to think and decide and I have used many such people over the years, but Mike is the best I have ever come across. I know that Mike does not need me to say this, but I am saying it anyway.
As for the story itself, we have had many interesting leads, but no definite identifications as yet. I feel, however, that we are much closer to making identifications than we were last Monday when the BBC piece went out. We know more or less exactly where the people were and approximately when (I’m still saying 1952). What we really need is some indication of their names or some other form of identification.
William
William, thank you. That is very kind and I appreciate it. What this story has given is both – or perhaps I should say “all” – is a mystery to solve. It is already a viral search and I am sure that if we tie up the details it will be an even bigger story.
My thanks also to all the readers and new readers (brought in by the BBC story) for their monumental effort so far. We have our people of the ground, tracing every step of the journey. We couldn’t ask for more.
Mike
This story has caught so many people’s imaginations old and young. I cannot wait for the ending and hope the people are identified and as you say the icing on the cake would for them to still be with us and be united with the film/pictures.
Such a great thing to come by and investigate…I’m very envious. Good luck with the research
It has indeed caught the imagination and we keep hearing of more and more articles appearing around the world. It has also focused attention on this blog and there has been a tremendous uptick in readership since Monday. I’ve also noticed a 10% increase in subscriptions to the daily news email so it’s all good. Mike
I can imagine a new genre of TV detective programmes where a team tracks down people in old photos, using social media and international collaboration. I can picture William and yourself poring over the photos.
Tip of the hat, for job well done. Magnificent
This is great! I didn’t realize it all started here and saw the article on the NY Times the other day.
Well done, all who have advanced solving the photo mystery. It rivals news of release of Covid-19 vaccines. And Macfilos has added kudos along the way.
Amazing! I hope there are relatives that will treasure getting these images. It sure makes a fascinating story and puzzle to solve. Nice to have an interesting story instead of the usual depressing news.
On tv that is!