Learn an interesting fact to share with friends and increase your Geek Cred!
In 1993, Intel introduced the Pentium processor (80586). Codenamed P5, the Intel Pentium was a replacement for the 80486 processor and originally sold for $878.00. Learn more at http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/p/pentium.htm
In 1884, US mathematician George D. Birkhoff was born. In 1931, Birkhoff’s discovered what is now called the ergodic theorem. Ergodic theory is a branch of mathematics that studies dynamical systems with an invariant measure and related problems. Learn more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergodic_theory
In 1891, Dayton Scale Company, the first computing scale company, was incorporated in Dayton, Ohio. It was part of the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company and became an IBM division in 1933. The Dayton Scale Division was eventually sold to the Hobart Manufacturing Company. Learn more at http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/attic2/attic2_057.html
In 1985, IBM announced that it was planning to stop making the PCjr consumer-oriented computer. The PCjr had been expected to dominate the home computer market but, in the 16 months that it was on the market, only 240,000 units were sold. Learn more at
In 2003, Adam Osborne, founder of Osborne Computer Corporation, died. In 1981, Adam Osborne introduced the first portable computer, the Osborne 1. The computer weighed 23.5 pounds and cost $1,795. Learn more at http://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/famousentrepreneurs/p/adamosborne.htm
In 1782, Dutch mathematician Daniel Bernoulli died. The Bernoulli Principle states that the pressure of a fluid, liquid or gas decreases as its speed increases. Learn more at http://plus.maths.org/content/daniel-bernoulli-and-making-fluid-equation
In 1787, physicist Georg Simon Ohm was born. Georg Ohm was able to define the fundamental relationship between voltage, current, and resistance. Ohm’s Law states that the amount of steady current (I) through a material is directly proportional to the voltage (V) across the material
In 1750, astronomer Caroline Herschel was born. She was the first woman to discover a comet. The comet, discovered on August 1st, 1786, was named “Herschel” and is also known as “first lady’s comet”. Learn more at https://thescienceclassroom.wikispaces.com/Caroline+Herschel
In 1995, for the first time, thirteen people were in space. It was a joint US – Russia effort consisting of eight American and five Russian astronauts. Learn more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_spaceflight_records
In 1970, Digital Equipment Corporation introduced the PDP-11 minicomputer. The PDP-11 was a series of 16-bit minicomputers sold by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) from 1970 into the 1990s and was one of a succession of products in the PDP series. Learn more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-11
In 1834, mathematician Karl W. Feuerbach died at age 33. In 1822, Feuerbach wrote a book on mathematics noted mainly for a theorem on the nine-point circle, which is now known as Feuerbach’s theorem. Learn more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Wilhelm_Feuerbach
In 1960, Pioneer 5 was launched into solar orbit between Earth and Venus. The spacecraft established a communications link with the Earth from a record distance of 22.5 million miles on June 26th, 1960, which was its last day of transmission. Learn more at http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1960-001A
in 1982, syzygy occurred when all nine planets (including Pluto) aligned on same side of Sun. Additionally, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto were within a 95 degree wide interval, the closest they had been in more than 800 years. Read more: http://www.reyjr.com/2009/04/what-is-syzygy.html#ixzz1oca2Vwjt
In 1961, a dog named Chernushka (Blackie) became the first dog returned from space, aboard Sputnik 9. Chernushka’s companions included a dummy cosmonaut, mice and a guinea pig. The flight was a success and Chernushka was recovered successfully. Learn more at http://space.about.com/od/sputnik/a/DogsInSpace.htm
