Learn an interesting fact to share with friends and increase your Geek Cred!
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
In 1983, IBM released PC DOS version 2.0. Completely rewritten from the ground up, DOS 2.0 added subdirectories and hard disk support for the new IBM XT. Learn more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_PC_DOS#PC_DOS_2.x
In 1985, IBM-PC DOS Version 3.1 update released. PC DOS 3.1 was the first OS to provide a network support. Learn more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_PC_DOS In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone. The patent for the telephone became recognized as the most valuable patent in
In 1886, the first US alternating current power plant was started in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Developed first in France, Italy and Germany, alternating current proved to be the best method for harnessing electric power. Learn more at http://edisontechcenter.org/HistElectPowTrans.html
In 1827, Italian physicist Alessandro Volta died at age 82. Alessandro Volta’s voltaic pile was the first battery that produced a reliable, steady current of electricity. Learn more at http://inventors.about.com/od/utstartinventors/a/Alessandro_Volta.htm
In 1977, the first CRAY 1 supercomputer was shipped. In the late 1970s, the Cray 1 became synonymous with high-speed computing./blockquote> Learn more at http://www.answers.com/topic/cray-inc In 1774, William Herschel first sighted Orion nebula. The Nebula is actually part of a larger nebula structure known as
In 1838, astronomer George W. Hill was born. His calculation of the effects of the planets on the moon’s motion was a particular case of the famous three-body problem, which dates back to Isaac Newton. Learn more at http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/George_William.aspx
In 1983, Compact Disc recording developed by Philips and Sony introduced to the US and European markets. The CD ushered in a shift from analog to digital in the music industry and spawned new digital technologies, including CD-Rom and DVD. Learn more at http://www.newscenter.philips.com/main/standard/about/news/press/20070816_25th_anniversary_cd.wpd
In 1924, Deke (Donald) Slayton, NASA astronaut and Chief of Flight Operations at Johnson Space Center, was born. Mr. Slayton was named one of the Mercury astronauts in 1959 and was originally scheduled to pilot the Mercury-Atlas 7 mission but was relieved of this assignment
In 1968, the first pulsar (CP 1919) was discovered by Jocelyn Burnell at Cambridge. A neutron star is made up of a very compact core, which is left when massive stars explode. Pulsars are the beams of radiation that emit from a neutron star as
In 1956, Jay Forrester was issued a patent for computer core memory. Jay Forrester invented core memory in 1949. It became the dominant form of computer memory in the 1950s, and remained in use until the late 1970s. Learn more at http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blforrester.htm
In 1998, Apple announced that it was discontinuing further development of the Newton operating system and Newton OS-based products. The MessagePad was the first in a series of Newton devices. A collaborative effort by Apple and Sharp, it weighed 1.4 lbs, had 640 KB of
In 1935, Robert Watson-Watt first demonstrated RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging). The demonstration was for the British Air Ministry. RADAR played an important role in saving Great Britain from defeat in World War II. Learn more at http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/02/dayintech_0226
In 1837, the first U.S. electric printing press was patented by Thomas Davenport. Thomas Davenport designed a motor that was strong enough to run a small printing press in 1834. He later patented the motor in 1837. Read more about early applications of electricity at
