Geek Facts

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 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

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