Geek Facts

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

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