science newsletter: Newsletter for Monday 26 November

Newsletter - November 26 - Today in Science History

TODAY IN SCIENCE HISTORY

NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 26

Before you look at today's web page, see if you can answer some of these questions about the events that happened on this day. Some of the names are very familiar. Others will likely stump you. Tickle your curiosity with these questions, then check your answers on today's web page.

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Quotations for Today

"However high we climb in the pursuit of knowledge we shall still see heights above us, and the more we extend our view, the more conscious we shall be of the immensity which lies beyond. - Sir William George Armstrong, English inventor and industrialist (born 26 Nov 1810)

"...He cannot conclude however, without observing, that from the contemplation of so great a variety of extraneous fossils discovered in the cliffs which were evidently the produce of very different climates, he thinks himself rationally induced to believe that nothing short of an universal deluge could be a cause adequate to this effect." - Edward Jacob, English naturalist and fossil collector (died 26 Nov 1788)

"...we made a tiny breach in the top left hand corner (of the second of two doorways) to see what was beyond. ... the interior of the chamber gradually loomed before one, with its strange and wonderful medley of extraordinary and beautiful objects heaped upon one another." - Archaeologist (in quiz below) notes at the tomb of King Tutankamun for 26 Nov 1922.

QUIZ

Births

John Newlands, born 26 Nov 1837, was a British chemist who first established an order of elements by the atomic weights, and observed a periodicity in the properties whereby every eighth element has similar properties (7 Feb 1863). It took another quarter century, and the work of others, such as Mendeleev, for the significance of his discovery to be recognized.
What was Newlands law of periodicity called?

Deaths

John Loudon McAdam was a Scottish inventor of of macadamized roads. He developed new methods of road construction. Stones were graded and laid in three levels, with the smallest stones crushed and laid as a top surface. This provided swifter and safer travel.
What material did he later add to bind the top layer of the road surface?

Events

On 26 Nov of a certain year, the French President opened the world's first tidal power station at Rance estuary, in Brittany, the most powerful tidal power plant in the world. At high and low tide, the water builds up rapidly on one of the sides of the 700-m dam across the estuary. When the difference in level is sufficient, the gates are opened and the water rushes into the dam. The turbines are reversible so as to be able to operate regardless of the direction of water flow.
In which decade was this first tidal power station opened?

On 26 Nov 1965, a country became the third to reach space when it launched its first satellite, Astrix 1. With a 42-kg payload, the launch was a test of the "Diamant" launching vehicle for the first time.
Which country was the third into space?

On 26 Nov 1922, an archaeologist pierced the second of two doorways closing the tomb of King Tutankamun. He made archaeological history by unearthing the first Egyptian pharaonic tomb that still contained most of its treasures. The antechamber was entered the next day.
Can you name this archaeologist?

Answers

When you have your answers ready to all the questions above, you'll find all the information to check them, and more, on the November 26 web page of Today in Science History.

Or, try this link first for just the brief answers.

Fast answers for the previous newsletter for November 25: steel; Monarch butterfly; the decade containing the year 1948; dynamite.

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