 | TODAY IN SCIENCE HISTORY
NEWSLETTER - 28 JANUARY |
 On 28 Jan 1855, William Seward Burroughs was born, the American inventor who produced the first practical adding machine. He invented a mechanical device to do arithmetic chores. Today, dear reader, you likely have a cellphone or wristwatch, which weighs a fraction, gives results in a fraction of the time, and costs a fraction when compared to Burroughs’ device. But don't let that belittle Burroughs’ accomplishment. In his time he provided bank clerks with the ability to add numbers accurately, and print out the results. He died only a few years after establishing the successful company, which by merger became Unisys in the 1980s. By answering the need to calculate in his time, Burroughs set in motion an industry that now produces the cellphone in your time. The article, The Burroughs Adding Machine from the book The City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922 (1922) says “There is no story in American industrial history more absorbing, more replete with human interest…” Also, there is a sad contrast between the fortunes of the city of Detroit then, when compared to now, when the centre of innovation has moved to Silicon Valley. Which gives another dimension as you read this article. |
 On 28 Jan 1884, Auguste Piccard was born, Swiss-Belgian physicist who explored both the great heights of the upper stratosphere and also the great depths of the sea in ships of his own design. His twin brother, Jean-Felix, born of course on this same day, also made stratospheric balloon ascents, complementing Auguste's research of cosmic rays. Today's Science Store pick is: Between Earth And Sky, by A Piccard who reveals in his own words his motivation, how he accomplished his astonishing achievements and the valuable data he gathered. Several decades before space travel, he explored the limits of previously inaccessible heights and depths. It is available Used from $9.59. (As of time of writing.). | | For picks from earlier newsletters, see the Today in Science History Science Store home page. | |
| 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. |
When you have your answers ready to all the questions above, you'll find all the information to check them, and more, on the January 28 web page of Today in Science History. Or, try this link first for just the brief answers.
Fast answers for the previous newsletter for January 27: USS Nautilus • Charles Lutwidge Dodgson • first U.S. astronaut to walk in space • birds • decade including the year 1926 • soil. |
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