I had never heard of this individual before today, but his work was extensive and important.  On this date in 1863, Vladimir Ivanovich Vernadsky was born.  He was a great Russian scientist who contributed to several fields of scientific study.  In fact, he was one of the first to appreciate the need for specialized scientfic studies.  He is considered one […]

You may be familiar with Galileo Galilei, and on this date in 1616, he was presented with an injunction from the Spanish Inquisition.  Unfprtunately, the result of all this was that Galileo had to reverse his theory that the earth revolved around the sun.  No wonder the church is traditionally seen as backward in the field of science.  This was […]

I have a personal story tied to today’s feature.  On this date in 2003, the Columbia space shuttle disintegrated upon reëntry, killing all seven astronauts on board.  Let me tell you my personal story.  I had won a special evening out at an auction, and we had to use it before it expired.  My husband and I didn’t always enjoy […]

Today’s feature is extremely important to most of us in everyday life.  On this date in 1930, 3M began marketing Scotch tape.  It was Scotch Cellulose Tape, and it was extremely important in the Depression Era.  Water had been needed to seal cellophane, but now no water was needed.  Richard Drew was the inventor, and eventually his tape became known […]

Remember Dolly the Sheep?  As you’re probably aware, cloning is a controversial topic, and on this date in 1998, nineteen European nations voted to ban human cloning.  This ban was announced about the same time that genetic scientists suggested that it may be possible to replace human organs with cloned organs.  This could have opened up the door to growing […]

I  wasn’t aware of today’s feature.   On this date in 1954, the first successful kidney transplant occurred.  Richard Herrick had an incurable kidney disease, and his donor was his twin brother, Ronald Lee Herrick.  It was this fact (identical twin relationship) that ensured there would be no potential organ rejection.  Interestingly enough, Richard met his future wife, Clare, in the […]

Quite a day in science history is the subject of today’s feature.  On this date in 1982, the very first person received a permanent artificial heart.   Dr. Barney B. Clark was a Seattle dentist who suffered from congestive heart failure.  Doctors said he was too far gone to receive an actual heart transplant, so he was the logical and idea […]

How often do you use the windshield wipers on your car?  Are you grateful you have them in the middle of a bad storm?  I know I am!  And I did not realize the history behind this essential item.  On a trip to New York City one winter, Mary Anderson of Birmingham, Alabama was in a trolley car trying to […]

Today’s feature is fairly bittersweet.  On  this date in 1957, Laika became the first dog in space.  She was launched by the Soviets in Sputnik 2, and she was provided with enough food and water to last for ten days.  Her trip was to be a one-way trip.  Nothing was known about what happens when one reenters the atmosphere.  It […]

Well, I had no  idea that rabbits needed help in this area.  On this date in 1939, showed off the first artificially inseminated rabbit.  I guess scientists were looking for ways to help humans in this area. I never thought about rabbits and humans being similar, but I guess this helped scientists develop ways to help humans conceive artificially. For […]