Newsletter for Wednesday 8 July.

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TODAY IN SCIENCE HISTORY

NEWSLETTER • 8 JULY

Feature for Today

Book of the Day

On 8 Jul 1831, American pharmacist John Styth Pemberton was born, whose invention (1885) is known internationally, though his name remains little known. Today's book pick is: For God, Country, and Coca-Cola, by Mark Pendergrast. The book tells the story of this invention from its origins, with vivid portraits of the entrepreneurs who founded the company that made it dominant in the new industry.

It is available from Amazon, typically about New from $20.00. Used from $1.98. (As of earlier time of writing - subject to change.)

Quotations for Today

	Comprehension, inventiveness, direction, and criticism: intelligence is contained in these four words. — Alfred Binet, French psychologist (born 8 Jul 1857).
	The year that Rutherford died (1938 [sic]) there disappeared forever the happy days of free scientific work which gave us such delight in our youth. Science has lost her freedom. Science has become a productive force. She has become rich but she has become enslaved and part of her is veiled in secrecy. I do not know whether Rutherford would continue to joke and laugh as he used to. — Pyotr Leonidovich Kapitsa, Soviet physicist (born 8 Jul 1894).
	When I was young Science walked hand-in-hand with Art; now she walks arm-in-arm with Trade. — Sir John Arthur Thomson, Scottish naturalist (born 8 Jul 1861).

Quiz

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.
Births
	One of the most famous pioneers of aviation was born 8 July 1838 in Germany. He was the airship designer and first builder of the rigid dirigible airships now known after his name. At first, some of his fellow citizens in his town, incredulous of his inventions, called him “Foolish Count.” His first airship took off in July 1900 at Lake Constance, on the Swiss-German border. Can you name this inventor?
	John Styth Pemberton was an American pharmacist, born 8 July 1831, who invented a tonic in 1885. Later he modified the formula by omitting the alcohol and adding other vegetable essences. The new syrup was meant to be a sure cure for headaches. Pemberton later sold the recipe, equipment and machinery to manufacture the drink to Asa G. Candler for $1200. Pemberton’s pharmacy was in the same city where the Coca-Cola Company headquarters is still based. In which city was Pemberton’s pharmacy?
Deaths
	Hyman Rickover (1900-1986) was a Polish-American who eventually became an Admiral and served on active duty with the United States Navy for more than 63 years, receiving exemptions from the mandatory retirement age due to his critical service to the Navy. What was his major contribution to Navy technology?
	A Dutch mathematician, astronomer, and physicist (1629-1695) founded the wave theory of light, discovered the true shape of the rings of Saturn, and made original contributions to the science of dynamics - the study of the action of forces on bodies. Can you name this scientist?
Events
	On 8 Jul of a certain year, for the first time in the U.S., a successful vaccination was conducted using cowpox serum to prevent smallpox. It was administered by Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse upon his young son and a servant boy. As one of the best educated American physicians of his time Waterhouse knew of the work of Edward Jenner. He imported some cowpox vaccine. Waterhouse continued to establish its benefits in the U.S., and stressed the necessity of using pure vaccine. What was the decade in which Waterhouse vaccinated his son?

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 July 8 web page of Today in Science History. Or, try this link first for just the brief answers.

Fast answers for the previous newsletter for July 7: 11 year sunspot cycle • punched cards; later applied by Hollerith to processing 1890 US census data • University of Edinburgh degree as a medical doctor, later followed by briefly studying ophthalmology in Vienna, to become an eye specialist • Phillips-head screw, adopted for use on automobile assembly lines • M.A. degree from Trinity College, Cambridge University • Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona, Lake Mead.

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Copyright

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