TODAY IN SCIENCE HISTORY
NEWSLETTER • 18 AUGUST
On 18 Aug 1868, while in India, observing a solar eclipse, Pierre Janssen discovered the first evidence of an unknown element. He identified a previously unknown bright yellow line in the spectrum of the chromosphere of the sun. Janssen, an eminent French astronomer, spent a lifetime engaged in the study of the sun and the information that could be gained from its spectrum. He made the first photographs of the granular structure of the Sun's surface.
To better observe the light and to reduce the effect of the earth's atmosphere, even late in his life, he resolved to have an observatory built high on Mont Blanc. To overcome the restrictions of his age, to make the climb, he had the physical assistance of a dozen guides.
Another problem to overcome was how to establish a two-story structure building on a base of snow. The solution designed, and more details of his accomplishments are given in The Observatory On Top Of Mont Blanc, an article from McClure’s Magazine (1894).
On 18 Aug 1990, B.F. Skinner died, the American psychologist whose pioneering work in experimental psychology remains significant. He promoted behaviorism, shaping behavior through positive and negative reinforcement. To investigate the learning processes of animals, he observed their behaviour in a simple box with a lever which, when activated by the animal, would give a reward (or punishment). The reward, such as pellets of food or water, acts as a primary reinforcer. [BOOKINFO}. The author provides plenty of material both to help to understand Skinner the scientist and philosopher, and to learn about Skinner the man. Bjork gives an insightful narrative of a fascinating life, of the astounding breakthroughs Skinner made as a researcher, and the lasting influences that his work has on the science of psychology
It is available from Amazon, typically about New from $51.95. Used from $4.27. (As of earlier time of writing - subject to change.)
 | The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. — Walter Chrysler, American industrialist and inventor (died 18 Aug 1940).  |
 | A vast technology has been developed to prevent, reduce, or terminate exhausting labor and physical damage. It is now dedicated to the production of the most trivial conveniences and comfort. — B. F. Skinner, American psychologist (died 18 Aug 1990). |
 | As the proverb says, “You cannot fly like an eagle with the wings of a wren.” — William Henry Hudson, English author, naturalist and ornithologist (died 18 Aug 1922). |
| 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 | |
 | Bern Dibner, born 18 Aug 1897, was a Ukrainian-American engineer and historian of science. Dibner worked as an engineer during the electrification of a certain island country. Realizing the need for improved methods of connecting electrical conductors, in 1924, he founded the Burndy Engineering Company. Later, he began collecting books and everything he could find that was related to the history of science. This became a second career as a scholar In which country was he working as an engineer for its electrification? |
 | Pierre-Émile Martin, born 18 Aug 1824, was a French engineer who co-invented the (now obsolete) open-hearth process, which produced most of the world’s steel until the development of the basic oxygen process. With whom did he coinvent this process, which is known by both their names? |
| Deaths | |
 | Richard Synge (1914-1994) was a British biochemist who shared the 1952 Nobel Prize for Chemistry with A.J.P. Martin for their development of partition chromatography. Which simplest form of this chromatography was developed? |
 | André-Jacques Garnerin (1769-1823) was a French aeronaut, the first person to use a parachute regularly and successfully. He perfected the parachute and made jumps from greater altitudes than had been possible before. On 22 Oct of a certain year, Garnerin made his first jump above the Parc Monceau in Paris. From what height did he make his first parachute jump? |
| Events | |
 | On 18 Aug of a certain year, trying to deal with extreme drought, the first rainmaking experiments in the U.S. were conducted near Midland, Texas. They were paid for by a grant from the U.S. government. Patent attorney Gen. Robert Dyrenforth tried using explosive balloons and artillery to try to make rain clouds develop. In what decade did this take place? |
| | On 18 Aug 1868, Pierre Janssen discovered a previously unknown bright yellow line in the spectrum of the chromosphere of the sun during a solar eclipse he was observing from India. This was an indication of a new element. For over 30 years, it was assumed the element was only present in the sun. The spectral line was not observed in the lab until 1895 when Sir William Ramsay examined a substance from cleveite. What name was given to this new element? |
Fast answers for the previous newsletter for August 17: non-smear (“stays on you not on him”) kissproof lipstick that stayed on the lips longer than any other product then available • malignant disease of lymph tissue • first plane to break the sound barrier • James Watt • the decade including 1896 • Phobos.
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