TODAY IN SCIENCE HISTORY
NEWSLETTER • 5 OCTOBER
On 5 Oct 1880, William Lassell died, an English astronomer, who was an amateur, but wealthy enough to build his own telescope, and to set up his own observatory at Starfield, near Liverpool, England. An obituary on The Late Mr. William Lassell appeared in The Observatory: A Monthly Review Of Astronomy in Nov 1880. Or, read this shorter article on William Lassell for more information on this enterprising amateur.
On 5 Oct 1882, Robert H. Goddard was born, an American pioneer in the construction of liquid-fuel rockets for whom NASA's Goddard Space Center is named. Today's book pick is: Rocket Man: Robert H. Goddard and the Birth of the Space Age, by David Clary, a biography that details the significance of a scientist that is both complex and fascinating. He has been said to be—in his day—more famous than Einstein or Edison, yet he is the “forgotten man” of the space age. His own government ignored his rocketry until the Germans demonstrated its principles in the V-2 missiles of World War II. Though he is known as the father of rocketry, much of Goddard's pivotal role in launching the Space Age has been largely forgotten by the public.
It is available from Amazon, typically about New from $23.18. Used from $4.14. (As of earlier time of writing - subject to change.)
| no image | I picture the vast realm of the sciences as an immense landscape scattered with patches of dark and light. The goal towards which we must work is either to extend the boundaries of the patches of light, or to increase their number. One of these tasks falls to the creative genius; the other requires a sort of sagacity combined with perfectionism. — Denis Diderot, French encyclopedist (born 5 Oct 1713).  |
 | Let me tell you how at one time the famous mathematician Euclid became a physician. It was during a vacation, which I spent in Prague as I most always did, when I was attacked by an illness never before experienced, which manifested itself in chilliness and painful weariness of the whole body. In order to ease my condition I took up Euclid’s Elements and read for the first time his doctrine of ratio, which I found treated there in a manner entirely new to me. The ingenuity displayed in Euclid’s presentation filled me with such vivid pleasure, that forthwith I felt as well as ever. — Bernhard Bolzano, Czech mathematician and theologian (born 5 Oct 1781). |
 | There can be no thought of finishing, for aiming at the stars, both literally and figuratively, is the work of generations, but no matter how much progress one makes there is always the thrill of just beginning. — Robert Goddard, American physicist, rocket engineer and inventor (born 5 Oct 1882). |
| 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 | |
| no image | On 5 Oct 1921, Mahlon Bush Hoagland was born, an American biochemist who helped to discover transfer RNA. What is transported by transfer RNA? From where to where? |
 | On 5 Oct 1889, Dirk Coster was born, a Dutch physicist who co-discovered the element hafnium in an ore of zirconium by skillful X-ray analysis to distinguish the spectral lines of hafnium among other spectral lines. Coster had worked at Bohr's lab in Copenhagen. How is the name for hafnium related to Copenhagen? |
| Deaths | |
 | Seymour Cray (1925-1996) was a computer engineer who pioneered the use of transistors in computers and later was known for his development of specialized computers. For what computer invention is he best remembered? |
 | On 5 Oct 2011, an American inventor died, who is remembered for his innovations in computers and popular portable electronic devices. Can you name this inventor? |
| Events | |
 | On 5 Oct 1982, an unmanned rocket sled reached a record speed over the 9.5 mile-long rail track at White Sands Missile Test Base, New Mexico. What Mach number did it achieve (Mach 1 = the speed of sound)? |
| | On 5 Oct 1923 an astronomer identified the first Cepheid variable star. Which well-known astronomer made this discovery? |
Fast answers for the previous newsletter for October 4: devised a means of greatly extending the range of long-distance telephone communication by placing loading coils (of wire) at predetermined intervals along the transmitting wire • he added fresh citrus (oranges, lemons) to combat scurvy • Kitty Litter • 90 days • mole, mol • decade containing the year 1958.
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