TODAY IN SCIENCE HISTORY
NEWSLETTER • 3 OCTOBER
On 3 Oct 1803, John Gorrie was born, an American physician who conducted pioneering work in Apalachicola, Florida, on the artificial manufacture of ice, refrigeration, and air conditioning.
The significance of his work was recognized posthumously in 1914, by placing his statue in the Capitol, Washington, D.C. This was Florida's choice as one of the two contributions from each state displayed in Statuary Hall.
You can learn more by reading 'Apalachicola Birthplace of Mechanical Refrigeration,' a short article from Popular Mechanics magazine (1958) which includes a photo of a replica of Gorrie's first compression machine.
On 3 Oct 1952, the first British A-bomb was tested. On the same day seven years earlier, on 3 Oct 1945, a U.S. bill was introduced to keep the atomic bomb secret; it was opposed by scientists and the bill failed. Today's book pick is: The Making of the Atomic Bomb, by Richard Rhodes, a Pulitzer Prize winning book that brilliantly covers all aspects of the making of the bomb. No matter how well-informed you feel you already are, you will still find the gripping story presented in this definitive book that will further your understanding.
It is available from Amazon, typically about New from $26.88. Used from $2.68. (As of earlier time of writing - subject to change.)
 | A camel is a horse designed by committee. — Sir Alec Issigonis, Turkish-British engineer (died 3 Oct 1988).  |
 | Thou, O God, dost sell unto us all good things at the price of labour. Quotation credited to Leonardo da Vinci that she chose for her bookplate, and which reflects her outlook on her work. — Florence Rena Sabin, American anatomist (died 3 Oct 1953). |
| | From the physician, as emphatically the student of Nature, is expected not only an inquiry into cause, but an investigation of the whole empire of Nature and a determination of the applicability of every species of knowledge to the improvement of his art. — John Gorrie, American physician (born 3 Oct 1803). |
| 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 | |
| | John Gorrie, born 3 Oct 1803, was an American physician and early pioneer in the invention of the artificial manufacture of ice, refrigeration, and air conditioning. He built a small steam engine to drive a piston in a cylinder immersed in brine. The piston first compressed the air, and then on the second stroke, when the air expanded, it drew heat from the brine. The chilled brine was used to cool air or make ice. What first caused him to work on this idea? |
 | Alexander Macmillan, born 3 Oct 1818, was a Scottish publisher. Although he was not himself a professional scientist, he did much to promote science in the Victorian times by supporting a periodical on scientific work and discovery. Norman Lockyer was its first editor. The journal began with three decades of losses, but continues to publish today. Which journal did Macmillan make possible? |
| Deaths | |
 | Elias Howe (1819-1867) patented his version of a certain important manufacturing machine, but its commercial success required defending against the better-marketed machine by Isaac Singer. What was Howe's machine? |
| | Sir Alec Issigonis (1906-1988) was the automotive engineer who designed a landmark car for the British Motor Corporation, introduced on 26 Aug 1959. It was only 10-ft long, yet still held four passengers. It had a transversely mounted engine and a distinctive appearance. With modern updates, it remains successful over half a century later. Which car did Issigonis design? |
| Events | |
| no image | On 3 Oct 1947, after 11 years of grinding and polishing the 20-ton, 200-inch diameter telescope lens was completed for the Hale Telescope (named in recognition of the then late George Hale who had initiated the project). The Hale Tescope is installed at which observatory? |
 | On 5 Oct 1941, the first U.S. patent that was issued for an aerosol can used in a commercial application was issued. It was invented by two U.S. Dept. of Agriculture researchers: chemist Lyle D. Goodhue and entomologist William N. Sullivan. What product was contained in this commercial aerosol? |
Fast answers for the previous newsletter for October 2: neon, krypton and xenon, and co-discovered argon • gyroscope • Swedish • steam engine • 23 years • decade containing the year 1956.
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