Newsletter for Thursday 14 January.

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TODAY IN SCIENCE HISTORY

NEWSLETTER • 14 JANUARY

Feature for Today

Book of the Day

On 14 Jan 1902, Alfred Tarski was born, Polish-American mathematician and logician who made important studies in mathematical logic, set theory, general algebra and measure theory. Today's book pick is: Alfred Tarski: Life and Logic, by Anita Burdman Feferman, Solomon Feferman. Alfred Tarski, one of the greatest logicians of all time, is widely thought of as 'the man who defined truth'. His mathematical work on the concepts of truth and logical consequence are cornerstones of modern logic, influencing developments in philosophy, linguistics and computer science. The author places Tarski in the social, intellectual and historical context of his times and presents a frank, vivid picture of a personally and professionally passionate man, interlaced with an account of his major scientific achievements.

It is available from Amazon, typically about New from $21.98. Used from $5.06. (As of earlier time of writing - subject to change.)

Quotations for Today

	There is a river in the ocean. In the severest droughts it never fails, and in the mightiest floods it never overflows. Its banks and its bottom are of cold water, while its current is of warm. The Gulf of Mexico is its fountain, and its mouth is in the Arctic Sea. It is the Gulf Stream. — Matthew Fontaine Maury, American naval officer, oceanographer and hydrographer (born 14 Jan 1806).
	If a mathematician wishes to disparage the work of one of his colleagues, say, A, the most effective method he finds for doing this is to ask where the results can be applied. The hard pressed man, with his back against the wall, finally unearths the researches of another mathematician B as the locus of the application of his own results. If next B is plagued with a similar question, he will refer to another mathematician C. After a few steps of this kind we find ourselves referred back to the researches of A, and in this way the chain closes. — Alfred Tarski, Polish-American mathematician and logician (born 14 Jan 1902).
	Science is what scientists do, not what nonscientists think they do or ought to be doing. Wetenschap is wat wetenschappers doen. — Dennis Flanagan, American editor (died 14 Jan 2005).

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
	On 24 Jan 1861, David Wesson was born, an American chemist who created Wesson Oil. He experimented with purifying a certain vegetable oil, and developed a system (1900) to make the pure oil palatable. This type of vegetable oil was the first used in the U.S. It is a versatile oil prized by chefs for its ability to allow the flavour of foods to come through. What vegetable oil did Wesson first create?
	On 14 Jan 1890, Rolla Neil Harger was born, an American toxicologist and biochemist who was at Indiana University when he invented the first successful machine for testing human blood alcohol content. What was the first human blood alcohol content testing machine called?
Deaths
	Benjamin Silliman, Jr. (1816-1885) was an American chemist who reported on the potential uses of a new U.S. product, suggesting it especially for illumination. What product was the subject of his study?
	An English logician, mathematician, photographer, and novelist (1832-1898) is especially remembered for his classic children’s stories. After graduating from Christ Church College, Oxford in 1854, he remained there, lecturing on mathematics and writing treatises until 1881. Can you name of this mathematician?
Events
	On 14 Jan 1878 newest advance in assembly line production of “modern” cars was announced by a certain manufacturer. The new continuous motion method reduced assembly time of a car from over 12 hours to 93 minutes. Which manufacturer initiated the modern assembly line?
	On 14 Jan 1878, the first demonstration of Alexander Graham Bell's telephone to Queen Victoria at her Osborne House estate. When the Queen saw his telephone, she was much impressed, and ordered a private line to be laid between Osborne House and Buckingham Palace. Where, off the British mainland, was Queen Victoria's Osbourne House estate?

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 January 14 web page of Today in Science History. Or, try this link first for just the brief answers.

Fast answers for the previous newsletter for January 13: pancreas • a 1-mm-long soil roundworm • sawdust, linen or bark • England • decade including the year 1976 • pie pans thrown by truck drivers from the Frisbee Pie Co. of Connecticut.

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Copyright

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