-Since 1957 the word laser has been an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. In 1964, three prominent scientists shared a Nobel Prize for developing the world’s first lasers. After that event, it came to light that a graduate student named Gordon Gould designed a laser before 1964. Gordon filed a law suit and in 1977 he was granted patent rights for laser development. It has now been revealed that in 1960one Theodore Maiman had apparently built and demonstrated a working laser. I theorize that it may have been the professor guy on Gilligan’s Island who was the first actual laser-man. I recall that he could build a radio out of a coconut shell and some wires. Anyway, I say “Congratulations to Somebody” for laser brilliance.
– Some biophysicists claim that noses on animals (including us) can detect“smells” not only by evaluating particles that make contact with olfactory receptors, but also by “interpreting” vibrations emitted by odor-producing objects. I sometimes detect foul-smelling vibrations when I venture near pig farms. Could the vibrations possibly be “fowl-smelling” as I pass by a turkey farm?
– From1939-1942, there was an underwater post office located in the Bahamas.
– Bracken Cave, about 70 miles from Austin, Texas is home to approximately20,000,000 bats from March to October each year. Massive evening cavern departures of bats have amazed observers for centuries. The local skies can be literally darkened by millions of squeaking, swirling chiropterans.
– Some marathon races have more than fifty thousand entrants. It had become a growing problem to keep track of every competitor and provide some guarantee as to which runners had traversed the entire course (26.2miles). A recent strategy involves race authorities issuing RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chips to be sewn into fabrics on chest garments. Sensors are placed at intervals along the race path,thusly enabling progressions and elapsed times to be updated,recorded and relayed electronically.
– Between2000 and 2015, the deaths of Americans over 65 caused by heart disease decreased 11% (as reported by Discover Magazine). During that same interval, American senior deaths resulting from Alzheimer’s disease complications increased an alarming 123%.
– Some folks occasionally throw salt over their left shoulders for good luck. Tradition says this habit originated in order to put salt into the devil’s eyes. Old Scratch purportedly follows closely behind the left sides of targeted victims. Well, avoid odoriferous vibrations – and have a great day.
James White is a retired mathematics teacher who enjoys sharing fascinating trivia. He can be reached at [email protected].
