Evel Knievel
December 3, 2007 at 11:00 pm | Posted in history | Leave a commentTags: history
Evel Knievel, stunt motorcyclist, passed away last week. I remember the following:
-watching him on ABC’s Wide World of Sports before there were hundreds of channels
-watching him on TV before every third channel had videos of cars crashing and bursting into flames
-playing with my Evil Knievel action figures
-watching his unsuccessful attempt to jump a rocket-powered motorcycle across the Snake River
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Interview – Paul Tibbets, first person to drop atomic bomb
November 8, 2007 at 11:35 pm | Posted in flight, history | Leave a commentTags: atomic bomb, flight, history
Paul Tibbets, who piloted the Enola Gay on her mission to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, died last week at the age of 92. I found this 8 minute interview with Mr. Tibbets on YouTube. The clip is from the documentary “Atomic Cafe” which was released in 1982 when the Cold War was still quite hot. I’d guess the interview itself is from the mid-sixties.
Take the “graphic images” warning to heart. There are images of Hiroshima wounded mixed in with the interview.
Topic: 1870-1910
October 26, 2007 at 1:12 pm | Posted in history | Leave a comment
The forty years between 1870 and 1910 take the U.S. from rebirth as a nation made whole again by war and into a period of rapid industrial and urban growth, innovation and invention coupled with the social change caused by a massive wave of immigration.
View these websites to assist you in selecting three research topics related to U.S. history between 1870 and 1910.
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/timeline/timelineO.cfm Use the slider bar at the bottom to scroll between 1870 and 1910. The different map icons are related to specific event, person, place or thing.
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/progress
http://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/timefram.htmlChoose three topics that you would like to learn more about and, in a complete sentence, tell me why. Do this for each topic.
Why? Because you will write a two to three page double spaced essay about one of these topics before the end of the semester. So you should choose a topic that is of interest to you.
Send your three topics and descriptions to rod@rodmilstead.com and type “topic: 1870-1910” in the subject line. Include your name in the email. That’s it.
Due before the start of class on Monday, October 29th.
Marin County fire history
October 25, 2007 at 12:12 am | Posted in history, marin | Leave a commentFrom the County of Marin Fire Department History
The largest fire was in September 1923, which burned 40,000 acres from Lucas Valley to Bolinas. This same fire burned 35 homes in Woodacre Later that same year, the Tavern complex on the Summit of Mount Tamalpais burned to the ground. The second largest fire occurred in 1936 and burned 4,000 acres. The third largest in October 1917 on the ridge west of Inverness burned 2,000 acres. The fourth largest and the most disastrous from a monetary standpoint was the July 1929 Mill Valley fire. It burned 1,000 acres and destroyed 110 homes in Mill Valley. Damage was more than one million dollars.
Expanded Gore-Nobel Peace Prize Coverage
October 15, 2007 at 10:38 am | Posted in history, politics | Leave a commentTags: non-tech
So, Gore picks up the NPP for his work bringing attention to the issues surrounding global warming (more here). This brings increased attention those who want Gore to run for president in 2008 (draftgore.com). Would he want to run? It’s possible that he had his fill of presidential elections when he lost (won) the 2000 election to Bush. Or maybe he feels that he can contribute more if he remains a private citizen.
If he doesn’t run then there is still the opportunity for him to endorse a candidate for president. This would be a significant boost to the lucky endorsee given Gore’s popularity. Would he give Hilary the nod? Seems logical given the connection. But remember the tension that existed between Bill and Al when then President Clinton endorsed Howard Dean in the 2000 election (details here). Does Gore still hold a grudge? I don’t know.
Side note – don’t forget Tipper Gore’s campaign to rate/censor music and her founding role in the Parents Music Resource Center. This was the beginning of ratings for music, TV and video games. Details about the effects of her 1985 testimony on this subject right here. This doesn’t have direct bearing on Gore but worth remembering.
Let’s close and ponder what could have been if Gore had won in 2000. Watch the video and dream.
Exam review activities
October 10, 2007 at 11:24 am | Posted in history | Leave a commentHangman – http://www.quia.com/hm/86810.html
Who wants to be a millionaire – http://www.quia.com/rr/185578.html
Extra Credit: Marin History Scavenger Hunt #1
October 8, 2007 at 10:34 pm | Posted in Bay Area, history, history hunt, marin, mystery | Leave a comment
Take a look at this picture.
To earn 10 points extra credit you must email correct answers to all questions to rod@rodmilstead.com
1) Where is this object located?
2) Tell me how this fits into Marin history – what was Buon Gusto?
3) What replaced Buon Gusto?
4) Where did you find your information?
First person to answer all questions correctly gets the extra credit.
Sputnik Turns 50
October 2, 2007 at 3:35 pm | Posted in engineering, flight, history, space | Leave a commentTags: invention
Actually, Sputnik burned up in the atmosphere. But the Russian satellite’s legacy endures, launching not only the space
race between the US and USSR but also serving a key moment in the Cold War. Sputnik orbited the Earth every 90 minutes crossing borders without regard for treaties or defenses. If “they” could launch a satellite what would be next? A bomb?
History links
October 1, 2007 at 11:07 am | Posted in history, tech | Leave a commentBurma/Myanmar update
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/01/hints-of-a-vast-grim-toll-in-burma/?hp
CNN – Most forgettable presidents. Ouch.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/wayoflife/09/28/forgotten.presidents/index.html
The Atari 2600 was released. And there was much rejoicing.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/01/happy-30th-birthday-atari-2600/
September 11th
September 10, 2007 at 9:45 pm | Posted in history, news | Leave a commentTags: non-tech
Here’s a small collection of links to provide you with background about the 9-11 attacks. Add your own in the comments section.
MSNBC’s 9-11 page – details and personal stories of the 9-11 attacks. Somewhat dramatized interactive piece is interesting.
Debunking 9-11 Myths – Popular Mechanics. This article discusses a variety of common conspiracy theories that surround the attacks. Then the authors disprove each theory.
Council on Foreign Relations Bin Laden profile – brief, clear answers to questons about Bin-Laden’s background, motivations and role in 9-11.
My photos
Daily Link 