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Nov 1, 1248
First Recorded Use Of Gunpowder In The Western World
Recorded in 1280 by a Bishop named Albertus Magnus, it is thought that the first use of gunpowder in the Western world was at the 1247-1248 Siege of Seville, which ended in November 1248. Whereas the Eastern world was no stranger to gunpowder, the remarkable transfer to it existing in the Western world was a clear-cut example that firearms weren't that far off from being common, and a whole new type of war was starting to emerge. -
Invention Of Smallpox Vaccine
While there is no specific date listed for this remarkable invention, the first vaccine invented and largely used is the smallpox vaccine. First created in 1796 by Edward Jenner, who made an insightful observation about how his milkmaids who had previously had cowpox did not catch smallpox, countless lives have been saved by the smallpox vaccine and the vaccines that followed. This was such a remarkable invention simply because it had never been done before; Jenner was a true pioneer of science. -
Successful Testing Of The First Electronic Digital Computing Device
First concieved in 1937 by John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry, the Atanasoff-Berry Computer was tested for the first time on April 2, 1942. It is the first electronic computing device and was proven as such after a patent dispute in the 1970s. The Atanasoff-Berry Computer, which was not derivative of the earlier Turing model, was a stand-alone machine that could perform equations. This laid the foundation for computers for many years to come, and computers now manage everything from food to war. -
First Artificial Satellite Is Launched Into Space
When people commonly think of the former Soviet Union's Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite ever launched into space, they think of space travel and astronauts. But the launch on October 4th, 1957 represented something much different to the field of communication. After Sputnik 1 was launched, hundreds more communications, surveillance, and various miscellaneous satellites were launched into orbit. Since 1957, 6,578 satellites have been launched into orbit, something Sputnik 1 signaled. -
Trans-Alaska Pipleline's First Journey Succeeds (Alaska)
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, one of Alaska's most well-known features, is responsible for much of the oil that moves in-state in Alaska. The pipeline was first used in July 1977, when a solitary barrell of oil was transported to Valdez, but it was put into full use almost immediately. Aside from being one of the more noticeable manmade lanmarks in Alaska, the Pipeline also provides an incredible amount of income for Alaskans by transfering the oil where it is needed. -
Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill (Alaska)
One of the most tragic events in Alaska's history is the Exxon-Valdez oil spill. On March 24th, 1989, the Exxon Valdez, a ship heading to California, collided with a reef and spilled up to 750 thousand barrells of oil in the Prince William Sound. The environment was ruined and hundreds of animals died, which made Prince William Sound unfishable and a generally ruined ecosystem. This is a clear example of technology and scientific advancements, i.e. the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, ruining lives. -
Red Dog Mine Is Opened (Alaska)
Red Dog Mine, an Alaskan mine first opened in December 1989, is a highly profitable mine with many natural resources. It is owned by NANA Regional Corporation, who are slated to own exactly 50% of the profits from Red Dog Mine as of 2012. The other 50% go to other Alaska Native corporations and maintaining the Red Dog Mine. The profits made allow Native corporations, most of all the Inupiats that make up most of the NANA Regional Corporation, to provide educational and aide to their members. -
Google Search Is Launched
On September 15, 1997, Google launched its search function. This revolutionized internet browsing by sheer convenience alone, and it quickly became more indispensable for internet browsing than anything else in use today. Google may not have been the first, but its user-friendly format caught on quickly as Google cemented its place in the web. According to Alexa, a company that monitors traffic to websites professionally, Google.com is the top-visited website in the entire world. -
Highland Tech Changes Microwaves
At public schools, sanitary conditions are less-than-great. The average cafeteria tray has approximately 33,800 germs on its surface regularly, versus 1,700 on the average student's hands. Highland Tech's microwaves are just as used as trays, but cleaned far less often. It's obvious that they need to be changed; a good alternative to the current microwaves are stainless-steel, i.e. much more sanitary and easy to clean ones like the $249.99 Maytag models available at Home Depot.
