Archive for the ‘People’
In 1842, Ada Lovelace Wrote the World’s First Computer Program
Today I found out that Ada Lovelace was the world’s first computer programmer all the way back in the mid-1800s, writing the world’s first computer program in 1842. She was also an accomplished mathematician, which was obviously quite rare for women in the era she lived.
Lovelace was the only legitimate daughter of Lord Byron, though [...]
‘Uncle Sam’ was a Real Person
Today I found out that ‘Uncle Sam’ was a real person, Samuel Wilson, born September 13th, 1766 and died on July 31st, 1854.
In 1789, Wilson and his brother Ebeneezer moved to Troy New York where they set up a counting house; Sam Wilson later died, then came back to haunt Ebeneezer on Christmas Eve trying [...]
Ben Franklin Developed a List of 13 Virtues That He Lived His Life By
Today I found out that Benjamin Franklin through extensive study of the world’s major religions and various moral codes came up with a list of thirteen main virtues that he felt every person should strive to live their life by. As such, he himself attempted to always live by this code and developed charts with [...]
A Japanese Soldier Who Continued Fighting WWII 29 Years After the Japanese Surrendered, Because He Didn’t Know
Today I found out about a Japanese soldier who continued fighting World War II a full 29 years after the Japanese surrendered, because he didn’t know the war was over.
Hiroo Onoda is a Japanese citizen that originally worked at a Chinese trading company. When he was 20 years old, he was called to join the [...]
Jack Nicholson’s Supposed Sister was Actually His Mother
Today I found out that the woman Jack Nicholson thought was his sister for a good portion of his life, turned out to be his mother.
In 1974, Jack Nicholson’s movie Chinatown was opening in theaters; Time Magazine then chose to do a cover story on Nicholson. Someone working at Time Magazine called Jack up to [...]
Simo Häyhä, “White Death”, Sniped Over 542 Soviet Soldiers in WWII
Today I found out Simo Häyhä, arguably the greatest sniper to ever live, sniped over 542 invading Soviet soldiers in World War II using nothing but a bolt action rifle that had no scope. He also has the distinction of having recorded the highest number of confirmed kills by any sniper in any major war; [...]
Charles Osborne had the Hiccups for 68 Years, From 1922 to 1990
Today I found out that Charles Osborne (1894-1991) had the hiccups non-stop for approximately 68 years, from 1922 to June 5th, 1990, which, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is the longest attack of the hiccups ever recorded.
His hiccups first started in 1922 while weighing a hog for slaughter. As he says, “I [...]
In WWI, Alvin York Captured 132 German Soldiers Pretty Much Single Handed
Today I found out that in WWI Alvin York almost single handedly captured 132 German soldiers using nothing but a rifle and a pistol, while the German soldiers having among them 32 machine guns along with rifles and pistols and the advantage of being above him in the biggest of the forays. And did I [...]
Conan O’Brien Spent Two Years as a Writer and Producer of the Simpsons
Today I found out that Conan O’Brien spent two years as a writer and producer of The Simpsons before replacing Letterman as the host of Late Night.
After becoming burnt out working at Saturday Night Live, Conan quit and decided to do something else, though he had no idea what. When Mike Reiss and Al Jean [...]
The Founder of Wendy’s Helped Save KFC and was a High School Dropout
Today I found out that Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s, before starting the Wendy’s franchise helped save the KFC franchise and was a high school dropout.
Thomas first worked at a Knoxville restaurant at the young age of 12 years old, from which he was eventually fired due to a misunderstanding with his boss about [...]
