Category Archives: Science

November 26, 1904: UFO over Los Angeles

Posted on November 26, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 24, 1906: No, this isn’t a flying saucer on a stick. It’s an early attempt at carbon arc street lighting. Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Front Pages, Politics, Science, UFOs | Comments Off

October 5, 1958: Lost genius found in homeless camp

Posted on October 5, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 5, 1958: Lost genius Elmer “Mox” Meukel is found living in homeless camp. Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Science | Comments Off

Found on EBay — Quiet Birdmen

Posted on July 31, 2025 by lmharnisch

In an encore post from 2009, a Quiet Birdmen belt buckle and other belongings of a QB member was listed on EBay. Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Science, Transportation | Comments Off

Matt Weinstock, Aug. 2, 1960

Posted on August 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

A cargo of stolen Caltechium? Aug. 2, 1960: What do you suppose is in Caltechium? Matt Weinstock looks at one family’s problems in having a swimming pool.

Posted in art and artists, books, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock, Science, UFOs | 2 Comments

Pages of History – The Medical Profession of Southern California

Posted on July 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

The other day while researching the 1910 Times bombing, I discovered a digitized book that I have been trying to buy for years: Dr. George H. Kress’ “A History of the Medical Profession of Southern California.” Notice that this is … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910 L.A. Times bombing, books, Science | Comments Off

On the Frontiers of Education

Posted on June 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 9, 1910: Officials dedicate Pasadena Hall, the first building constructed at Throop Polytechnic Institute. “The new Throop is designed to become one of the great engineering schools of the United States,” The Times says. The hall, which was … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Fashion, Science | Comments Off

From the Vaults: ‘First Spaceship on Venus’ (1960)

Posted on June 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

Well, "First Spaceship on Venus" is quite the odd little movie: a vintage space epic filmed in East Germany and co-produced with Poland. It features an international team of characters and a strong anti-nuclear message! Released in German as "Der … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, From the Vaults, Hollywood, Science, UFOs | 2 Comments

U.S. Launches Spy Satellite

Posted on May 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 25, 1960: The U.S. successfully launches a Midas satellite after a previous attempt failed. The Times editorialized that the satellites would make spy planes such as the U-2 obsolete. Which is why the Midas satellites became space … Continue reading →

Posted in LAPD, San Fernando Valley, Science, Transportation | Comments Off

Mt. St. Helens Erupts

Posted on May 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 19, 1980: Mt. St. Helens erupts in what The Times called “the largest volcanic eruption in historic times in the contiguous United States.” The eruption killed 57 people, including 21 who were never found, The Times said. … Continue reading →

Posted in Charles Hillinger, Science | Comments Off

Miracle TI-99/4 Home Computer Has 16K RAM, Runs BASIC!

Posted on May 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 16, 1980: The absolutely amazing TI-99/4 home computer … with 16K RAM! BASIC! 16-color graphics! Thermal printer! An an acoustic coupler! Notice that the ad doesn’t even list a price. Update: If you poke around a little bit you … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | 4 Comments

Little Damage From 6.0 Quake, 1910

Posted on May 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 16, 1910: Here’s an interesting problem – how did newspapers report an earthquake 100 years ago? The Times gathered brief accounts over a wide area, from San Diego and Santa Catalina Island to Riverside, Banning, Mt. Wilson and … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Comments Off

Air Force Studied Antimissile Ray Gun

Posted on April 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 4, 1960: A little boy, a dog, an ice cream cone … and an ice bag? Very cute. No, we don’t do this anymore. On the jump, the Air Force discontinues work on a light ray that would … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Film, Hollywood, Photography, Science | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 21 1960

Posted on March 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

Journalism Lesson From a Dixie Editor My mother didn’t exactly cancel her subscription to The Mirror News. What she did, she called me up — collect — from her flat in the Bronx just before Christmas last year with … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Science, Transportation | Comments Off

Lummis Quits Library Job

Posted on March 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 5, 1910: This was one of those days when there were too many good stories to focus on one: Charles Lummis resigns as city librarian … a veterinarian's assistant dies a horrible death after being bitten by a … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, books, City Hall, Front Pages, Science | Comments Off

Ultimate Baby Einstein? Sperm Bank Specializes in Nobel Winners

Posted on March 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

Look! It’s a Trash 80 with 64K RAM and an 8-inch floppy drive for only $3,450 [$8,902.02 USD 2008]. Feb. 29, 1980: Let’s see … a sperm bank of Nobel-winning scientists. These children should be at least 30 now.Wonder what … Continue reading →

Posted in Immigration, Science, Web/Tech | Comments Off

Paulhan Takes First Day of Aviation Meet

Posted on January 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Glenn Curtiss at the Aviation Meet, 1910. Lt. Beck inspects a Gnome engine. Jan. 11, 1910: The Times says of Louis Paulhan, who flew 10.75 miles: "Handling his steering apparatus with one hand and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Front Pages, Science, travel | Comments Off

L.A. Ready to Take to the Air

Posted on January 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

An aerial view of Los Angeles. The Times publishes photos of the aviation grounds and members of the aviation committee. "Each of the big aviators are made headliners each day and will contest for one prize or another daily. … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Obituaries, Science, Transportation | Comments Off

Pilots Assemble Planes for Aviation Meet

Posted on January 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

Two views of the Gill-Dosh biplane at Dominguez Station. 3rd and Boylston streets, home of the Collins wireless station, via Google maps’ street view. Jan. 7, 1910: Airplanes are being assembled at Dominguez Station for the Aviation … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Science, Transportation | Comments Off

World’s First Wireless Phone?

Posted on December 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Texting is next! Dec. 16, 1909: The Times reports that disagreement over education and missionaries has been resolved on the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. “The ruling faction at Oraibi is well content to be included in the progress of … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion, Science, Web/Tech | Comments Off

Predictions for Aviation Week

Posted on December 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 7, 1909: How would you describe flying in an airplane to someone who’s never done it in a time when all but a few people are earthbound? "By climbing to the top of a tall tree in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Science, Transportation | Comments Off