Category Archives: Science

Los Angeles history — smog

Posted on September 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

I stumbled across a blog devoted to air pollution called Smogtown, written by Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly, authors of a forthcoming book by the same name. Overlook, their publisher, says: "Smogtown is the story of pollution, progress, and … Continue reading →

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November 26, 1904: UFO over Los Angeles

Posted on August 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

No, the object at left is not a flying saucer on a stick. It is, in fact, Los Angeles’ earliest attempt at street lighting in which carbon arc lights were mounted on tall poles around the city. This one was … Continue reading →

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Los Angeles–water and power, Nuestro Pueblo, August 15, 1938

Posted on August 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

   

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US sub sails under polar ice cap, Dodgers win over Giants, August 9, 1958

Posted on August 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

    he nuclear submarine Nautilus crosses beneath the polar ice cap and surfaces near Greenland … The U.S. plans to withdrawn 2,000 Marines from Lebanon … And U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold proposes a peace plan for the Middle East … Continue reading →

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US drops atomic bomb on Japan, August 6, 1945

Posted on August 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

    he beginning of the Atomic Age. Note that the Associated Press story identifies Hiroshima as a Japanese army base. President Harry Truman says the Japanese "may expect a rain of ruin from the air the like of which … Continue reading →

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July 15, 1908

Posted on July 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

ere’s an update on the story of Joseph H.N. Longy, who was arrested on charges of sending threatening letters to local businessmen. The Times gives an elaborate description of his "oil gun" and a primitive hand grenade that was found … Continue reading →

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July 9, 1908

Posted on July 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, 3rd and Hill in 1908 and via Google maps’ street view, below. age 1 is quite a curio of another era in political coverage. "Women Vie With Men in Maniacal Howls" is not a headline one sees terribly often … Continue reading →

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July 8, 1908

Posted on July 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

arion Jones died with a secret–and a lot of medical bills ($2,308.64 for doctors’ visits in 2007 dollars). She died owing $29.45 ($647.52 USD 2007), so she was turned over to the medical school at USC to be dissected by … Continue reading →

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July 3, 1938

Posted on July 3, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, a panel from "Buck Rogers." he editors of the Daily Mirror have several sayings: "We cannot forget the past, but also we cannot live there," "Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but not their own facts," and my … Continue reading →

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Anti-gravity house

Posted on June 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

An anti-gravity house? You may laugh, the author says, but remember "atomic control" seemed impossible a mere 20 years ago. And no more hassles with dusting!        

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June 19, 1958: Scientist disappears

Posted on June 20, 2008 by lmharnisch

Albert and Alfred… Before and after… Lost and found… Found but still missing … still haunted by something and still walking in a dream.  I pulled the photos of Albert and Alfred from their old-fashioned paper envelope, slightly tattered and … Continue reading →

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June 19, 1938

Posted on June 19, 2008 by lmharnisch

ermany begins the systematic roundup of Jews on the pretext of putting them in "protective custody" or claiming that they are foreigners "without proper papers." "At Buchenwald Concentration Camp, near Weimar, it was reported that 65 army buses were arriving … Continue reading →

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Giant bomber

Posted on June 13, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, The Times’ drawing of Douglas’ bomber, June 13, 1938. Here are a couple of photos of the XB-19 from the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The XB-19 made its first flight in 1941. My thanks to … Continue reading →

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June 13, 1938

Posted on June 13, 2008 by lmharnisch

orrect me if I’m wrong, but this plane at left looks like a DC-4E. Either that or a very weird B-17 with six engines and the tail of a constellation.  Times staff writer James Bassett takes a look at the … Continue reading →

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May 26, 1908

Posted on May 26, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, J.S. Zerbe and his "Aeronef," Jan. 19, 1909. May 26, 1908 Yes, Professor Zerbe’s "Aeronef" was a strange-looking contraption and I’m not sure he ever got it off the ground (he later experimented with a dirigible). But the Aero … Continue reading →

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The comics

Posted on May 25, 2008 by lmharnisch

May 25, 1958 Wow! Some day in the future, students will have computers in the classroom! Notice that none of them are texting their pals or playing World of Warcraft!

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May 15, 1908

Posted on May 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, the Wright Bros. suffer a setback due to pilot error. Don’t despair, because in less than two years,  Aviation Week will bring aeroplanes to Rancho Dominguez … Below, crime briefs from "life’s seamy side": James Mulhall, partner in Venice’s … Continue reading →

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Jack Parsons, RIP

Posted on May 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

May 7, 1938   Above, John W. "Jack" Parsons poses with his replica of the pipe bomb used in an attempt to kill Harry Raymond. Parsons, one of the founders of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is an enigmatic figure who … Continue reading →

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May 5, 1958

Posted on May 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, migration of Los Angeles Jews to the Westside and the San Fernando Valley is reflected in the sale of the Eastside Jewish Community Center, 2317 Michigan. Below, Los Angeles begins Cinco de Mayo celebrations with a Sunday picnic, with … Continue reading →

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The comics

Posted on April 13, 2008 by lmharnisch

April 13, 1958 Yes, kids, someday soon we earthlings will be mining the moon. Email me

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