Category Archives: Science

Voices — Forrest J. Ackerman, 1916 – 2008

Posted on December 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times THE TRUE BELIEVER: “I felt that the primary authors of science fiction were opening my eyes … to a better and more fascinating world,” says Forrest J Ackerman of the genre he has championed. … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood, Science | 26 Comments

Air Force Academy gets youngest cadet, November 19, 1958

Posted on November 19, 2008 by lmharnisch

Iven Kincheloe III, the 1-year-old son of a distinguished X-15 pilot who died in July 1958 in the crash of a jet fighter at Edwards Air Force Base, is recommended for an appointment to the Air Force Academy in 1972. … Continue reading →

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Morse code vs. text messaging

Posted on October 20, 2008 by lmharnisch

Which is faster, Morse code or text messaging? Jay Leno has the answer. (Score one for the brass pounders!) This is what 40 words per minute sounds like.            

Posted in broadcasting, Science, Television | Comments Off on Morse code vs. text messaging

October 5, 1958: Lost genius found in homeless camp

Posted on October 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Elmer Clarence “Mox” Meukel told his story to a couple of hobos in a shack on Scott Island in the Truckee River near Reno. Most people wrote him off as a crackpot dreamer. After all, he was a sometime songwriter … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Science | 2 Comments

Los Angeles history — Nuestro Pueblo

Posted on September 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

An oil derrick in the street near the Beverly Center? Who knew? Oil was 80 cents a barrel or $11.66 USD 2007.

Posted in Environment, Science | 2 Comments

Los Angeles on smog alert, Braves win against Cards, September 19, 1958

Posted on September 19, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles urged to drive less and reduce smog  Ozone levels in the region reach 0.53 per million, which would be a Stage 3 alert in 2008.    The "Mating Urge," in "flaming color." Imdb says this wasn’t released until … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Environment, Film, Freeways, Front Pages, Hollywood, Science, Sports | 1 Comment

Movie revival — 2001: A Space Odyssey

Posted on September 16, 2008 by lmharnisch

Oct. 12, 2008, 6 p.m. The Edison downtown. Tickets $20. Stanley Kubrick’s film, written with Arthur C. Clarke.

Posted in Coming Attractions, Film, Hollywood, Science | 1 Comment

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

   

Posted in Nuestro Pueblo, Science | Comments Off on Los Angeles–water and power, Nuestro Pueblo, August 15, 1938

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 →

Posted in #games, @news, Current Affairs, Dodgers, Front Pages, Science, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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 →

Posted in @news, Current Affairs, Science, Sports | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

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 →

Posted in @news, Downtown, Freeways, Front Pages, Science, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on July 15, 1908

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 →

Posted in @news, Current Affairs, Front Pages, Science, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

July 8, 1908: Woman’s Body Rescued From USC Dissection Lab

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 →

Posted in 1952, 1958, Science, Sports | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

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 →

Posted in #courts, @news, Adoptions, art and artists, City Hall, Front Pages, LAPD, Politics, Science | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on June 19, 1938

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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