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Wilkins, Sir George Hubert

(Encyclopedia) Wilkins, Sir George Hubert, 1888–1958, British explorer, b. Australia. He made a number of trips to Antarctica and to the Arctic. Valuable experience gained when he accompanied…

Whitehead, Gustave Albin

(Encyclopedia) Whitehead, Gustave Albin, 1874–1927, German inventor and airplane pioneer, b. Gustav Albin Weisskopf. He immigrated to the United States in 1893 and later Americanized his name, but…

carpe diem

(Encyclopedia) carpe diemcarpe diemkärˈpĕ dēˈĕm [key], a descriptive term for literature that urges readers to live for the moment [from the Latin phrase “seize the day,” used by Horace]. The theme,…

Bologna, Giovanni

(Encyclopedia) Bologna, Giovanni, or GiambolognaGiambolognajōvänˈnē bōlōˈnyä, jämˌbōlōˈnyä [key], 1524–1608, Flemish sculptor, whose real name was Jean Bologne or Boulogne. Though born in Douai,…

Harry Potter Haiku

The Harry Potter Haiku Archive, Part III Wizardry poetry from our readers! On to the Haiku Archive, Parts I, II, IV, V, VI, VII, and other kinds of Harry poems! All About…

Science Discoveries, 1999

Information Please's roundup of recent discoveries by Otto Johnson It seems the latest discoveries in our annual roundup are either mutant size-busters or minor portents of disaster. From…

Orville Wright

Born: 1871Birthplace: Dayton, Ohio Flying machine—The Wright brothers achieved the first powered, sustained and controlled flight of a heavier than air machine at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1903…

Wilbur Wright

Born: 1867Birthplace: Millville, Ind. Flying machine—The Wright brothers achieved the first powered, sustained and controlled flight of a heavier than air machine at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in…

Paul Kollsman

Born: 1900 Altimeter. Prior to 1928, there was no reliable or accurate way for airplane pilots to know how far above the ground they were. The barometric altimeter, accurate within 20 feet,…

Eddie Rickenbacker

Born: Oct. 8, 1890Mechanic and auto racer became America's top flying ace (22 kills) in World War I; owned Indianapolis Speedway (1927-45) and ran Eastern Air Lines (1938-59).Died: July 23, 1973