Browsing: May

A Brief History On May 27, 1958, the McDonnell Aircraft (later McDonnell Douglas) F-4 Phantom II naval interceptor made its first flight.  Designed as a carrier airplane to defend the fleet against Soviet supersonic bombers, the concept was to create an interceptor that could climb rapidly and fly fast enough to catch bombers before they got close enough to attack the fleet. Digging Deeper Prior to entering service in 1960, the F-4 proved its concept by setting 15 aviation records for such things as speed and altitude.  Designed to shoot down bombers rather than dogfight with fighters, the F-4 was…

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A Brief History On May 26, 1923, the first 24 Hours of Le Mans automobile race was held. It remains today as one of the greatest auto races and is the oldest endurance race for cars.  Here we list 10 of the all time Greatest Races, with no limit as to the category. Digging Deeper 10. F1 Powerboat World Championship, 1981. A 155 mph boat that weighs only 860 pounds powered by a 400 horsepower engine, loud and exciting!  The races last about 45 minutes and are run through a course incorporating several turns marked by buoys.  This contest is…

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A Brief History On May 26, 1977, daredevil George Willig, a toymaker from Queens, climbed the South (#2) tower of the World Trade Center.  Willig climbed the 110 story skyscraper (the 3rd tallest building in the world at the time) using specialized clamps designed to use built in brackets in the windows. Digging Deeper Not only did Willig face the possibility of a traumatic landing if he fell from as high as 1300 feet, he was slammed with a $1.10 fine when he was arrested afterwards.  (Not a typo, just a dollar ten.)  As stupid as this stunt seems to…

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A Brief History On May 26, 1897, Bram Stoker’s horror novel, Dracula, was published.  Before and since, horror stories have terrified us, whether at the movies, around a campfire, or under our bedroom covers reading a spooky book with a flashlight.  Here we list 10 of the greatest horror stories of all time.  (It was not easy to omit classics like the Saw movies and the Hannibal Lecter  stories, but that is what sequels are for.) Digging Deeper 10. The Human Centipede,  2009. A Dutch film by Tom Six inspired by the horrors of Dr. Mengele and his Nazi cohorts…

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A Brief History On May 26, 1328, William of Ockham, a Franciscan Friar, snuck out of Avignon fearing his execution would be ordered by the Pope.  Known as “Doctor Invincibilis” (Unconquerable Teacher) at the University of Oxford, William had upset the Pope and other high church officials by preaching the Franciscan belief that since Jesus and the Apostles did not own personal property, Catholic clergymen should likewise not possess any worldly goods. Digging Deeper Not surprisingly, this situation was contrary to the reality of the day when Popes and Cardinals amassed great wealth.  William and other Franciscans sought asylum at…

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