A Brief History On September 18, 2018, apropos to nothing in particular, we take the opportunity to once again discuss the disgusting English language!  Previously, we started the discussion on our article dated September 29, 1975, “What is Up With The English Language?” and today we add to the discussion by addressing some troubling particular uses and misuses of words and phrases.  As always, please tell us what you disagree with in this article or better yet, your own pet peeves about the use and alleged misuse of English!  (BTW, we are well aware of the liberties this author sometimes…

A Brief History On September 17, 1683, Dutch scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek presented a paper to the Royal Society (The President, Council and Fellows of the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge) containing a description of the first scientific recognition of microbes/protozoa, a living thing he referred to as “animalcules” (single celled organisms).  Although van Leeuwenhoek had designed his microscope himself and is known as “The Father of Microbiology,” he was definitely not the inventor of the microscope.  In fact, exactly who is the inventor of this highly important contribution to science is not agreed upon by historians.…

A Brief History On June 30, 2016, the World Health Organization listed Cannabidiolum in a list of International Nonproprietary Names for Pharmaceutical Substances (INN).  CBD oil was first discovered back in 1940, but the first product containing this cannabis extract was only sold openly in the UK within the last year. Having existed solely on the odd dusty shelf of hippie shops, recent media coverage of the potential health benefits of CBD oil have sent the nation into a buying frenzy, and normalised something which had been seen as slightly risqué, or even grubby, for many years.  Digging Deeper What is…

A Brief History On February 13, 2009, the Internet Safety Act was introduced to the United States House of Representatives by Representative Lamar Smith, a Republican from Texas, and the United States Senate by Senator John Cornyn, also a Republican from Texas.  Neither bill was passed by Congress. Whether it be on the internet or elsewhere, if there is one thing that takes priority over all else in life, it is your family’s safety. These days, it is even more difficult to make sure that your family is safe at all times, mostly because of the rise of the internet and…

A Brief History On August 1, 1949, T.J. Slowie, a secretary of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), sent a letter to Leroy E. “Ed” Parsons, requesting he “furnish the Commission full information with respect to the nature of the system you may have developed and may be operating.” Earlier, Parsons had built the first cable television system in the United States that used coaxial cable, amplifiers, and a community antenna to deliver television signals to an area that otherwise would not have been able to receive broadcast television signals.  The letter sent to him represents the first known involvement of…