Robert Recorde was born in Tenby, Wales circa 1512 to Thomas and Rose. Around 1525, he entered the University of Oxford, later he went to the University of Cambridge graduating with a M.D. in 1545. He taught mathematics for a short time at Oxford. Later he acted as the physician to King Edward VI and to Queen Mary.He also served as the Comptroller of Mines and Monies in Ireland. A political enemy sued him for defamation, he was arrested for debt and died in the King’s Bench Prison in Southward in 1558.What you may not know about Robert is that he invented the equals sign (=) and also introduced the pre-existing plus sign (+) to English speaker in 1557. Now you know where those mathematics signs came from. Until tomorrow go forth and smile with your new-found knowledge, it will make peop... 06/03/2018

Charles Emile was born in Montreuil, France back in 1844 to Benoit and Marie. He was home schooled by his mother. At a young age, he was taught to draw and paint. At 13 he built a small steam engine. In 1858, he worked at a company in Paris repairing and assembling optical and physics instruments.In 1862, he went out on his own as a photographer. By 1873, he was giving scientific screening-lectures to students. He developed a prototype for a device out of a cookie box, applying for a patent in 1876. By 1910, his creations were outdated, he lost most of his belongings. Dejected and penniless he threw most of his irreplaceable works into the Seine River, lost forever. What you may not know about Charles Emile Reynaud is that he was the inventor of the praxinoscope (an animation device) th... 06/02/2018

John Randel, Jr. was born in Albany, New York back in 1787 to John, Sr. and Catherine. He only received a primary education, but what he accomplished is nothing short of amazing. Historians speculate his education ended by the time he was 12, some disagree and say it was when he was 16.He was a very religious man not doing anything on Sunday’s. He apprenticed with Simeon De Witt for a few years before going on his own. Now many of you may be wondering what was his profession? Well I’m so glad you asked for that is the rest of the story.John Randel, Jr. was a surveyor he was commissioned to survey, develop a plan for the future layout of streets in what is now Manhattan Island, his commission was started when he was only 20 years old. He started in 1808 and finished in 1820. What you may... 05/30/2018

Cyril Pullin was born in Wandsworth, England back in 1892. Sorry, but I don’t have any information about him until around 1914 when he won the Isle of Man motorcycle race at a blinding speed of around 49.49 MPH. In 1922, he established a new record becoming the first ever British motorcyclist to be times at over 100 MPH with a 3-horsepower engine. Also in the 1920, he developed various helicopter engines. In 1928, he took over the Phoenix factory to produce the Ascot-Pullin Motorcycles. If you can find one in mint condition or even close you could retire. Anyway, in 1932 he joined G&J Weir aircraft department, as the chief designer they developed the W5 helicopter. It was flown by his son Raymond, making it the first successful British helicopter to flyWhat you may not know about Cyril ... 05/27/2018

William Judd was born in New London, Connecticut back in 1833 however, historians are not positive of his birthplace or year. He enlisted in the Union Army in 1861 where he was commissioned a first lieutenant. When the Civil War was over he had advanced to the rank of lieutenant colonel.After the war was over he decided to remain in Army where he was assigned as a captain, assigned to Fort Phil Kearny in the Wyoming Territory. The troops had to gather wood a distance away, so they had a wood train. In 1866 the wood train was attacked by a band of Cheyenne and Sioux. He took command of a reaction force, pursued the band of Indians beyond the Lodge Trail Ridge where he was confronted by approximately 2,00 Indians whipping out his command. What you may not know about William Judd Fetterman... 05/22/2018

A WOMAN was flying from  Melbourne to Brisbane .. Unexpectedly, the plane was diverted to Sydney Along the way. The flight attendant explained that There would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft the plane would re-board In 50 minutes.     Everybody got off the plane except one lady who was blind. The man had noticed her as he walked by and could tell the lady was blind because her Seeing Eye Dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of her throughout the entire flight.    He could also tell she had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached her, and calling her by name, said, "Kathy, we are in  Sydney for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?"   The blind lady replied, "No thanks, but maybe Max would Like to s... 05/17/2018

  So close to the Bentonville Community Center! Everything on your wish list! True 4 Bedroom, with office and 2nd living space . Bentonville schools .Convenient location in Oxford Ridge! This beautiful home is the perfect mix of location and luxury. Get the lifestyle that you have been looking for with community amenities - pool and play ground. This home features one level living with a flexible open floor plan and a 3 car garage including a storm shelter. The kitchen has tons of storage and prep space. Enjoy the convenience of being minutes to the Bentonville Community center and the Downtown Square.See Video of this Beautiful Home  04/30/2018

Jerry Parr was born in Montgomery, Alabama back in 1930.he received his B.A. in English and Philosophy from Vanderbilt in 1962 and in 1987 his M.S. in pastoral counseling from Loyola. In 1939, while watching Code of the Secret Service he knew one day he would join the ranks of that great agency so many have tried to get into and failed. He was working as a lineman for Florida Power and Light in 1962 when he was interviewed by a recruiter. At 32 he was the oldest rookie in his class. For 23 years in 15 foreign and 65 domestic protective surveys for various Presidents and Vice Presidents in all 50 States and 37 countries he was a devoted agent. Working security, intelligence in 1982, he became Assistant Director of Protective Research. He retired in 1985 and died in 2015 at 85.What you ma... 04/30/2018

Gardiner Greene was born in Boston, Massachusetts back in 1822 to Samuel and Mary. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover. He went on to Dartmouth graduating in 1841, then he was off to Harvard studying law. In 1843, he was admitted to the bar. While working for the Benjamin Robbins Curtis law firm in Boston he founded the Cambridge Gas Company. When Curtis retired he moved to Washington, D.C. where he continued to practice for 5 more years. In 1876, then President Grant appointed him to determine the proper rates for railway mail. What you may not know about Gardiner Greene Hubbard is that he founded and was first president of the National Geographic Society, the founder and first president of Bell Telephone Company and a founder of the journal Science. He died in New York City in 189... 04/22/2018

Emanuel Goldenberg was born in Bucharest, Romania back in 1893 to Morris and Sarah. The family moved to the United States in 1903 settling in New York City. He attended Townsend Harris High School, then to further his education he attended City College of New York. His ambition was to be a criminal attorney.He served in the United States Navy during WWI however, he was never sent overseas. After the war, he changed his career from wanting to be an attorney to show business. When WWII started he volunteered for military but was turned down to do his age of 48. Instead they sent him to London where he delivered radio addresses in over six languages. He died in 1973 at Mount Sinai Hospital of bladder cancer. What you may not know about Emanuel Goldenberg is that he changed his name when he... 04/16/2018

William Brownie was born in Scotland back in 1869. While I have no information about his parents, schooling and so forth. What I can tell you of course is the rest of the story. I guess you could call him an inventor or a man with a vision. One thing for sure is he was busy for his day so shall we get started.By 1904 he was a Master Joiner when he opened up his own business in Kilsyth, Scotland which made him a wealthy man, more on that shortly. In 1955, he invented the “infinitely variable gear box”, it was a method that used the engine of a vehicle to stop the forward motion of it, without the use of brakes. He also invented the skid proof vehicle which according to all reports worked very well however his interest waned and he moved on to other pursuits. In 1929, he invented the Tota... 04/01/2018

Harvey Fletcher was born in Provo, Utah back in 1884. He graduated from Brigham Young High School in 1904. It took him only 3 years to earn his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University graduating in 1907. In 1911, he was the first student to ever earn a Ph.D. summa cum laude at the University of Chicago.He started out working as the head of the physics department at Brigham young University from 1911 to 1916. He then worked at Western Electric until 1933 when he joined Bell Telephone Laboratories as a researcher from 1933-1949. He moved to Columbia University as a professor of electrical engineering from 1949-1952. In 1952, he returned to BYU as the first dean of the Physics and Engineering Sciences until 1958. He died in 1981 at 96.What you may not know about Harvey he was the i... 03/31/2018

This one is going to be short however, it is fully loaded and I’m ready to go, hang on tight. Elsie Eaves was born in Idaho Springs, Colorado back in 1898. She graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1920 earning her degree in civil engineering. Retiring in 1963, she died in 1983 in Roslyn, New York, she as 84.Nothing extraordinary, right? Well Pilgrim you’re wrong so here we go. She was the first woman elected Associate Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the first elected Member of the American Association of Cost Engineers, the first woman elected as Chapter Honor Member of the Chi Epsilon Fraternity, first woman to receive the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award, first woman to receive the Honorary Life Membership Award from the International Execu... 03/21/2018

John Dunn was born circa 1764 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. He started out as a cabinet maker, a plumb maker and tuner. However, what he did for the rest of his life will forever put him in the history books. I don’t have a lot more to tell you about his history, so let’s get to the rest of the story, shall we.John Dunn also made bagpipes particularly Northumbrian smallpipes (yes, I spelled it right). Anyway, not only was he a bagpipe maker he also developed the chanter which is still in use to this day, the chanter he made gave the pipes more depth. Don’t know about you but I love to listen to them. My favorite is Scotland the Brave. He died in 1820. Until tomorrow keep that smile on your face, got to run and listen to them, TTFN 03/20/2018

Seymour Bernard was born in New York City, New York back in 1913 to Joseph and Rose. His father was a tailor a real estate developer and manager. In 1931, he graduated from the University of Southern California majoring in accounting. After graduation, he went to work with his father in real estate.   His philosophy was one should never buy anything one cannot walk to.While on a trip to Paris, France he bought a book which resulted in a private collection known as The Old York Library. His collection is now housed at City University of New York. He believed the government should not interfere in real estate transactions, we see where that one went. Anyway, moving on his other passion was the national debt. He was so consumed by it he did something in 1989 that is still in use to this da... 03/13/2018

Charles Augustus was born in Concord, New Hampshire back in 1859. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1881. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps where he organized and commanded the 5th Marine Regiment in WWI. In 1917, he was placed in as Commanding General 2nd Division where he was the first Marine to command a US Army Division.He returned to the United States in 1918 where he died of influenza on October 6th, 1918 at Quantico, Virginia. What you may not know about Charles Augustus Doyen is that he was the first recipient of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. Two ships have been named the USS Doyen for him. Until tomorrow keep that smile on your face, have a great day 03/10/2018

Mathieu da Costa was born in Lusofonia, UK. (date unknown). What I can tell you is that in 1607 he was in Amsterdam, Holland. In 1608, he was in Port Royal where he left to make a voyage to Acadia and the St. Lawrence area. He returned to Port Royal in 1617.He was instrumental in developing relations for the Native Canadians in the many adventures. He had an understanding of Dutch, English, French, Portuguese, Mi’kaq and pidgin Basque.His translation and communication skills helped him to provide a cultural gap between the early French explorers and the Native Canadians. In 1017, a domestic rate postage stamp honoring him was issued by Canada Post.He died in 1619, in Quebec, City, Quebec. What you may not know about Mr. da Costa is that he was the first recorded free black person in Can... 03/08/2018

Martha Hughes was born in Llandudno, Clwyd, Wales in 1857 to Peter and Elizabeth. In 1860, the family moved to the United States settling in Salt Lake Valley in 1861. When she was 14 she taught school for a year but quit finding it hard to control the larger male students. With the encouragement of her mother she continued her education.If I wrote about all she did this would be one of those week-long blogs, so I’ll just hit the highpoints. At 16 she enrolled in the University of Deseret now called the University of Utah. She went on to attend the University of Michigan where she received her MD. She left the States going to Europe so she wouldn’t have to testify against her husband during the anti-polygamy crusade. What you may not know about Martha Hughes Cannon became the first femal... 03/03/2018

James Chalmers was born in Scotland back in 1782. In 1809, he moved to Dundee where he established himself as a newspaper publisher, bookseller and printer. He was a strong advocate fighting for the repeal of taxes on newspapers and newspapers advertisements. However, his calling was that of postal reform.In 1825, he positioned Robert Wallace to speed up the mail, convincing them to save nearly a day in the delivery of the mail. During the rest of his life he continued to advance his cause. What you may not know about James is that he is credited for being the first person to invent the adhesive postage stamp in 1838.  I know this one is shorter than my usual blogs, hope you enjoy. Until tomorrow keep a smile on your face and a penny in your pocket 03/02/2018

A lot of you should get this one way before I tell you the rest of the story. Charles Weedon was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan back in 1934. That’s about all I have until 1954 when he was drafted into the Army. When he was discharged he moved to Battle Creek, Michigan and worked as a carpet salesman.Okay, this one is going to be short so let’s get to it. What Charles Weedon Westover really wanted to do was to sing. He played in a band called Big Little Show Band with the stage name of Charlie Johnson. Things really changed in 1960, when Harry Balk suggested another stage name. he also convinced Charles to rewrite a song he had already recorded but with a different lead instrument. Some of my younger readers won’t recognize the stage name Del Shannon however if you listen to music surly... 02/20/2018