Category: Coffee Break

On this day in history: In 1890, the Oklahoma Territory was organized. In 1902, “A Trip to the Moon,” the first science fiction film was released. It was created by magician George Melies. You can find this movie reduced and “barcoded” on the Blackwing 1138 pencil (one of the best pencils ever!). And in 1974…

On this day in history: In 1684, a patent was granted for the thimble. In 1859, ground was broken to begin the Suez Canal in Egypt. In 1901, New York became the first state to require license plates for cars. The fee was $1. And in 1928, a seeing eye dog was used for the…

On this day in history: In 1775, American revolutionaries Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott rode though the towns of Massachusetts giving the warning that the Regulars were coming out. Later, the phrase “the British are coming” was attributed to Revere even though it is unlikely he used that wording. In 1906, San Francisco,…

On this day in history: In 1876, the stenotype was patented by John C. Zachos. In 1901, construction on the Empire State Building was completed. The building was dedicated and opened on May 1, 1931. And in 1970, Apollo 13 blasted off on a mission to the moon that was disrupted when an explosion crippled…

On this day in history: In 1818, a plan was passed by the U.S. Congress that the U.S. flag would have 13 red and white stripes and 20 stars and that a new star would be added for the each new state. In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is fatally shot while standing on…

On this day in history: In 1797, Nathaniel Briggs patented a washing machine. In 1865, outdoor advertising legislation was enacted in New York. The law banned “painting on stones, rocks and trees.” And in 1979, a major accident occurred at Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island nuclear power plant. A nuclear power reactor overheated and suffered a…