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Mars landing

The Polar Lander was the first attempt to land on Mars since the Mars Pathfinder mission of 1997. It was a 290-kilogram robotic spacecraft lander launched by NASA and it was to carry out a 90-day primary mission followed by an extended mission lasting until a terminal hardware failure.

Apple is registered in the Commercial Register

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak officially incorporate the Apple Computer Corporation. Wayne sold his share of the company back to Jobs and Wozniak for $800 and Mike Markkula Jr. becomes the first chairman of Apple after his investment. They also decided to move company outside of Steve Jobs parent’s garage and rent a building in Cupertino.

The first electric watch

Hamilton introduced the world's first electric watch, the Hamilton Electric 500. It was available in a variety of non-traditional asymmetrical case styles, including the Ventura that was designed by Richard Arbib. The watch was worn by Elvis Presley, who also featured in the movie Blue Hawaii.

The first artificial nuclear transmutation of elements

Ernest Rutherford had found out how to artificially induce a nuclear reaction in a stable element. He had discovered peculiar radiations when alphas were projected into the air and narrowed the effect down to the nitrogen, not the oxygen in the air. Nuclear reactions were Rutherford’s main focus for the rest of his scientific career.

The drinking straw is patented by Marvin C. Stone

A drinking straw is a tube for transferring a beverage from its container to the mouth of the drinker. Marvin Stone subsequently used paraffin-coated manila paper to improve durability and patented his design. He came upon the idea while drinking a mint julep on a hot day in Washington, D.C.

Anniversaries of the (in)famous