Birthdays

 Birthdays
May 142024
 

Eoin Colfer (born Wexford, Ireland, 1965) writes books for children. His books include the Artemis Fowl series and The Legend of Spud Murphy. Children could visit his website at: Eoin Colfer.

Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (born Danzig, Germany, 1686; died Amsterdam, Holland, September 16, 1736) was a scientist. The Fahrenheit temperature scale is named in honor of him. He was the first person to use mercury in thermometers. Today we do not use mercury in thermometers.

The Blue Boy

Thomas Gainsborough (born Sudbury, Suffolk, England, 1727; died London, England, August 2, 1788) was an artist specializing in portraits and landscapes. One of his most famous works is The Blue Boy. Children could view some of his works at: Gainsborough.

George Selden (born Hartford, Connecticut, 1929; died New York, New York, December 5, 1989) wrote at least 16 books for children. Perhaps his most well-known work is The Cricket in Times Square, which received a 1961 Newbery Honor Award. Children could learn more at: George Selden.

George B. Selden Patented a New Automobile Engine in 1895

 Events
Nov 052024
 
selden car

Selden’s Patent Design

George B. Selden patented the first gasoline-powered automobile in 1895. Now you might think that this is rather a boring event, but you would be wrong. Selden patented this engine after seeing a slightly different one at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. He and some partners tried to gain a monopoly over the automobile industry. However, Henry Ford and others won a lawsuit that had lasted over eight years. Ford’s reasonably priced cars won over the market, and Selden lost his monopoly. Children can see Selden’s patent at: Automobile.