Devereaux Online

October 26~ On this day in 1825 the 425-mile Erie Canal opened. News of the canal’s opening was transmitted to New York via canon; 81 canons were lined up within hearing distance of each other, one would fire as soon as it heard another firing. It was the fastest known communication of its day, taking 81 minutes to transmit the exciting news. Explore the Erie Canal @ your library. ~ Wyatt Earp and his brothers along with Doc Holiday meet the Clanton gang at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, on this day in 1881. Meet Wyatt @ your library.

October 25~ On this day in 2001, scientists announce that they have unearthed the remains of an ancient crocodile which lived 110 million years ago. The animal, found in Gadoufaoua, Niger, grew as long as 40 feet and weighed as much as eight metric tons. Meet the beast @ your library. ~ In 1929, Albert Fall became the first member of any president’s cabinet to be convicted of a crime during his term. Warren Harding ’s Secretary of the Interiorwas found guilty of bribery for his role in the Teapot Dome Scandal . ~ On this day in 1999, a Learjet flies uncontrolled for four hours before crashing in South Dakota. Golfer Payne Stewart and five others perish in the crash. Read all about it @ your library.

October 24~ In 1861 Western Union completed the first US transcontinental telegraph line.Out with the Pony Express in with telecommunications! ~ Alonzo D. Phillips received a patent for the phosphorous friction safety match in 1836. Got a hot idea? Learn how to get a patent @ your library.

October 24 - Surbeck Center dedicated, President Partlo presents the building to Governor Archie Gubbrud on behalf of the school's Endowment Association [Stymiest, Ruth Anne. "Centennial: An Illustrated History, 1885-1985". 1985, pg. 107]

October 23~ On this day in 1956, the first ever video recording on magnetic tape was televised coast-to-coast. Learn more about magnetic recorders and recording @ your library. ~ In 1958 an underground earthquake trapped 174 miners in the No. 2 colliery at Springhill , Nova Scotia, at the time, the deepest coal mine in North America. Rescue workers were able to save 100 lives. Dig into coal mines and mining @ your library.

As you may know, on October 28 Steven Squyres, Ph.D., will be awarded the 2010 Mines Medal. The Devereaux Library has available several works by and about Dr. Squyers. These items have been placed at the Circulation Desk for your convenience and are available for check-out. Roving Mars: Spirit, Opportunity, and the Exploration of the Red Planet [book] by Steve Squyres “Squyers artfully chronicles more than a decade of ups, downs, triumphs, dead ends, politics, and, at times, utter confusion in this dramatic tale of how Spirit and Opportunity beat the odds. Roving Mars is both a true adventure story and insider’s view of life at the frontiers of exploration.” – from the publisher. Roving Mars [DVD] with Paul Newman and Steven Squyres “Experience it all as you join the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity for an awe inspiring journey to the surface of the mysterious red planet. Through the eyes of the two intrepid, state–of-the-art rovers, and with NASA scientists and engineers at yo...

October 22~ In 1797 the first high altitude parachute jump was made by André-Jacques Garnerin, jumping from a hydrogen balloon above Paris. Interested in parachuting ? Check it out @ your library. ~ The first two International Sun-Earth Explorers were launched into Earth orbit on this day in 1977. Lots more about space exploration @ your library.