user locations: prof_improbable - technology
ibm watson laboratory
from computers, programming languages posted in technology by prof_improbable
In 1954, John Backus (and a team of developers) invented the Fortran programming language at the IBM Watson Laboratory on the Columbia University campus. Fortran was the first high level programming language, and it's still used in scientific and industrial applications today.
view full location details...planetary resources
from new space, space travel posted in technology by prof_improbable
Formerly known as Arkyd Astronautics, Planetary Resources is an asteroid mining company headed by Space Adventures CEO Eric Anderson and X PRIZE founder and chairman Dr. Peter Diamandis.
Planetary Resources has a roster of advisors and investors that any tech company would envy: filmmaker James Cameron, Google inventor Larry Page and CEO Eric Schmidt, and billionaire heir Ross Perot, Jr.
The mission statement of Planetary Resources?- "Harnessing valuable minerals from a practically infinite source will provide stability on Earth, increase humanity’s prosperity, and help establish and maintain human presence in space."
view full location details...davies auditorium, becton engineering and applied science center
from nikola tesla posted in technology by prof_improbable
On April 21, 1987, a bronze bust was dedicated in the entryway of the Davies Auditorium at the Becton Engineering and Applied Science Center at Yale University. It was the culmination of a fund-raising and letter-writing campaign by a third grade class in Anne Arbor, Michigan. The class's teacher, John Wagner, presented the sculpture to Yale.
In 1894, Nikola Tesla received an honorary degree from Yale along with several other 19th-century leaders.
serbian orthodox cathedral of st. sava
from nikola tesla posted in technology by prof_improbable
The second of two funeral services for Nikola Tesla was held at this location on January 13, 1943.
On Sunday, January 28, 2007, a bust of Nikola Tesla was unveiled at this location.
view full location details...auburn correctional facility
from thomas edison, nikola tesla posted in technology by prof_improbable
Constructed in 1816, Auburn Prison was the site of the first execution by electric chair.
In the War of the Currents, Thomas Edison (promoting DC power) and the team of George Westinghouse/Nikola Tesla (promoting AC power) were constantly trying to win support, projects, and public favor for their respective systems.
Edison was a crafty showman as well as an inventor, and he invented the grisly electric chair as a publicity stunt to promote fear in the public of AC power.
On May 9, 1860, the murderer William Kemmler became the first recipient of the new technology. Although it had been tested successfully on a horse at 1,000 volts, it did not work on Kemmler the first time. So they tried it again at 2,000 volts. The execution room filled with the smell of burnt flesh and singed hair. All total the execution took eight minutes.
In the end, AC power became the standard for electricity. The electric chair is still with us. In case you doubt his intentions, Edison was good enough to film his executions for commercial release.