Artificial Scenery for Subways to relieve the boredom of commuting, 1909
Image: SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, VOL. CI, NO. 18; OCTOBER 30, 1909
OCTOBER 1959
FOUNDER OF KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS— “Identical-twin grafts have demonstrated that where an immunological barrier does not exist kidneys can be successfully transplanted to cure otherwise incurable kid-ney and vascular disease. We transplanted a kidney from a healthy man to his critically uremic brother. Though the men were probably not identical twins, we hoped that their relationship might make for some immunologic compatibility. The recipient was given a total dose of X-rays large enough to depress his reticuloendothelial tissues severely. As the patient’s reticuloendothelial system recovers from the radiation, it may be forced to become familiarized with the antigens and the transplanted kidney. It is as yet too early to evaluate the results of this transplant, but initially it appears to be successful. —John P. Merrill”
OCTOBER 1909
ELECTROCULTURE— “The rapid growth of plants in the polar regions has hitherto been attributed to the continuous daylight of two or three months in summer, but this explanation must be abandoned. Prof. Lemstroem, of the University of Helsingfors, Finland, finds several reasons for believing that the cause of rapid growth in the Arctic is to be found in the electrical currents which flow between the earth and the atmosphere, and produce the phenomena of the aurora borealis. The pointed leaves of conifers and the barbs of ears of grain facilitate the transmission of these currents through those plants, and this function supplies a reason for the existence of these peculiarities.”
SUBWAY ENTERTAINMENT— “Moving pictures are produced, as is well known, by a film traveling with intermittent motion before a projector or lantern which throws successive views on the screen. The same results could be obtained if the pictures were stationary and the audience itself were in motion, so as to view the pictures successively. An ingenious inventor has hit upon this scheme to relieve the monotony of subway travel. He proposes to mount a continuous band of pictures at each side of the subway, and have these pictures successively illuminated, by means of lamps placed behind them. The accompanying illustration indicates the method of accomplishing this result.”
The “Masstransiscope,” installed in the New York City subways in September 1980, uses this zoetropic effect. Videos are available here and here.
OCTOBER 1859
FRANKLIN’S REMAINS— “The expedition fitted out two years ago, to search for Sir John Franklin in the Arctic regions, has returned with full and correct tidings of the sad fate of Franklin and his companions. Captain Robert McClintock found the record and remains of Franklin at Point Victory; and it seems that he died in June, 1847—about 11 years ago. The whole of his companions also perished in those inhospitable and desolate regions. We hope the last expedition to these dread solitudes of ice and snow has been made. A north-west passage was discovered by Captain McClure; but of what value is it? For the purposes of navigation, it is perfectly impracticable; and the conclusion is, that the life and treasure which have been expended in Arctic expeditions have been wasted.”
POWER OF THE PRESS— “From ancient history we learn that several nations—Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks and Romans—accomplished, at successive periods, great works and became great powers. They exhibited much intellectual and physical activity during their dominance, and then they became sluggish and finally degraded—by reposing on their laurels, they soon sunk into senility. We think no fears of such a result need be entertained in the present age of progress. The printing-press will prevent this; it is the mighty agent which keeps the public mind in fermentation and prevents it from stagnating.”
See what we're tweeting about
3 Comments
Add CommentIt is not that Men and Women won't continue to make vast learning pools. especeally with e-mail. Can You Imagine what Christ, Mohumed, Ben Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Adolf Hitler, Winston Chuchill, F.D.R and the Hundreds of other Prophets that verse was lost are because someone considerd them stupid.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI apoligise using Adolph Hitler in the same paragraph with People whom bettered the World unlike Hitler whom convinced a Mobs of Angry People that evently Consitituted the German Republic that was responsable for at least Twelve Million innocent civilians because of thier Religon are Beleifs, Six Million Happened to be of the Jewish Persausion ( whom I hope God Forgives the German People whom knew what the Ovens where doing and for not stepping forward as a Civilized race and say "No More", "No more Jews Gypseys, Catholics,Any one Whom attemptted to say "Stop". The German Population should have "stood up in mass against this, Austrian, Born Satan Worshiper" And said No Your street thugs will Die before We allow You to take and over throw President Hidenberg"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI am sorry for Typing in Satans Name (Hitler)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this