Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Web Secret #292: 1924

Today is my mother's 90th birthday.

She was born January 8, 1924.

She is in no way your typical nonagerian.

She speaks 4 languages and can read and write in 3 of them. She runs a foundation. She has written two books. She escaped from Europe during World War II and has lived in 4 different countries. She was discovered by Hollywood but refused the offer. She follows tennis and loves Rafa Nadal. She is computer literate.

She is, in short, amazing and a hard act to follow.

She was born into a world that is far different from 2014, but there were intimations of things to come.

In 1924:

The IBM corporation was founded.

Frozen food was invented by Clarence Birdseye.

John Logie Baird sent rudimentary television pictures over a short distance.

Richard H. Ranger invented the wireless photoradiogram, or transoceanic radio facsimile

Russell Maughan flew from New York to San Francisco in 21 hours and 48 minutes.

Astronomer Edwin Hubble announced that Andromeda is actually another galaxy, and that the Milky Way is only one of many such galaxies in the universe.

The Ford Motor Co. manufactured its 10 millionth Model T automobile.

Dr. Gladys Dick co-developed a vaccine for scarlet fever with her husband, George F. Dick.

Mami, I love and admire you.

Happy Birthday!

PS: the photograph shows my mother and a gorgeous Delahaye automobile winning the top prize at the 1948 Paris Concours d'Élégance.

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