David J. Kent's Blog, page 34
March 18, 2019
Nikola Tesla and the Flying Machines
Like da Vinci, Nikola Tesla had visions of creating flying machines. Since the Wright brothers had made the first practical, powered heavier-than-air flight in 1903, the development of airplane technology had proceeded rapidly. Fixed-wing aircraft, mainly biplanes, were widely used … Continue reading →
March 13, 2019
The Skull of Hammershus on Bornholm
Den Forhadte Borg. The Hated Castle. Hammershus is Scandinavia’s largest medieval fortress, situated on the northern tip of the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. And if that isn’t ominous enough, they have an eight foot skull embedded … Continue reading →
March 10, 2019
Lincoln Applies for a Patent
Abraham Lincoln is the only president ever to get a patent, for “an improved method of getting vessels over shoals.” He submitted his patent application on March 10, 1849. It was approved two months later. The story leading up to … Continue reading →
March 4, 2019
Rice and Coconuts Drive the Philippines
The Philippines consists of 7,641 islands, although about 500 of them disappear at high tide. While the nation has growing industrial and service industries, about 30% of the labor force remains in agriculture, with rice as its biggest commodity. I’ve … Continue reading →
February 27, 2019
Cooper Union – The Speech That Made Abraham Lincoln President
On February 27, 1860, a tall, lanky lawyer from Illinois gave a speech at a place called Cooper Union in New York City. The speech would make Abraham Lincoln president. Sounds a bit hyperbolic to say such a thing, and … Continue reading →
February 22, 2019
Willie Lincoln’s Tragic Death Leads to Advances in Embalming Sciences
William Wallace Lincoln, “Willie,” died of typhoid fever on February 20, 1862. President Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Lincoln were devastated. Willie’s younger brother Tad was also afflicted, but would live. This personal tragedy on top of the ongoing … Continue reading →
February 19, 2019
How to Make Coffee in Costa Rica
During a recent visit to Costa Rica I learned how to make coffee. From scratch, like from the beans. I toured the Doka Estate Coffee Plantation in Alajuela Province, northwest of San Jose, and even got to rake some of … Continue reading →
February 12, 2019
Annual Wreath Laying at the Lincoln Memorial for Lincoln’s Birthday
Today is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday! Born in 1809, this year would have been Lincoln’s 210th birthday. And as is customary, there is a wreath laying at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. I’ve been privileged to represent the Lincoln Group … Continue reading →
February 11, 2019
It’s Thomas Edison’s Birthday!
Although he was the last of seven children, Thomas Alva Edison was born into a largely empty household. February 11, 1847, was a cold, snowy night in the tiny village of Milan, Ohio, not far from the shores of Lake … Continue reading →
February 8, 2019
My Book Review in Civil War Times Magazine
Last year my book, Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America, was reviewed by Jonathan W. White in Civil War Times, the preeminent Civil War magazine. And now I’ve written a book review that is published in the most recent issue … Continue reading →
