David J. Kent's Blog, page 54
May 9, 2016
Walking Up Waterfalls in Jamaica
You read that right – walking UP waterfalls. Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica, to be exact, and the experience is magical. Jamaica is the land of Bob Marley, reggae, and all-inclusive resorts hugging the coast. The adventure began in one … Continue reading
May 6, 2016
Thomas Edison – Birth of an Inventor
Thomas Edison is well known as one of America’s greatest inventors. But how did he get his start? My new book, Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World (July 2016 release date), takes a look at how Edison fell into … Continue reading
May 2, 2016
Abraham Lincoln Close Up
Like all Presidents, Abraham Lincoln seemed to age decades during his four years in office. On my recent trip to Springfield, Illinois I got to see this close up. As you might expect, there are several statues of Lincoln around … Continue reading
April 22, 2016
In Honor of Earth Day – Earth: The Operators’ Manual by Richard B. Alley
For Earth Day – Earth: The Operators’ Manual by Richard B. Alley (A Book Review) Richard Alley is a climate scientist. While many may not have heard of him before, some will have seen him give a demonstration of the … Continue reading
April 20, 2016
Jefferson, Lincoln, CPRC, and the Science Among Us
It’s been a busy five days of science traveling – Lincoln, Jefferson, CPRC, More Lincoln. Thursday night started off with the Bull Run Civil War Round Table, with John Quarstein speaking about the Battle of Mobile Bay. Featuring two great … Continue reading
April 18, 2016
Science in Charlottesville
In the final years of his long productive life, Thomas Jefferson established what is now the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He wanted a place where students could get a science education. Today the Chesapeake and Potomac Chapter of SETAC … Continue reading
April 15, 2016
Extra!! President Abraham Lincoln is Dead
Our Dear President is Dead Assassinated by Cowardly Actor Watching a Play at Ford’s Theatre Secretary Seward Attacked – Injuries Feared Fatal Washington in Mourning Washington City, April 15, 1865: President Abraham Lincoln is dead. He was shot last night … Continue reading
April 11, 2016
Chasing the Papers of Abraham Lincoln
The Papers of Abraham Lincoln “is a long-term project dedicated to identifying, imaging, and publishing all documents written by or to Abraham Lincoln during his lifetime (1809-1865).” The Papers is physically located in Springfield, Illinois, and is a project of … Continue reading
April 6, 2016
Raphael and The School of Athens
Today (April 6)* is the birthday of Raffaelo Sanzio da Urbino, or as we better know him, the painter Raphael. A contemporary of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael sometimes gets lost in their long shadows of memory. His art … Continue reading
April 4, 2016
Update on Tesla and Edison
Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison had a friendly rivalry. Okay, not always so friendly. Having written books on both inventors, I can say that while they had a lot in common (including the tendency to work all night long), they … Continue reading
