The first birthday today is a name that is instantly recognizable, but for exactly the wrong reason. Dr Guillotin did not invent the guillotine, it had been known for several hundred years. His breakthrough was the idea that those that the state would put to death should be dispatched with as little suffering as possible, a boon granted only the highest ranking nobility up to that time. I find no indication that he was responsible for the frequent use of the device - which was called "la machine" until King Louis XVI was beheaded, then the "louison" for a while.
Ian Fleming was, apparently, not a killer either, although he created one of the most durable killers ever in James Bond. Fleming was in the British Navy and actually did some underwater demolition work, although not nearly as much as his fictional martini drinker. He also created a magical car, the subject of a book and film called Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
This also marks the first time an animal went into space and came back, although both the US and Soviet space programs had sent animals up before. And Azerbaijan, incidentally the setting for the most recent James Bond flick, celebrates their independence.
Thanks to all for the cards and greetings on my birthday yesterday, I had a fine time.
1156 - William of Sicily defeats Byzantine Emperor Manuel I's troops and destroys his fleet at Brindisi.
1959 - Able, an American-born rhesus monkey, and Baker, a South American squirrel monkey, were lofted 300 miles above sea level over a distance of 1500 miles by a US Army Jupiter rocket fired from Cape Canaveral, Florida. They reached speeds over 10,000 mph, experienced 38 G forces, and were weightless for nine minutes. They were the first animals to survive a trip into space, although Able died three days later from anesthesia in surgery to remove electrodes used in the flight.
Day of the Republic, Azerbaijan - After centuries of constantly changing occupation by Turkey, Russia, and Iran, the Republic of Azerbaijan was formed on this day in 1918, World War I had ended and they made the most of it. Despite recognition by many countries, including the US (Woodrow Wilson was impressed by the delegation he received), the Soviet Union took over two years later. Since achieving independence again in 1991 the day is publicly observed again.
1738 - Dr Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, French physician, politician - Born in Saitnes, France. Elected to the French National Assembly, Guillotin argued that the executions of those guilty of capital crimes should be humane, i.e. rapid and without torture, even for commoners. The assembly adopted his proposal on 12 October 1789, and a device was constructed (and rather much used) to perform the executions. Guillotin did not invent the device, nor was it called by his name until after 1800. Died from a carbuncle in his shoulder on 26 March 1814.
1908 - Ian Lancaster Fleming, Scottish author - Born in London, brief stint at Eton before being forced out, traveled several years, reporter for Reuters 1930 - 1934 (mostly in Moscow), stockbroker 1935 - 1939. Joined British Navy 1939, assigned to Intelligence he planned ops that were not used by the Allies so he used them in his books. Foreign manager of Kemsley News Agency 1945 - 1959 when it was bought by Thompson. While working for Kemsley in Jamaica wrote the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, followed it with 13 more. Wrote magazine articles under name Atticus, wrote non-Bond novel The Diamond Smugglers, travel book Thrilling Cities, and children's book Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Heavy drinking and smoking, along with legal issues involving co-author of Bond screenplays, led to heart problems. He died following a heart attack at the Royal St. George's Sandwich golf course in Kent on 12 August 1964.
It is harder to kill a phantom than a reality.
- Virginia Woolf
Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills them.
- Dion Boucicalt
The creative person, the person who moves from an irrational source of
power, has to face the fact that this power antagonizes. Under all the
superficial praise of the "creative" is the desire to kill.
- May Sarton
Never hold discussions with the monkey when the organ grinder is in the
room.
- Winston Churchill
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