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Archive: November 2010 (4 Posts)

Silver stylized owl with radiant circles around its head, surrounded by a gold frame

Planes, Trains but not Automobiles

Posted by: Ellen Terrell

In the 1987 movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Steve Martin’s character is desperately trying to get home for Thanksgiving. While working at the Library of Congress, I have answered many questions which might have interested Steve Martin’s character, from how people traveled, to how much a trip cost, to how long a certain trip was …

Silver stylized owl with radiant circles around its head, surrounded by a gold frame

World War II ‘Scientific Manpower’

Posted by: Jennifer Harbster

K-rations, better night vision binoculars, and synthetic rubber are just a few examples of innovations resulted from scientific research during World War II.  The story of science during World War II is one of partnerships and prolific research. On June 28, 1941, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8807which established the Office of Scientific Research and …