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Posted by: Donna Scanlon
Alexander Graham Bell, a successful business man, scientist, innovator and engineer was born on this date in 1847. In 1876, at the age of 29, Alexander was awarded the first U.S. patent for the telephone (patent # 174,465). Soon afterward in 1877 he formed the Bell Telephone Company. With the financial success of the telephone, …
Posted in: Business, Heritage Months, Holidays, and Today in History, Inventions
Posted by: Jennifer Harbster
The Webcast for our lecture Galileo: 400 Years of the Telescope is now available to view from our Website: Galileo 400 Years of the Telescope Also see our post Stars in His Eyes for more information about Galileo and the publishing of 1610 Sidereus nunicus or Starry Messenger. Enjoy!!!
Posted in: Astronomy/Mathematics, Lunchtime Lectures and Videos
Posted by: Jennifer Harbster
What have scientists learned so far about Mars? Does life exist there? Will human beings someday colonize the Red Planet? NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Chief Scientist James B. Garvin will discuss the latest findings and the Mars exploration strategy, in a lecture at the Library of Congress. Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Library of Congress, …
Posted in: Aeronautics/Astronautics, Astronomy/Mathematics, Lunchtime Lectures and Videos
Posted by: Jennifer Harbster
This is the perfect time to write about winter sports with the excitement of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games fresh in our minds. A few years ago I did an exhibit of the Library’s winter sport and game books from 1800- 1950. The following are selected examples of notable works I used for the …
Posted in: Sports
Posted by: Donna Scanlon
Today, in 1913, the 16th Amendment to the Constitution was certified by the Secretary of State, Philander C. Knox, and was officially put into effect. Initially passed by Congress on July 2, 1909 it took until February 3, 1913 for it to be ratified by the required number of states (three-fourths or 36 of the …
Posted in: Business Reference Guides
Posted by: Donna Scanlon
The other day the science section head, Constance Carter, bought a John Adams doll at the White House Visitor Center for a gift basket (see pictures in this post). Since John Adams is the namesake of our building and the inspiration for Inside Adams we thought it would be fun to provide our readers with …
Posted in: Presidents, ST&B Division
Posted by: Donna Scanlon
Today’s guest author is Ellen Terrell, Business Reference Specialist Today is Fat Tuesday the culmination of the Mardi Gras season. This is a HUGE event for the city of New Orleans, my hometown. There are many ways to gauge success from a economic standpoint – revenues, hotel room occupancy, tax collection, money spent by the …
Posted in: Business, Heritage Months, Holidays, and Today in History, New Orleans
Posted by: Jennifer Harbster
4 Star French Chocolate Ice Cream? Chiffon and Velvet Pie?Pots de Chocolat (mousse)? Stuffed Figs au Chocolat? Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake? Valentine’s Day is coming up. If you are looking for something special to do for the ones you love I suggest including chocolate and home cooking straight from the heart (hearth). Our Chocolate: A Resource Guide …
Posted in: Business Reference Guides, Census and Statistics, Heritage Months, Holidays, and Today in History
Posted by: Jennifer Harbster
Today’s post is from guest author Margaret Clifton, science reference librarian. Four hundred years ago, in March of 1610, a pamphlet-like little book was published in Venice. The title page, as translated from New Latin*,sums up its contents with unabashed enthusiasm: “Revealing great, unusual, and remarkable spectacles, opening these to the consideration of every man, …
Posted in: Astronomy/Mathematics, Guest Blog Posts, Lunchtime Lectures and Videos