First Movie Studio Completed
February 1, 1893
Thomas A. Edison finishes construction of the first motion picture studio, the Black Maria (officially known as the Kinetographic Theater) in West Orange, New Jersey. The name Black Maria came from a slang term for police wagons, also known as paddywagons, which were similarly cramped, uncomfortable, and dark.
SBC Buys AT&T; The Learner Becomes the Master
January 31, 2005
SBC announced that it would purchase AT&T Corp. for more than $16 billion. This completed (maybe) the long and sordid tale of the old AT&T company after their breakup in 1984. SBC, one of the original “baby bells”, renamed itself AT&T after the merger, confusing nearly everyone in the world as to which company was which anymore.
First Ape into Space
January 31, 1961
50 years ago today, Ham the Chimp travels into outer space aboard Mercury-Redstone 2. Ham (whom was named this only after he survived the flight) was the first ape to fly into space. Note that apes include chimpanzees, gorillas, and humans, but NOT monkeys.
The First American Satellite Launches Into Orbit
January 31, 1958
Explorer 1 is launched, which becomes the first American satellite to successfully make orbit.