Month: January 2022

Founding of the Fabian Society (1884)

The Fabian Society was formed in 1884 with the goal of establishing a democratic socialist state in Britain. The society’s name derived from Roman commander and statesman Fabius Maximus Cunctator, whose military tactics led to victory over stronger forces. Important early members of the Fabian Society included playwright George Bernard Shaw and sociologist Sidney Webb. In 1906, the group helped organize a separate party that became the Labour Party. Why is the Fabian Society’s symbol a tortoise? Discuss

Sir Isaac Pitman (1813)

Shorthand writing systems have existed since ancient times, but the one favored by court stenographers is relatively new, introduced by Pitman in 1837. In his phonetic shorthand method, words are written as they sound—”deal,” “may,” and “knife” are spelled “del,” “ma,” and “nif.” Adapted to more than 12 languages, it is one of the most used systems in the world. Phonetics became the family business—Pitman’s grandson invented the initial teaching alphabet. What is Stenographic Soundhand? Discuss

Thomas Paine's The Age of Reason

Social agitator Thomas Paine was an influential political writer whose support of revolution and republican government emboldened the American colonists to declare independence from England. However, his reputation was irreparably harmed by one of his later writings, The Age of Reason. Published in the 1790s, it criticizes organized religion and espouses Paine’s deist beliefs. Many people mistook it for an atheist tract and widely ostracized Paine thereafter. To whom was it dedicated? Discuss

prize

athlete – Derived from Greek athlon, “prize” or “contest”—which also gives us triathlon (etc.); it should be pronounced ATH-leet—with two syllables, not three. More…

cakewalk – Started out as a competitive dance whose winner got a cake as a prize. More…

premium – First meant “prize, reward.” More…

taking the cake – Once meant literally winning the prize of a cake, awarded in a cakewalk. More…

Deadly Incident at Experimental US Nuclear Power Reactor (1960)

The only fatal nuclear reactor incident in US history occurred at the US Army’s SL-1 experimental nuclear reactor. It was being restarted after an 11-day shutdown when a control rod was withdrawn too far, causing a “prompt critical” reaction. Water surrounding the core explosively vaporized and lifted the enormous reactor vessel more than 9 ft (2.7 m) off the ground. All three operators—one of whom was impaled and pinned to the ceiling—died. Why was the incident rumored to be a murder-suicide? Discuss

Marion Davies (1897)

Davies, an American actress, appeared in her first film in 1917 and acted in 29 more over the next 10 years. When she was 19, she caught the attention of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, who spent millions promoting her career. However, their social life at his palatial estate began to overshadow her career, which was further jeopardized by a scandal involving a film producer’s mysterious death on Hearst’s yacht. Why did Hearst and Davies, who lived as a couple for decades, never marry? Discuss