March 28, 2008

80 years ago
1928

Died on this date
Nathan Stubblefield, 67. U.S. inventor. Sometimes erroneously referred to as the "Father of Radio," Mr. Stubblefield, a Kentucky melon farmer, pioneered wireless telephony. His devices seem to have worked by audio frequency (later audio frequency earth) induction (creating disturbances in the near-field region), rather than by radio frequency radiation. On January 1, 1902, in Murray, Kentucky, Mr. Stubblefield gave public demonstrations of voice and music transmission to five receiving locations on the courthouse square, witnessed by at least 1,000 persons, apparently using voice frequency transmission through earth conduction, to a radius of one-half mile. Similar successful demonstrations were given at Washington, D.C. on March 20, 1902 and Philadelphia on May 30, 1902. He gradually improved the technology, and on May 12, 1908 was granted U.S. patent 887,357 for his Wireless Telephone, using the voice frequency induction system. He said in the patent that it would be useful for "securing telephonic communications between moving vehicles and way stations". Mr. Stubblefield was distrustful of others who attempted to profit from his invention; he had resigned from the Wireless Telephone Company of America in June 1902 because he regarded his partners' stock promotion methods as fraudulent (which, in fact, they were). He lived as a hermit in a shack for the last 15 years of his life, and died of starvation.

Law
The Albanian parliament adopted a new civil code that included clauses abolishing polygamy, establishing civil marriage, and legally recognizing marriages between Muslims and Christians.

60 years ago
1948

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes on MBS, starring John Stanley and Alfred Shirley
Tonight's episode: The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

50 years ago
1958

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Magic Moments--Perry Como (5th week at #1)

On television tonight
Harbor Command, starring Wendell Corey
Tonight's episode: Right to Die

40 years ago
1968

On television tonight
Dragnet 1968, starring Jack Webb and Harry Morgan, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Big Problem

Disasters
60 were reported drowned when a boat capsized near Chapra, India.

Skiing
Rossland, British Columbia hosted the du Maurier International, the first World Cup event ever held in Canada. Hometown heroine Nancy Greene fell in the second run of the slalom (Marielle Goitschel of France won the event), but thrilled the 10,000 spectators when she won the giant slalom, finishing 1.56 seconds ahead of runner-up Florence Steurer of France. Miss Greene clinched the World Cup Giant Slalom title, and put her in position to win the overall championship. France’s Jean-Claude Killy clinched the men’s World Cup title by winning the slalom. Go to www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/ story.html?id=7903416a-62d7-4c07-a0f1-485e32ee79d7 to see John Korobanik’s article.

30 years ago
1978

Diplomacy
U.S. President Jimmy Carter began a tour of South America with a visit to Venezuela, where he made a positive impression on his hosts by delivering two short speeches in Spanish. President Carter and Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez issued a joint statement emphasizing strong agreement on the importance of the Panama Canal treaties, the seriousness of human rights abuses in Nicaragua, and the problem of Cuban military involvement in Africa.

Terrorism
A letter in former Italian Prime Minister (and current kidnapping victim) Aldo Moro's handwriting was delivered to the government. Mr. Moro appealed to the interior minister to negotiate with the terrorists, or he might be forced to reveal state secrets. The government and Mr. Moro's ruling Christian Democratic party refused to negotiate.

20 years ago
1988

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): I Should Be So Lucky--Kylie Minogue (3rd week at #1)

World events
Panamanian troops and plainclothes police entered a hotel in Panama City and seized suspected opponents of the regime of President Manuel Noriega, as well as some foreign journalists. Most of those arrested were soon released.

The Israeli army said it would seal off the occupied territories for three days to frustrate Palestinian demonstrations planned for Land Day, the anniversary of the deaths of six Arabs killed in 1976 when they had protested the seizure of land by the Israeli government.

Diplomacy
The government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega began negotiations with the opposition Contras, as the United States began withdrawing troops from neighbouring Honduras.

Defense
The United States Senate Armed Services Committee voted 18-2 to endorse a treaty with the Soviet Union on intermediate-range nuclear forces.

Politics and government
Representative Dick Gephardt of Missouri suspended active campaigning for the 1988 Democratic Party U.S. presidential nomination.