The record for the first circumnavigation via both Poles by helicopter was achieved by Jennifer Murray and Colin Bodill (both UK), from 5 December 2006 to 23 May 2007, in a Bell 407 helicopter. The journey started and finished in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. It is also the fastest circumnavigation, of course, lasting 170 days 22 hr 47 min 17 sec. The record has been recognised by the Federation Aviation International (FAI). FAI requirements for the world record require that the aircraft covers more thant Continue reading →

Echo 1 (sometimes called Echo 1A) was launched on 10 July 1962 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA. It was a 30m (98 ft) diameter balloon with a reflective aluminium coating, allowing radio and television signals to be passively reflected back to Earth. It ceased operations on 24 May 1968.

The earliest competiton for snow body-boarders was held in Switzerland in 2002; three years later on 8 January 2005, the first race which allowed entrants to use these snow body-boards to compete against regular skiers was the Tahoe Winter Blue Adventure Race at Northstar-at-Tahoe Ski Resort, California, USA where seven out of 28 competitors raced on an Airboard® Classic – the first all-mountain body-board for snow-surfing.

The first crossword clue appeared in the US newspaper, New York World, on 21 December 1913. The puzzle lacked a 1-across and so the first clue was placed at 2-across. The clue was “What bargain hunters enjoy”. The answer? “Sales.” [NB Alternatively, the 1-down clue is “To govern”. Answer “Rule”.]

The first crossword puzzle appeared in the Sunday “Fun” section of US newspaper New York World on 21 December 1913. Created by journalist Arthur Wynne (UK), it was based on a diamond shaped grid, had no blacked-out squares and featured simple, non-cryptic clues.

The first collection of crossword puzzles was published in the USA in 1924. Called The Cross Word Puzzle Book it was the first publication by a new partnership formed by Dick Simon and Lincoln Schuster. The book, a compilation of crossword puzzles from US newspaper New York World, was an instant success and helped to establish publishing giant Simon & Schuster, who continue to produce crossword books to this day. [NB “Cross” and “Word” remained separate until the late 1920s]

The first ballistic custard pie was discharged by Mabel Normand (USA, 1892-1930) in the direction of Fatty Arbuckle (USA, 1887-1933) in A Noise from the Deep (USA 1913). In subsequent pictures Mabel was generally the recipient of Arbuckles pies. He had an unerring aim and an extraordinary physical dexterity that enabled him to hurl two pies at once in opposite directions! Traditionally, the pie of choice for throwing in actors faces. At first the pies used in slapstick comedies were the real thing, but it Continue reading →

In March 1997 clinical psychologist Dr. Kimberly Young (USA) established the Center for On-Line Addiction, the world’s first psychiatric cyberclinic for internet addicts and those with related mental health problems.

In October 2005 Gwen Stefani’s (USA) ‘Hollaback Girl’ became the first track to be have one million paid downloads in the USA.

The first ever ‘smiley’ was written by Scott Fahlman (USA) of Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA, on 19 September 1982. In a message on a bulletin board system, he proposed the use of 🙂 and 🙁 in emails, to signify the emotional context of the message and prevent misunderstandings in email communication.