The Sopwith Camel had been retired long before World War II, in 1920 I think. We flew Fairey Swordfish at Taranto. 

Of course you are right. Silly me with another senior moment. The Swordfish was a biplane too which led to my confusion. It was also outdated. 

c’mon Tom, you know quite well it wasn’t Edison. I think you’re looking for a wind up.

c’mon Tom, you know quite well it wasn’t Edison. I think you’re looking for a wind up.

Practical is the operative word, Art. 

19 January 1736 - James Watt born.

Scottish inventor who made important advances in the development of the steam engine allowing GB to become the leading power in the Industrial Revolution. Much of his work was carried out in partnership with Matthew Boulton the forgotten half of the enterprising industrial duo.

Controversy continues. He went to court in GB only where his patent was recognized. As the post says, Edison failed 1,000 times prior, but his was the most practical with a better filament which lasted longer. 

I have to admit that scientific matters are largely a mystery to me, so the next post will stick to facts lifted from a book, others can provide clarity if they wish.

20 January 1775 - André Ampère born.

French physicist whose work at the École Polytechnique in Paris led to his publication on the relationship between electricity and magnetism in 1820. The SI unit of electrical current the amp is named after him.

21 January 1954 - Launch of SSN-571 USS Nautilus.

The first nuclear powered submarine. Construction began in 1952 at the General Dynamics yard at Groton CT and named after the submarine in Jules Verne's novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.

Decommissioned in 1980 the Nautilus sailed under the North Pole in 1958 and had sailed over 513 nautical miles in its 26 year career. It is now a museum ship in her home port of Groton.

21 January 1954 - Launch of SSN-571 USS Nautilus.

The first nuclear powered submarine. Construction began in 1952 at the General Dynamics yard at Groton CT and named after the submarine in Jules Verne's novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.

Decommissioned in 1980 the Nautilus sailed under the North Pole in 1958 and had sailed over 513 nautical miles in its 26 year career. It is now a museum ship in her home port of Groton.

More like 500,000 nautical miles, Mark. 

22 January 1472 - The Great Comet of 1472.

On this date a comet passed closer to the Earth than any other in recorded history.

First sighted in December 1471 (hence its official modern designation of C/1471 Y1) it was visible for over eight weeks coming closest on this day 1472. Modern estimates are that it passed within 6½ million miles of Earth. 

1858, early! The first manned balloon seen in my area was in January 1785 just a few days before the first balloon flight across the English Channel. 

23 January 1849 - The first female doctor qualified.

Born in England Elizabeth Blackwell's family emigrated to the USA when she was 11. Having been turned down by several universities she was accepted into the Geneva Medical College NY in 1847 graduating as an MD in 1849. Thereafter she spent two years in Europe furthering her studies before returning to the USA. In 1869 she moved permanently back to GB where she died aged 89 in 1910. 

The first person to appear on television was a 20 year old office worker William Taynton whom Baird invited to be filmed after he'd perfected the process with a dummy's head.  

24 January 1888 - Ernst Heinkel born.

German aircraft designer who founded his own company in 1921. Much of his early work was on aircraft for Japan, but with the rise of Hitler he began designing and building aircraft for Germany, the most successful being the medium bomber the He111. Among his many aircraft was the first turbojet fighter the He 178. 

After the war he built motorcycles and the bubble car the Heinkel Kabine.