8 February 1924 - The first execution in a gas chamber in the USA.

Gee Jon born in China emigrated to the USA aged around 12/13 and lived in San Francisco where he became a member of a Chinese crime syndicate. In August 1921 he and another syndicate member travelled to Mina NV to kill an elderly man a member of a rival crime gang. Gee shot and killed the man at his home. Both were arrested later that same day.

They were both convicted in February 1922 with Gee being sentenced to death. A recently passed law authorizing the use of a gas chamber for executions meant that Gee was the first to die by this method.

After the usual delays and appeals a date was set for his execution at the Nevada State Prison, Carson City. On the prescribed day he was strapped into a metal chair before hydrocyanic acid provided by the California Cyanine Co was pumped into the chamber. Death appeared to be relatively quick and the gas was vented out after about 20 minutes, but it was more than two hours before his body was removed. No post mortem was carried out and Gee aged 29 was buried in the prison cemetery.

I've stupidly gone and put today's anniversary on the On This Date page. Normal service will be resumed tomorrow.  

10 February 1912 - Joseph Lister, Baron Lister of Lyme Regis, died.

English surgeon and pioneer of antiseptic surgery.

As Professor of Surgery at Glasgow University in 1865 he introduced the use of carbolic acid as a steriliser thus revolutionizing the effects of surgery and greatly increasing a patient's chances of survival. 

He was created a Baronet in 1883 and raised to the Peerage as Baron Lister in 1897.  

Someone who thoroughly deserved the honours bestowed upon him. 

11 February 1847 - Thomas Edison born.

American inventor of all sorts of things. 

12 February 1809 - Charles Darwin born.

One of the great names in modern science. At the age of 22 he set off as the unpaid naturalist on the round the world voyage of HMS Beagle, a journey of nearly five years in which Darwin made many observations and experiments. These formed the basis of one of the most important books in history - On the Origin of Species published in 1859. 

He published further works on a similar theme earning praise and derision in equal measure.

13 February 1743 - Sir Joseph Banks born.

English botanist famous for his voyage around the world on HMS Endeavour with James Cook 1768-71. His plant collection formed the basis of the Kew Gardens collection. More than 80 species of plants bear his name. He also took part in natural history expeditions to Iceland and Newfoundland.

Created a baronet in 1781 he served as President of the Royal Society for 41 years.