1896day.year
An X-ray generating machine is exhibited for the first time by H. L. Smith.
H. L. Smith unveiled the first X-ray generating machine in 1896, pioneering medical imaging technology.
In 1896, inventor H. L. Smith introduced the first practical X-ray generating machine to the public.
Building on Wilhelm Röntgen’s discovery of X-rays in 1895, Smith’s device produced controlled imaging of bones and dense structures.
Medical practitioners saw its potential for non-invasive diagnosis and anatomical studies.
The machine used high-voltage electric currents to generate X-rays, which passed through soft tissues but were absorbed by denser materials.
Smith’s exhibition marked a critical step toward the widespread adoption of radiography in medicine and industry.
1896
X-ray
generating machine
1911day.year
Eugene B. Ely lands on the deck of the USS Pennsylvania anchored in San Francisco Bay, the first time an aircraft landed on a ship.
Eugene B. Ely achieved the first airplane landing on a ship’s deck in 1911, showcasing naval aviation’s potential.
On 18 January 1911, pilot Eugene B. Ely landed his Curtiss pusher biplane on the deck of the USS Pennsylvania in San Francisco Bay.
This groundbreaking event marked the world’s first successful aircraft landing on a ship, proving the feasibility of naval aviation.
Engineers had installed makeshift rails and a temporary platform to facilitate Ely’s landing.
The achievement spurred naval and military interest in shipborne aircraft operations.
It laid the foundation for future development of aircraft carriers and revolutionized maritime warfare and reconnaissance.
1911
Eugene B. Ely
USS Pennsylvania
San Francisco Bay
1977day.year
Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announce they have identified a previously unknown bacterium as the cause of the mysterious Legionnaires' disease.
Scientists at the US CDC identified the Legionella bacterium as the cause of Legionnaires’ disease.
On January 18, 1977, CDC researchers announced the discovery of Legionella pneumophila as the cause of Legionnaires’ disease.
The disease had first emerged in July 1976 during an outbreak at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia, leaving dozens dead.
Using advanced microscopy and culture techniques, the team isolated and identified the previously unknown bacterium.
This breakthrough enabled the development of diagnostic tests and targeted antibiotic treatments.
It marked a watershed moment in epidemiology and public health safety standards for air conditioning systems.
The finding has since saved countless lives by preventing and controlling future outbreaks.
1977
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
bacterium
Legionnaires' disease
2005day.year
The Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial jet, is unveiled at a ceremony in Toulouse, France
The world’s largest commercial jet, the Airbus A380, was revealed in Toulouse in 2005, showcasing a new era of air travel.
At a grand ceremony in Toulouse on January 18, 2005, Airbus unveiled the A380, the world’s largest commercial aircraft. This double-deck, four-engine jet could carry up to 853 passengers and symbolized a leap forward in aeronautical engineering. The A380 program brought together resources from across Europe, involving thousands of engineers and suppliers. Airlines hailed the aircraft’s fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, anticipating a new era of long-haul travel. The unveiling set ambitious targets for production and service entry, though the program would later face challenges in cost and demand.
2005
Airbus A380
Toulouse