1907day.year
Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland announces the creation of Bakelite, the world's first synthetic plastic.
In 1907, Leo Baekeland announced Bakelite, the world’s first fully synthetic plastic, revolutionizing material science.
On this day in 1907, Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland unveiled Bakelite, the first entirely synthetic plastic ever created.
Formed by combining phenol and formaldehyde, Bakelite offered heat resistance and electrical nonconductivity.
Its versatility led to uses in telephones, jewelry, kitchenware, and countless industrial applications.
Bakelite’s success launched the modern plastics industry and inspired the development of many new polymers.
Baekeland’s invention remains a landmark in chemistry and manufacturing history.
1907
Leo Baekeland
Bakelite
plastic
1913day.year
Greek military aviators Michael Moutoussis and Aristeidis Moraitinis perform the first naval air mission in history, with a Farman MF.7 hydroplane.
On February 5, 1913, Greek aviators Michael Moutoussis and Aristeidis Moraitinis carried out the first naval air mission using a Farman hydroplane.
On February 5, 1913, Greek military aviators Michael Moutoussis and Aristeidis Moraitinis conducted the world's first naval air mission with a Farman MF.7 hydroplane.
Launching from the sea, their flight demonstrated the potential of seaborne aircraft for reconnaissance and coordination.
This operation marked an innovative fusion of aviation technology with naval warfare tactics.
Their pioneering mission foreshadowed the development of aircraft carriers and modern naval air forces.
It remains a milestone in the history of military aviation.
1913
Greek military aviators
Michael Moutoussis
Aristeidis Moraitinis
naval air
Farman MF.7
1924day.year
The Royal Greenwich Observatory begins broadcasting the hourly time signals known as the Greenwich Time Signal.
The Royal Greenwich Observatory began broadcasting the Greenwich Time Signal in 1924, providing precise hourly time 'pips' heard worldwide.
On February 5, 1924, the Royal Greenwich Observatory introduced the Greenwich Time Signal, commonly known as the 'pips.'
Broadcast over the BBC, five short tones marked the precise start of each hour from the Observatory’s atomic clock.
This innovation offered the public and industries unprecedented access to accurate timekeeping.
The pips became synonymous with reliability, guiding everything from railways to radio broadcasts.
Over the decades, the Greenwich Time Signal has remained an enduring cultural icon and technical benchmark.
It helped standardize time across the British Empire and later the world, supporting navigation and global communication.
1924
Royal Greenwich Observatory
Greenwich Time Signal
1971day.year
Astronauts land on the Moon in the Apollo 14 mission.
Apollo 14 astronauts Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell landed on the Moon on February 5, 1971, conducting experiments and collecting lunar samples.
On February 5, 1971, NASA's Apollo 14 mission achieved its lunar landing in the Fra Mauro highlands, marking the third successful manned Moon landing. Commanded by Alan Shepard with lunar module pilot Edgar Mitchell, the crew carried out scientific experiments and gathered nearly 43 kilograms of lunar rock and soil. Shepard famously hit two golf balls on the lunar surface, demonstrating athletic feats in reduced gravity. Apollo 14 resolved technical issues experienced by Apollo 13, restoring confidence in NASA's lunar exploration program. The mission's geological findings enhanced understanding of the Moon's formation and composition, contributing valuable data for future exploration.
1971
Apollo 14