Jack Leroy Cooper was born in Memphis, Tennessee back in 1888 to William and Lavina. He left home when he was ten moving to Cincinnati, Ohio where his was a successful boxer in his teens and a semi-professional baseball player. By 1905, he was working in vaudeville on the Theater Owners Booking Association.His role was as a circuit singer and dancer which soon he was running his own touring troupe with his wife. I don’t have a time frame but he began writing for newspapers in Memphis and Indianapolis. He moved to Chicago in the 1920’s where he wrote theater reviews for the Chicago Defender. He retired in 1959 and died in Chicago in 1970, he was 81.What you may not know about Jack is that he was the first African-American radio disc jockey. He started in 1926 again retiring in 1959. In 2... 07/27/2019

Nadia Elena was born in Onesti, Romania back in 1961 to Gheorghe and Stefania. She graduated from the Politehnica University in Bucharest with a degree in sports education. In 1970, she began competing as a member of her hometown team in gymnastics, she was only 7 at that time.In 1975, at 13 she won the European Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. While you may not know Nadia certainly you’ve heard of Nadia Comaneci, in 1976 she made history at the Montreal Olympics being awarded the first perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics for her routine on the uneven bars. Believing no one was able to get that perfect score the scoreboard was not programmed to display that score, thus it appeared as “1.00,” the only means by which the judges could indicate that she had indeed received that perfect 10 score.Du... 07/21/2019

Christopher Sydney was born in Cambridge, United Kingdom back in 1910 to Sydney and Florence. He attended Gresham’s School in Holt. He studied mechanical engineering at Peterhouse, Cambridge. In 1934, he studied radio and electronics at the University of Cambridge.He worked at the Marconi Company leading a research team on radio location technology. He left Marconi in 1951, buying Ripplecraft Ltd. In 1955, he applied and received a patent No GB 854211. He could not find any businesses to use his invention so he approached the British Government. They weren’t interested but put his invention one the government’s secret list. In 1958, that classification was declassified when Saunders-Roe ordered a full-scale prototype and as they say the rest is history.What you may not know about Sir Ch... 07/04/2019

William Schieffelin was born in Norfolk, Virginia back in 1908. He attended the public schools in Washington, D.C.   In 1928, he received his BS degree from Howard University. He continued his education receiving a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1933. After graduation, he taught at HBCU West Virginia State College for three years.In 1937, he received a Rosenwald Fellowship at the University of Michigan, staying there for several years. During WWII, he served in the US Army, teaching Anti-Aircraft Artillery Schools in Virginia and Georgia. In 1947, he joined the faculty at Howard where he taught until his retirement in 1965. He died just two years later in 1967, he was 59.What you may not know about William Schieffelin Claytor is that he was the first African-American to have... 06/26/2019

Joy Cherian was born in Kerala State, India back in 1942. He graduated from the Sacred Heart High School, then from the University of Kerala with a B.A. in 1963 and a Bachelor of Law in 1965. He received his Ph.D. from Catholic University of America in 1974. His first book “Investment Contract and Arbitration (1975) is a reference resource that is still used in graduate schools in the United States and abroad. He is credited for the formation of the American Bar Association, the Committee on International Insurance Law and the Committee on International Employment Law. He was awarded the India Abroad Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. What you may not know about Dr. Joy Cherian is that he is the first Asian American and the first Indian American Commissioner of the United States Equal ... 06/21/2019

Harry Francis Chaddick was born in Chicago, Illinois back in 1902. Sorry, I don’t have any information about his parents. He started as a stock boy, then worked as an assistant pharmacist. In 1924, he bought a truck for $350.00 and entered the shipping business.He was the first to use the “piggyback” transportation, using the concept for rail shipping and trucks. He was the first to use two-way radios in his trucks. He negotiated with Jimmy Hoffa, establishing a comprehensive truck terminal on the West Side of Chicago. During WWII because of his expertise he was appointed to oversee the transportation of men and materials to North Africa.What you may not know about Harry is that he was also into real estate. He started working in Chicago in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. He started F... 06/05/2019

Charles Irving was born in Wilmington, Delaware back in 1906. He graduated from Bucknell University and Drew University. He joined the United States Army in 1936 assigned to Fort H.G. Wright. In 1942, he was assigned to The Pentagon to establish chaplaincy work in the United States Army Air Forces.Just to be sure he was an ordained Methodist pastor. In 1949, he was promoted to Major General, being transferred to the United States Air Force Academy. He was awarded the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster and the Belgian Military Cross, first class.What you may not know about Charles Irving Carpenter is that he was the first Chief of Chaplains, given that distinction in 1948, a title which he held until his retirement. He died in 1994, he was 88.Your day is worthwhile when you make someo... 05/28/2019

Petri Hawkins was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina back in 1957. He graduated from Southwest High School, continuing his education at Hostos Community College in The Bronx. He started working as a court officer in Brooklyn. In 1986, he was transferred to the Family Court division in Manhattan. In 1989, he received a criminal justice degree for John Jay College. Just a year later he moved to San Francisco Bay Area working for the United States Marshals Service. In 1996, his former Judge made a call to his home offering him a job as a bailiff, which he accepted. His duties include but not limited to swearing the litigants, delivering the case number to the Judge, dismissing the parties and escorting them out of the court room once the case is over.If you haven’t already guessed it I’m... 05/09/2019

James Broselow was born in Woodbury, New Jersey back in 1943 to Benjamin and Charlotte. He received his undergraduate degree in economics from Dartmouth College in 1965. He continued his education earning his medical degree from the New Jersey college of Medicine and Dentistry in 1969.After graduation, he entered private practice in Frankenmuth, Michigan. In 1980, he became interested in emergency medicine, moving to North Carolina. There he practiced in emergency medicine at Lincoln County Hospital, Cleveland Memorial and Catawba Valley Medical Center, retiring in 2006.What you may not know about James is that in 1985 he invented the Broselow Tape. It is used to determine the size of equipment, supplies and dosages of medication to use based on the pediatric patent’s height to his/her ... 04/13/2019

Georg Brandt was born in Riddarthyttan, Vastmanland back in 1694 to Jurgen and Katarina. I’m sorry but that is about all that I know about him as far as his place of birth. What I can tell you about Georg is that he was a professor of chemistry at Uppsala University in Sweden.Around 1741 he wrote there about six kinds of metals (know at that time). He died of prostate cancer in 1768. Sorry but this one is going to be short and sweet. What you may not know about Georg is that he is noted for the discovery of cobalt.Until tomorrow give someone the free gift of a smile 04/01/2019

Edward Thomas Both was born in Caltowie, South Australia back in 1908 to James and Lucy.  He graduated from Jamestown High School and started studying at the University of Adelaide.  He caught the attention of Kerr Grant who hired him to be his assistant when he was 16.  In 1932, he invented something that would start his career with other inventions, more on that in a moment.  His next invention came in 1937 during the outbreak of polio.  During WWII, he worked to develop guided torpedoes for the war effort.  I’ll get to those inventions but now a little about his personal life.  He married Lily in 1937, as far as I can tell the union never produced any offspring.  He died in 1987, he was 79.What you may not know about Edward is that he invented a low-cost “iron lung” a humidicrib (an ... 03/29/2019

Alfred Bird was born in Nympsfield, Gloucestershire, England back in 1811. I don’t have any information about him until 1837, so this one is going to be short, very short. In Birmingham, England he was a registered pharmacist. As a qualified druggist, he opened an experimental chemist’s shop in Bull Street, Birmingham.   His first major invention came in 1837, however it wasn’t until 1843 that invented something that is still in use to this day. He died in 1878 in Kings Norton, Worchestershire.What you may not know about Alfred is that invention he discovered back in 1837, was an egg-free custard he used cornflower instead of an egg to create an imitation of egg custard. However, his biggest invention was that of baking-powder, from what I could find out the ingredients haven’t changed ... 03/07/2019

Elizabeth Gould was born in Newry Co. Down, Ireland back in 1862. I only have the name of her father Joseph. I have no data as to her early upbringing but I can tell you she enrolled at Queen’s College, Belfast. She must have been one smart lady as she also went to the Royal University of Ireland, graduating in 1893.After graduation, she worked as a GP (general practitioner) in Belfast. Her patients consisted mostly of women and children. She married Hugh Fisher (date unknown), that union produced one son Hugo. During WWI, she volunteered to work for the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1916. She was put in charge of the ward in Malta. Her son died of his wounds after the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917.What you may not know about Elizabeth Gould Bell Fisher is that she was the first woman t... 02/25/2019

Roland Sherwood was born in Santa Monica, California back in 1930 to Roland A. and Frances. His father taught Hawaiian steel guitar. He took up playing the guitar at age nine, by his early teens he was a member of the Musicians Union. Still in his early teens he began playing professionally in South Central Los Angeles beer bars.During the Korean War, he did a tour of duty in the United States Air Force Band, playing guitar and bass drum. After being discharged he opened up what was arguably the first music store in the United States to sell guitars exclusively. That business has grown to sell its products in more than 5,500 stores and exported to more than 70 countries of the world.What he did not create anything new, he took a product, modified it as a better way to fulfill market dem... 01/26/2019

Rudolf Heinrich was born in Rodalben, Palatinate, Germany back in 1922 to Leo and Lotte. At 14 he was expelled from school because of his ancestry. He had to attend an all-Jewish school.in 1938, just two months prior to Kristallnacht the family moved to New York City. He worked in a factory for $12.00 a week. At a bus station, he saw an advertisement for the budding electronics field, so he quit his job graduating from the National Radio Institute in 1940. In 1943, he was drafted to fight in WWII assigned to the military intelligence because he was bi-lingual. After the war, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the American Television Institute of Technology in 1949. He worked at several places before he joined Sanders Associates in Nashua, New Hampshire in 1956 where he ... 01/16/2019

Yasha Asley was born in Leicester, United Kingdom back in 2003. He lived exclusively with his father. At the ripe old age of seven he took a six module of Advanced-Level of math, at eight he is the youngest person in the world to achieve grade A at Advanced-Level Mathematics, scoring 100% and 99% in two of the six papers.At twelve he enrolled at the University of Leicester, finishing his degree with first-class honor in July of 2017. He became a paid teaching university employee at the age of 13. He is the youngest-ever paid teaching university employee. He is currently working on his PhD research while teaching. Frankly, this is way beyond me, what about you. Short and sweet for today.Until tomorrow give someone the free gift of a smile. 01/07/2019

Edwin Howard was born in Chelsea, Manhattan, New York back to 1890 to John and Emily. When he was 8 he contracted Sydenham’s chorea, for the rest of his life he had a physical tic, exacerbated by excitement or stress. His disability caused him to withdraw for public school, deciding to be home-schooled.In 1909, he enrolled at Columbia University, graduating in 1913 with an electrical engineering degree. During WWI, he served in the Signal Corps as a captain being promoted to major before the end of the conflict. In 1934, he was appointed Professor of Electrical Engineering at Columbia where he remained for the rest of his life. He died in 1954, he was 63.What you may not know about Edwin Howard Armstrong is that he held 42 patents and was the first to receive the Medal of Honor awarded ... 12/31/2018

Beatriz Enriquez de Arana was born in Santa Maria of Trassierra, Spain back in 1467 to Pedro and Ana. Around 1487 she met someone I’m sure you’ve heard of, (more on that in a moment). From what I’ve read she knew how to read and write, unusual for females in those days.While she never married she did have two children Diego and Ferdinand. While her lover was away she took great care of them. Queen Isabella congratulated her for her outstanding work. She died in 1536. The man she had loved left his fortune to her which she never claimed.What you may not know about Beatriz is that she was the mistress of Christopher Columbus. That’s right Christopher had two sons, who knows I may write about them in the future.Until tomorrow give someone the free gift of a smile. 12/27/2018

Archie Alphonso was born in Ottumwa, Iowa back in 1888 to Price and Mary. I don’t have a time frame but the family moved to Des Moines where Archie became head custodian at the Des Moines National Bank. He went to Des Moines College where he played tackle from 1910-1912. The team gave him the nickname of “Alexander the Great” apparently, he was good.After graduation, he worked as a foreman for a bridge-building company. Continuing his education at the University of London he obtained a degree in civil engineering in 1925 from the State University of Iowa.In 1929, he started a business Alexander and Repass. They were responsible for the construction of numerous roads and bridges. Some of his accomplishments were the Whitehurst Freeway, the Tidal Basin Bridge and the Baltimore-Washington ... 12/18/2018

Kathy Streib posted a question  yesterday.  Normally I don't respond, however this one was fun.   Age: Let’s just say I’m a senior citizen Best Trait: Dependable Biggest fear: Snakes Favorite time of the year: Each day I wake up Favorite drink: Coffee, beer and a good vodka Early bird or night owl? Early bird Favorite song: Proud to be an American  Ghosts, are they real? Absolutely Hometown: New Albany, Indiana In love with: My wife, of course Favorite Holiday Song: It’s a Holly Jolly Christmas Favorite Movie: Patton, Sherlock Holmes Last time you felt happy: always Number of siblings: None One wish:  Peace, and everyone never being hungry Person you call the most often: My wife Question you're always asked: How’s the market Reason to smile: Waking up Song last sung: Hmm, I can’t recall... 12/12/2018