How the symbol @ came to be used in Email Addresses?

Since medieval times business man-hour used the symbol @ as an abbreviation for ‘at’ or ‘each’ – for example ‘lac @ 1 pence a metre’. This is why it is included in the typewriters and subsequently, computer keyboards.

In 1972, American software engineer Ray Tomlinson, working for Computer Bolt, Beranek and Newman, devised the first e-mail program. For it to operate, he needed a symbol to separate the user name from machine details in e-addresses. The character had to be one that would never be found in someone’s name.

The koala is the only existing representative of the family Phascolarctidae. This cuddly animal is found in the coastal region of eastern and southern Australia.

The koala resembles a bear but is a marsupial or pouched animal just like kangaroos. It has soft, wool-like fur that is gray above and whites below the neck. It is a small, round animal weighing about 30 pounds and on average about 2 feet tall. The koala has a lifespan of about 17 years.

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A phobia is an irrational, persistent fear of certain situations, objects, activities, or persons. The main symptom of this disorder is the excessive, unreasonable desire to avoid the feared subject. Read More

Graphite is a form of carbon, first discovered in Borrowdale England in 1564. But later, Nicolas Conte a French chemist in 1795 used the mixture of clay and graphite that was fired and put in the wooden case. The lead was glued into the wooden case.

His method of kiln firing the mixture of clay and graphite helped in making pencils of any hardness and softness which is important to artists and draftsman.

Samuel O’ Relly, a famed tattooist in New York City, once stated, ” A Sailor without a tattoo is like a ship without grog – not seaworthy.”

Some scientists say certain marks on the skin of the Iceman – a mummified human body dating from about 3300 BC – like tattoos. These tattoos and body art are found more on Egyptian and Nubian mummies dating from about 2000 BC. Classical authors mention the use of tattoos in connection with the Greeks, ancient Germans, Gauls, Thracians, and ancient Britons.

Tattooing and body art was forbidden in Europe. The practice continued the Middle East and other parts of the world. Tattooing has been linked with the lives of the sailors. Captain Cook a sailor discovered tattooed natives in South Pacific. He thought it to be a perfect and exotic souvenir for him and his sailors.

THE TATTOS ON SAILORS AND ABOUT THEM

* A dragon showed the sailors had served on a China station.
* A full-rigged ship showed the sailor has sailed around Cape Horn.
* An anchor showed the sailor had sailed the Atlantic Ocean.
* A shellback turtle denoted a sailor who has crossed the equator.
* A golden dragon denoted a sailor who had crossed the international dateline.

Today, tattooing has reached new popularity. Tattoos have different meanings and are being put for various purposes. People of different ages, gender and different walks of life are finding different meanings. Tattooing is modern in its form only in the tools and designs used.

Henna, an Indian practice, is popular as long-lasting temporary body art. Tattooing has reached its level of individuality. The method of putting a tattoo is relatively safe and painless now. The tattoos are exchanged among friends, for beauty and adventure.

When Johann Vaaler patented his paper clip in 1901, similar designs on the books already existed.

William Middlebrook of Waterbury, Connecticut patented his design in 1899. Cornelius Brosnan of Springfields, Massachusetts patented his konaclips in 1900.

So, who was the first? Well, it is thought to be Johann Vaaler. drawings of his design date to early 1899, but since Norway had no patent law at that time, he had to seek patent rights in Germany and the US in the following years.

Johann Vaaler was born on 15 March 1866 in Aurskog, Norway. known as an innovator in his youth, he graduated in electronics, science, and mathematics. He was employed by the owner of an invention office when he invented the paper clip in 1899.

In 776 B.C. the early Olympic Games began in ancient Greece. They were held from 776 B.C. to A.D. 393. There are many different stories about the beginning of the Olympics. The ancient Olympic Games were primarily a part of a religious festival in honor of Zeus, the father of the Greek gods and goddesses. Read More

A traffic light is a road signal for directing vehicular traffic by means of colored lights, typically red for stop, green for go, and yellow for proceed with caution.

The world’s first traffic lights were invented by J P Knight who was the rail-road signal engineer and was installed near London’s House of Commons in 1868. It had two semaphore arms which, when extended horizontally, meant “stop”; and when drooped at a 45-degree angle, meant “caution.” At night, red and green gas lights accompanied the “stop” and “caution” positions. Read More

Royal Mail Ship (RMS) Titanic was one the greatest ship built in the twentieth century. The ship was supposed to be unsinkable but some things are beyond the reach of human intelligence. Read More