Words to live by

"Vessels large may venture more, But little boats should keep near shore."

Wise words from Benjamin Franklin who was born on this day, January 17, 1706.

Eccentric astronomer

Danish nobleman turned astronomer Tycho Brahe was born on December 14, 1546. His accurate astronomical observations were later used by his assistant Johannes Kepler to derive the Laws of Planetary Motion. But he was anything but another boring scientist. Brahe wrangled with mathematicians, lost his nose in a duel and apparently kept a pet moose and a dwarf. Even his death is controversial. He may have been poisoned by his famous assistant.

More Mobius

August Ferdinand Mobius was born on November 17, 1790. He is best known for his co-discovery of the Mobius strip and as a pioneer in Topology, which Sugar³ is studying at present.

If you haven't already, check out yesterday's post featuring a cool video of Mobius Transformations.

Monet boats

Claude Monet, pictured right, was born on November 14, 1840. His Water Lilies (scroll down) are ubiquitous, but CrackedPot's favorite Monet paintings are the ones with boats,especially sailboats.

Happy 232nd Birthday USMC!

Semper Fi.

The perils of aging

One of the downsides of aging in the digital age is your friends can post your picture on their blog and announce to any and all that you're now officially Over-the-Hill Middle-Aged. Happy 40th to Bob and 50th to Steve!

Old Ironsides

The oldest commissioned warship in the world, USS Constitution "Old Ironsides" turns 210 years old today. Construction on the frigate began in 1794 and she was launched on October 21, 1797. Currently she is undergoing a two year re-fit to spruce her up and bring her back to "fighting" condition.

The Captain's Clerk features some beautiful "Old Ironsides" artwork and nifty historical facts about the USS Constitution.

A man of his words

Noah Webster, famous author, lexicographer and Americanizer of the English language was born on this day 249 years ago.

Birthday \Birth"day`\, a.
Of or pertaining to the day of birth, or its anniversary; as,
birthday gifts or festivities.  [1913 Webster]

232 years old today

The United States Navy was established by the Second Continental Congress on October 13, 1775. Happy Birthday!

CrackedPot attended a Navy Birthday Ball where all the Sailors looked very spiffy in their Dress Whites. That is until an unfortunate incident (really, honestly, it was an accident!) involving an exploding bottle of Sunkist Orange Soda. Then the hapless victims resembled these.

Pictured is the Navy's sailing vessel, USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides." She is the oldest commissioned warship in the world.