On this day

12 August in history.

5 moments from 1851 to 1990: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Vector recreation of badge found on the front of IBM Personal Computers

1981

The IBM PC. IBM launched its Personal Computer. Its design became the standard for most PCs that followed.

Wikipedia: IBM Personal Computer

Photo: Own work (based on graphics by International Business Machines Corporation) / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 12 August

  1. Isaac Singer

    1851

    Singer's sewing machine

    Isaac Singer received a patent for his improved sewing machine.

    Wikipedia: Isaac SingerWikipedia: Singer Corporation

    Photo: Edward Harrison May / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. The surgeon Joseph Lister in 1902

    1865

    Clean surgery

    Joseph Lister used carbolic acid to keep a wound free of germs, the first antiseptic surgery. Deaths from infection after operations fell sharply.

    Wikipedia: Joseph ListerWikipedia: Antiseptic

    Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. William J. O Sullivan at desk with folded subsatellite, 30 inch subsatellite, 12 foot subsatellite, and corner reflector

    1960

    Echo 1A

    NASA launched Echo 1A, a huge shiny balloon that bounced radio signals around the Earth.

    Wikipedia: Project Echo

    Photo: NASA Langley Research Center / NACA / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. Tyrannosaurus Rex specimen "SUE" on display at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois

    1990

    Sue the T. rex

    Fossil hunter Sue Hendrickson found the largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton yet, in South Dakota. It was named Sue after her.

    Wikipedia: Sue (dinosaur)Wikipedia: Sue Hendrickson

    Photo: Evolutionnumber9 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.