On this day

13 August in history.

5 moments from 1876 to 1918: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Harry Brearley (1871-1948), metallurgist considered the inventor of stainless steel

1913

Stainless steel. Harry Brearley in Sheffield made the first stainless steel, a steel that does not rust.

Wikipedia: Harry Brearley

Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 13 August

  1. Richard Wagner Festspielhaus am Grünen Hügel in Bayreuth

    1876

    The first Ring cycle

    Wagner's opera festival at Bayreuth opened with the first performance of his complete Ring cycle.

    Wikipedia: Der Ring des NibelungenWikipedia: Bayreuth Festival

    Photo: Rico Neitzel / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.5)

  2. Payphone

    1889

    The pay phone

    William Gray of Hartford, Connecticut, patented a coin-operated telephone.

    Wikipedia: William Gray (inventor)Wikipedia: Payphone

    Photo: Brownings / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. 433 Eros

    1898

    The first near-Earth asteroid

    Astronomer Gustav Witt discovered 433 Eros, the first asteroid found that comes close to Earth.

    Wikipedia: 433 Eros

    Photo: NASA/JPL/JHUAPL (color version published at Planetary Society) / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. Opha May Johnson (2 Feb 1900 – Jan 1976) was the first woman to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. This is a photo of her shortly after enlisting

    1918

    The first woman Marine

    Opha May Johnson enlisted in the US Marine Corps. No woman had joined before her.

    Wikipedia: Opha May Johnson

    Photo: US Marine Corps / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

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