1873
A patent for blue jeans. Levi Strauss and tailor Jacob Davis patented work trousers strengthened with copper rivets. Blue jeans were born.
Wikipedia: Levi StraussPhoto: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
On this day
20 May in history.
5 moments from 1570 to 1964: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.
5 moments
More from 20 May
1570
The first modern atlas
Abraham Ortelius published Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, the first book of world maps in a uniform style.
Wikipedia: Theatrum Orbis TerrarumWikipedia: Abraham Ortelius
Photo: Abraham Ortelius / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
1875
The metre goes international
Seventeen countries signed the Metre Convention, agreeing to shared standards of measurement. World Metrology Day marks it each year.
Wikipedia: Metre ConventionWikipedia: World Metrology Day
Photo: Getsnoopy / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
1932
Amelia Earhart takes off
Amelia Earhart left Newfoundland to fly alone across the Atlantic.
Wikipedia: Amelia EarhartWikipedia: Transatlantic flight
Photo: Underwood & Underwood (active 1880 – c. 1950) [1] / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
1964
The echo of the Big Bang
Radio astronomers Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson found a faint hiss coming from every direction in the sky: leftover heat from the Big Bang.
Wikipedia: Cosmic microwave backgroundWikipedia: Arno Allan Penzias
Photo: ESA and the Planck Collaboration / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 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.