Adam Eckfeldt (June 15, 1769 – February 6, 1852) was the second chief
coiner of the United States Mint. His father owned a large smithy and
involved himself in early attempts at American coinage. Eckfeldt built
early presses for the Mint, engraved some of its early dies, and was
responsible for some designs of early American copper pieces, as well as
the 1792 half disme, which some authorities consider the first United
States coin. He was appointed assistant coiner of the Mint in 1796, and
became chief coiner after his predecessor's death in 1814. During
Eckfeldt's tenure, the Philadelphia Mint moved to new premises and
expanded its operations. Setting aside unusual coins that were brought
in as bullion, he started the Mint's coin cabinet, which evolved into
the National Numismatic Collection. Despite his 1839 retirement,
Eckfeldt continued performing the duties of chief coiner until his
death, though his successor, Franklin Peale, bore the title.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Eckfeldt>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1878:
Eadweard Muybridge took a series of photographs to prove that
all four feet of a horse leave the ground when it gallops (animation
pictured), which became the basis of motion pictures.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sallie_Gardner_at_a_Gallop>
1919:
After nearly 16 hours in the air, the Vickers Vimy flown by
John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown crash-landed in County Galway,
Ireland, completing the first non-stop transatlantic flight.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transatlantic_flight_of_Alcock_and_Brown>
1944:
In the Saskatchewan general election, the Co-operative
Commonwealth Federation led by Tommy Douglas won enough seats in the
Legislative Assembly to form the first socialist government in North
America.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Douglas>
1996:
The Troubles: The Provisional Irish Republican Army detonated a
truck bomb in the commercial centre of Manchester, England, injuring
more than 200 people and causing widespread damage to buildings.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Manchester_bombing>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
lion's share:
(idiomatic) The majority; a large or generous portion.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/lion%27s_share>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
There is nothing like an odor to stir memories.
--William McFee
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_McFee>