#ThrowbackThursday – 13 March
It’s 13 March, and that means it’s time for another edition of Throwback Thursday! Today, we’re taking a look back at three prominent events that went down on this day in history:
1781 – Celebrating 244 Years of Uranus!
On this day 244 years ago, a German-British astronomer named Frederick William Herschel made a celestial blunder of epic proportions: he discovered the planet Uranus!
Initially mistaking it for a comet, Herschel – who was armed with a self-made telescope – soon realised he had found a new planet.
Herschel fancied naming his discovery “Georgium Sidus” after England’s King George III. However, the planet ended up with a more poetic title, courtesy of fellow astronomer Johann Bode: Uranus, after the Greek god of the sky. Still, it didn’t stop Herschel from cheekily dubbing it the “Georgian Planet” in his portraits.
Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun. The ice giant boasts a unique sideways spin, with extreme seasons and a chilly atmosphere. It harbours 28 moons, all named after characters from William Shakepeare’s plays, as well as two sets of rings.
Despite its grand stature (it’s four times wider than Earth!), Uranus is not a hospitable neighbour. Its icy depths and volatile conditions make it an unlikely host for life. As such, Uranus remains a frosty enigma in our solar system!
Nevertheless, this discovery was groundbreaking, marking the first planet found since antiquity. Herschel’s fame skyrocketed, earning him a Knighthood and the title of King’s Astronomer. His fame didn’t stop there; he also won the Copley Medal and delved into nebulae research.
1852 – From Cartoons to Cultural Symbol
The term “Uncle Sam” has been around since the early 19th century. That particular nickname, used to personify the United States of America (specifically, its federal government), conjures up images of a top-hatted, white-bearded man dressed in star-spangled-and-striped attire.
Such images originate from political cartoons and propaganda of the time, but the first cartoon to popularise the character of Uncle Sam is often attributed to the illustrator Frank Bellew.
Bellew illustrated a political cartoon for the 13 March 1852 edition of “The New York Lantern”: he critiqued American trade policies by portraying Uncle Sam as indecisive while the character John Bull (personifying Britain) was actively assisting his country’s shipping endeavours.
Since then, Uncle Sam has been featured in countless political cartoons, advertisements and cultural events, becoming an enduring figure in American folklore. One of the most famous depictions came from the artist James Montgomery Flagg, who created the iconic “I Want You” recruitment poster during World War I.
Fans of entertainment may recall the character of Apollo Creed famously donning red, white and blue attire reminiscent of Uncle Sam in the 1985 film, “Rocky IV.” Most recently, actor Samuel L. Jackson made a cameo as Uncle Sam during rapper Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show at the Super Bowl LIX.
1877 – Earmuff Empire
With a name like “Farmington”, you wouldn’t think that this town in the US state of Maine would be known as the “Earmuff Capital of the World”. It was all thanks to the inventive genius of Chester Greenwood, who patented earmuffs on 13 March 1877.
Born on 8 December 1858, Greenwood grew up in a family of six on a farm. He began working from an early age, selling eggs and sweets to help support his family. At just 15, he sought a solution for his cold ears while skating outdoors, as traditional wool caps caused his ears discomfort.
Inspired by his experiences, Greenwood fashioned a pair of earmuffs using flexible wire shaped into ear loops and covered with beaver fur (some sources say that his grandmother helped with sewing the beaver fur onto the loops).
Seeking improvements, Greenwood later added a steel band for support and velvet lining for comfort. His innovative design earned him “US patent No. 188 292” at the age of 18.
Before his patent was granted, Greenwood tested his earmuff prototypes around town. Initially ridiculed, the idea soon gained traction, prompting local residents to create their own versions. Recognising its potential, the teenager established Greenwood’s Ear Protector Factory in Farmington to mass-produce “Greenwood’s Champion Ear Protectors”.
Greenwood’s business flourished: by 1883, his factory produced 30 000 pairs annually, escalating to over 400 000 pairs by 1936 (which came in handy for American soldiers during World War I, just two decades prior). His original design underwent several modifications, including adjustable features and folding hinges.
Greenwood passed away in 1937 at the age of 78, but his legacy endures: Maine designated 21 December as “Chester Greenwood Day”, celebrating his contributions with an annual parade in Farmington.
