Author Archives: dcaligari

On February 7, 1863, English chemist John Newlands published one of the first tables of elements. Newlands divided the known 56 elements into 11 groups based on the “Law of Octaves.” His table suggested that anyone element will have similar properties to elements eight places before and behind it on the table. While this theoryContinue reading “National Periodic Table Day”

February 7, 1974 – Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles opened on this date. (One could not make this film again.) Hedy Lamarr sued Mel Brooks over the use of the name Hedley Lamarr and settled out of court. Brooks said he was flattered by this attention. The reference to suing Hedy Lamarr was from Harvey Korman’sContinue reading “Screw you, I work for Mel Brooks”

February 7, 1914 – Charlie Chaplin first appeared as The Tramp, in his first film Kid Auto Races at Venice which was released by Keystone Studios, on this date. The Tramp, as portrayed by Chaplin, was a bumbling but usually good-hearted character who was most famously presented as a vagrant who endeavors to behave withContinue reading “A character is born”

February 7, 1999 –Blondie went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with Maria, giving the group their sixth UK No.1 single, 20 years after their first No.1, Heart of Glass. This was Blondie’s comeback song – at the age of 54, lead singer Debbie Harry became the oldest female to make No.1 in theContinue reading “She moves like she don’t care”

February 7, 1964 – It was 62 years ago today, The Beatles arrived at JFK International Airport to begin their first tour of the United States. They helped bring about a social revolution whose effects can be felt to this day. They had nothing to declare but their genius. The Beatles came from Britain, sometimesContinue reading “Trust me – there’s a connection here”

February 6, 1965 –The Righteous Brothers song You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ hit No. # 1 on the Billboard charts on this date. The husband-and-wife songwriting team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil wrote this song at the request of Phil Spector, who was looking for a hit for an act he had just signedContinue reading “You never close your eyes anymore …”

February 6, 1966 – No amount of sweet tea, fresh hay or willing fillies could induce Bamboo Harvester (yes, I know he was a gelding,) to go on and the final episode of Mister Ed, Ed Goes to College aired on CBS TV on this date. Mister Ed’s ability to talk was never explained andContinue reading “You know they couldn’t put him out to stud”

can spring be far behind? We are halfway between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, which is the scientifically correct way of saying it’s the middle of winter, such as it is in the Northeast. I used to hope that by the second half of Winter, we could coast to the start of Spring. GivenContinue reading “O, wind, if winter comes,”

February 6, 1992 –David Letterman’s Late Night’s 10th Anniversary Show at Radio City Music Hall aired on NBC TV, on this date. Bob Dylan was the musical guest. He was backed by Paul Schaefer and the World’s Most Dangerous Band, and a collection of back-up singers that included Roseanne Cash, Nancy Griffith, Emmylou Harris, MichelleContinue reading “Enjoy another Letterman Anniversary Show”

Today is Waitangi Day in New Zealand. This celebrates the February 6, 1840 signing of The Treaty of Waitangi by representatives of the British Crown and leading Maori chiefs in Waitangi. The treaty preserved many Maori rights while making New Zealand a British Colony. Given the confused and confusing state of things, I must recommendsContinue reading “You still have time to get a card at Hallmark”