Births on May 18

Thomas Midgley, Jr.

Born on May 18, 1889

Thomas Midgley, Jr., American chemist and engineer (d. 1944)

Thomas Midgley Jr. (May 18, 1889 – November 2, 1944) was an American mechanical and chemical engineer. He played a major role in developing leaded gasoline (Tetraethyllead) and some of the first chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), better known in the United States by the brand name Freon; both products were later banned from common use due to concerns about their impact on human health and the environment. He was granted more than 100 patents over the course of his career.

The New Scientist called him a "one-man environmental disaster".

References

Thomas Midgley, Jr.

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Events on 1889

8 Jan

Punched card
Herman Hollerith is issued US patent #395,791 for the 'Art of Applying Statistics' — his punched card calculator.
30 Jan

Mayerling Incident
Archduke Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria, heir to the Austro-Hungarian crown, is found dead with his mistress Baroness Mary Vetsera in the Mayerling.
23 Mar

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is established by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in Qadian, British India.
2 May

Treaty of Wuchale
Menelik II, Emperor of Ethiopia, signs the Treaty of Wuchale, giving Italy control over Eritrea.
6 May

Exposition Universelle (1889)
The Eiffel Tower is officially opened to the public at the Universal Exposition in Paris.

Births on May 18

Thomas Midgley, Jr.

Born on May 18, 1889

References

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Events on 1889

Punched card

Mayerling Incident

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

Treaty of Wuchale

Exposition Universelle (1889)