Bill Pickering
Scientist, engineer, space program leader
Born
1910
116 years ago
Died
Category
Scientists & Innovators
Country
United States
Links & References
An engineer and physicist, contributed significantly to the development of rocket technologies and space exploration. Worked on the design and deployment of numerous satellite systems, including the Pioneer and Voyager missions that explored the outer planets. Served as the director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and played a crucial role in the advancement of the United States' space capabilities.
Directed the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Oversaw the Pioneer and Voyager missions
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Hubert Aquin
Canadian author and political activist
Born
October 24th, 1929 96 years ago
Died
March 15th, 1977 48 years ago — 47 years old
An influential Canadian author and political activist, contributed significantly to Quebec's literary and political landscape. Played a key role in the Quebec sovereignty movement, aligning literature with activism. Published several important works, with 'Pour en finir avec décembre' recognized for its exploration of identity and politics. Actively engaged in political discourse, advocating for cultural and linguistic rights of Quebecois.
Continue ReadingCurtis Gans
Political Scientist and Author
Born
1937 89 years ago
Died
March 15th, 2015 10 years ago — 78 years old
Contributed to the field of political science with a focus on elections and voter behavior. Authored influential works that analyzed civic engagement and public opinion. Conducted extensive research on the relationship between democracy and voter turnout. Served as a director at the Committee for the Study of the American Electorate.
Continue ReadingBooth Gardner
American politician, Governor of Washington
Born
1936 90 years ago
Died
March 15th, 2013 12 years ago — 77 years old
Served as the 19th Governor of Washington from 1985 to 1993. Focused on education reform and economic development during tenure. Prior to governorship, held positions as the Pierce County Executive and in the Washington State Legislature. Advocated for environmental issues and played a role in the establishment of the state's growth management policy.
Continue ReadingJohn Pople
Chemist, Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Born
October 31st, 1925 100 years ago
Died
March 15th, 2004 21 years ago — 78 years old
A chemist and academic contributed to the development of computational methods in quantum chemistry. His work provided significant insights into chemical processes, leading to advancements in molecular modeling. Pople's pioneering efforts in the field established new methods for computational simulations in chemistry. He collaborated with various institutions and made lasting contributions that shaped modern chemistry practices. Pople was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1998 for his foundational contributions to computational quantum chemistry.
Continue ReadingMike Porcaro
Bass player for Toto
Born
1955 71 years ago
Died
March 15th, 2015 10 years ago — 60 years old
A prominent bass player, contributed to the rock band Toto, which formed in 1977. Played on their hit albums, including 'Toto IV', which won multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year in 1983. Joined the band in the late 1970s and remained with them until 2008. Participated in numerous tours and recordings, showcasing a distinct playing style that defined many of the band's classic tracks. Developed a reputation in the music industry for contributions to various projects beyond Toto, collaborating with a range of artists and musicians.
Continue ReadingSylvia Anderson
Voice actress and producer of Thunderbirds
Born
1927 99 years ago
Died
March 15th, 2016 9 years ago — 89 years old
A prominent voice actress and television producer, significant contributions included co-creating and producing the hit television series 'Thunderbirds'. Collaborated with her husband on various projects, establishing a distinctive style of puppetry and storytelling in children's programming. Besides 'Thunderbirds', produced other series such as 'Joe 90' and 'Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons', pioneering the use of marionettes in television. Involved in multiple aspects of production, including scriptwriting and voice characterizations, which helped define an iconic genre in British television.
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