Historical Events tagged with "speed"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Sports & Recreation

Malcolm Campbell Breaks Land Speed Record

July 21st, 1925 99 years ago

Malcolm Campbell achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first person to exceed 150 miles per hour on land. He accomplished this feat at Pendine Sands in Wales, driving the powerful Sunbeam 350HP. With a two-way average speed of 150.33 mph (242 km/h), Campbell showcased both skill and the engineering prowess of the time. This impressive speed not only set a new record but also pushed the limits of automotive technology in an era fascinated by speed.

Continue Reading
Science & Technology

Ole Rømer Measures Speed of Light

November 21st, 1676 348 years ago

Danish astronomer Ole Rømer quantitatively measured the speed of light using observations of Jupiter's moon Io. He noted discrepancies in Io's orbital timing based on Earth's varying distance from Jupiter, leading to a groundbreaking calculation of light's speed at approximately 220,000 kilometers per second. His innovative approach established a foundation for future studies in optics and astronomy.

Continue Reading