What Happened This Year 1903
Born in 1903
Ernie Nevers
Played as a halfback in the National Football League. Achieved recognition as one of the early stars of American football, contributing to the league's popularity. Coached several teams after his playing career, including the Duluth Eskimos and Chicago Cardinals. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963, honoring a career that spanned the 1920s and 1930s. Beyond football, Nevers participated in various sports, showcasing versatility in athletics. His playing style and achievements helped shape the game during its formative years.
Continue ReadingAlonzo Church
A prominent mathematician and logician contributed significantly to the fields of mathematical logic and theoretical computer science. Introduced the concept of lambda calculus, which became foundational for functional programming. Developed the Church-Turing Thesis, proposing that any effectively calculable function can be computed by a Turing machine, laying important groundwork for modern computer science. Worked on recursive functions and demonstrated the undecidability of the Entscheidungsproblem. Served as a professor at Princeton University and held various prestigious academic positions.
Continue ReadingRose Rand
Born in Austria, a significant logician and philosopher contributed to the Vienna Circle, an influential group in the development of logical positivism. Active in the early to mid-20th century, offered critical insights into the philosophy of language and mathematics. Educated in mathematics and philosophy, her work spanned various topics including logical theory and the foundations of mathematics. Emigrated to the United States during World War II, continuing philosophical work in academic settings.
Continue ReadingRuth Graves Wakefield
A chef and entrepreneur, she owned the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts. In the 1930s, she invented the chocolate chip cookie by adding chocolate morsels to her butter drop cookie recipe. This innovation became widespread, leading to the chocolate chip cookie's popularity across the United States. The cookie's recipe was published in a Boston newspaper, quickly gaining traction. Eventually, Nestlé entered into an agreement to include her recipe on its chocolate packaging, further cementing the cookie's place in American culture.
Continue ReadingRaymond Radiguet
An influential French author and poet. Best recognized for the novel 'The Devil in the Flesh', which explores themes of love and desire during World War I. Radiguet's writings often reflected the complexities of youth and the impact of war on society. His literary career, although brief, garnered significant attention for its emotional depth and stylistic innovation. Radiguet's work is noted for its exploration of personal and societal conflicts amid the backdrop of historical events.
Continue ReadingJeanette MacDonald
An influential actress and singer in the early 20th century, this individual became renowned for her roles in a series of musical films. Collaborating frequently with Nelson Eddy, produced significant box office successes. Musical talents complemented on-screen performances in operettas that captivated audiences. Her performances helped define the genre for Hollywood musicals during the 1930s and 1940s.
Continue ReadingLou Gehrig
Played first base for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1939. Established himself as one of the greatest players in Major League Baseball history. Achieved a batting average of .340 over his career, with 493 home runs and 1,995 RBIs. Helped lead the Yankees to six World Series championships. Awarded the American League MVP in 1927. His career was tragically cut short by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, now commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, leading to a legacy of sportsmanship and resilience.
Continue ReadingWally Hammond
Played Test cricket for England from 1920 to 1947. Captained the team and had a successful coaching career. Accumulated over 7,000 runs in Test matches, including 22 centuries. Utilized strong batting skills, contributing significantly to England's cricketing achievements.
Continue ReadingMary Callery
Born in the United States, a prolific sculptor and academic, contributed significantly to modern sculpture and the promotion of the arts in America and France. Studied at the Art Students League and later became an influential figure in art education. Worked with a variety of materials and was particularly noted for her bronze sculptures. Participated in numerous exhibitions and her work is included in prestigious collections, showcasing the evolution of 20th-century modernist sculpture.
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