1975 1977

What Happened This Year 1976

All Events 91 Births 712 Deaths 239

People Who Died in 1976

Joe Fulks

Basketball player, early NBA star

Born

October 26th, 1921 104 years ago

Died

1976 49 years ago — 55 years old

Played professional basketball primarily for the Philadelphia Warriors in the 1940s and 1950s. Contributed to the development of the jump shot as a scoring method. Averaged 22.1 points per game during his career and led the league in scoring during the 1946-47 NBA season. Fulks was instrumental in helping the Warriors win the championship in the inaugural NBA season.

Ida Browne

Geologist and palaeontologist with major contributions

Born

August 16th, 1900 125 years ago

Died

1976 49 years ago — 76 years old

Born in 1900, this Australian geologist and palaeontologist specialized in the study of fossilized plants. Significant work involved the examination and classification of Cretaceous and Tertiary flora in Australia. Contributions facilitated a better understanding of the evolution of Australia's prehistoric environment. Active in academia, held positions at leading universities and published extensively on palaeobotany.

Percy Shaw

Inventor of the cat's eye

Born

April 15th, 1890 135 years ago

Died

1976 49 years ago — 86 years old

An English businessman developed a reflective road safety device that improved visibility for drivers at night. The device, called the cat's eye, consisted of a pair of reflective lenses mounted in a rubber housing. This invention increased road safety and gained widespread adoption in the UK and beyond. Originally patented in the 1930s, the cat's eye significantly reduced accidents by enhancing lane visibility during low-light conditions. Shaw's company continued to produce cat's eyes for decades.

Jimmy Reed

Singer-songwriter and guitarist: Big Boss Man

Born

September 6th, 1925 100 years ago

Died

1976 49 years ago — 51 years old

A prominent figure in the rhythm and blues genre, this artist crafted a distinctive sound characterized by smooth vocals and expressive guitar work. Emerging in the 1950s, released numerous hit songs that helped define blues music, showcasing a unique blend of rock and roll influences. Hit singles include 'Big Boss Man' and 'Baby What You Want Me to Do'. His work has been influential within the genre, particularly in integrating elements of rock into blues. Continued to perform and record until his passing, leaving a lasting legacy in music history.

Hugo Wieslander

Swedish decathlete with Olympic participation

Born

June 11th, 1889 136 years ago

Died

1976 49 years ago — 87 years old

Competed in the decathlon, representing Sweden at the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games. Achieved significant results in multi-event competitions during the early 20th century. Won multiple national championships and contributed to the development of track and field athletics in Sweden.