What Happened This Year 1996

People Who Died in 1996

Scott Brayton

Race car driver, Indianapolis 500 participant
Born
February 20th, 1959 66 years ago
Died
1996 29 years ago — 37 years old

Achieved significant success as a race car driver, primarily competing in the IndyCar series. Raced for several teams, including the legendary Team Menard. Competed in the Indianapolis 500 multiple times, with notable finishes that highlighted a strong career in motorsport. Tragically, an accident during a practice session led to a fatal incident in 1992, cutting short a promising career.

Continue Reading

Ernest Bender

American Indologist and author
Born
January 2nd, 1919 106 years ago
Died
1996 29 years ago — 77 years old

Contributed significantly to the field of Indology. Focused on the study of Hinduism, Sanskrit, and Indian literature. Published multiple works that influenced academic discourse. Served as a professor at various institutions, fostering a deeper understanding of Indian culture and texts.

Continue Reading

Ademir Marques de Menezes

Brazilian footballer and coach
Born
November 8th, 1922 103 years ago
Died
1996 29 years ago — 74 years old

Born in Brazil, a celebrated footballer played as a forward primarily with Vasco da Gama. Achieved significant recognition during the 1950 FIFA World Cup, where scored 8 goals and was the tournament's leading scorer. After retirement, transitioned to coaching and sportscasting, sharing expertise and insights on football.

Continue Reading

Fearless Nadia

Actress and stuntwoman in Indian cinema
Born
January 8th, 1908 117 years ago
Died
1996 29 years ago — 88 years old

An Australian-Indian actress and stuntwoman, contributed significantly to Hindi cinema, particularly during the 1930s and 1940s. Gained fame for performing daring stunts in films, which was unusual for women at the time. Starred in multiple successful films that blended action and adventure, becoming a cultural icon in Indian film history. Pioneered women's roles in action films and established herself as a symbol of bravery and empowerment within the film industry.

Continue Reading

Rob Hall

New Zealand mountaineer, Everest guide
Born
January 14th, 1961 64 years ago
Died
1996 29 years ago — 35 years old

A prominent mountaineer with a focus on guiding expeditions on Mount Everest, played a central role in making the mountain more accessible to climbers. Co-founded Adventure Consultants, a guiding company that was instrumental in popularizing guided expeditions on Everest. Trained numerous climbers and led several successful ascents. His expertise and leadership during the 1996 Everest disaster have garnered significant attention and analysis in mountaineering literature.

Continue Reading

David Tudor

Pianist and composer of avant-garde works
Born
January 20th, 1926 99 years ago
Died
1996 29 years ago — 70 years old

A prominent figure in the field of experimental music, contributed significantly to the development of electronic music and performance art. Involvement with John Cage's works played a major role in shaping avant-garde music of the 20th century. Engaged in collaborative projects with notable composers and artists, including Merce Cunningham and prepared piano compositions. Worked extensively with live electronics, pushing boundaries of sound and performance.

Continue Reading

Philip Lucock

Australian politician and minister
Born
January 16th, 1916 109 years ago
Died
1996 29 years ago — 80 years old

Born in England in 1916, a significant figure in Australian politics, served as a minister in various capacities. Played a key role in the Australian Labor Party and was elected to the House of Representatives. Contributed to legislative reforms and public policy discussions during a dynamic period in Australia's political landscape. His tenure witnessed significant changes in the social and economic fabric of the country.

Continue Reading

Gertrude Blanch

Mathematician and researcher in topology
Born
February 2nd, 1897 128 years ago
Died
1996 29 years ago — 99 years old

Born in Russia, a mathematician contributed to the field of topology and functional analysis. Published significant research papers and played a vital role in mathematics education. Served as a professor at several institutions including New York University. Also involved in initiatives for women in mathematics.

Continue Reading

William Vickrey

Economist, Nobel Prize laureate
Born
June 21st, 1914 111 years ago
Died
1996 29 years ago — 82 years old

An economist and academic contributed to the theory of incentive systems and auction design. Vickrey's work on the theory of second-price auctions established foundational concepts in auction theory. He received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1996 for his analysis of incentives under asymmetric information and for his contributions to auction theory. Vickrey served as a professor at Columbia University and was actively involved in various economic research initiatives throughout his career.

Continue Reading