Today is Friday April 11.
The safety pin was patented on this date in 1849 by Walter Hunt. He invented it while twisting a piece of wire between his fingers trying to think of something to invent. His pin was not the first but it was the first with a top to prevent it from poking, hence the word safety pin.
He thought very little of his invention and sold the patent for $400, and then watched someone else get rich from it. If it wasn’t for punk rockers, safety pins would probably be a thing of the past. I wonder if you could even buy a diaper pin if you wanted to. With everyone going green, cloth diapers might make a comeback and the diaper pin too. After all, everything old is new again at some point.
On April 11, 1900, the United States acquired its first submarine, the Holland. It was designed by Irish immigrant John P. Holland. The sub was propelled by gasoline when on the surface and electricity when submerged. It served as a blueprint for modern submarine design. By World War I, the U.S. had a large fleet of naval vessels and they emerged as major weapons. Designs for underwater boats date back to the 1500s.
This coming week is the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, which took place between April 14 and 15 of 1912. Lillian Asplund was 5 years old when she was a passenger on the Titanic. She was the last of the survivors, having passed away at the age of 99. Her family just recently put a shoebox full of Titanic memorabilia up for auction. These artifacts are expected to sell for at least $300,000.
Charlie Chaplin’s silent movie “The Tramp” was released on this date in 1915. The Essanay Film Manufacturing Company was a motion picture studio in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, where Charlie Chaplin once worked.
The Sisters of St. Joseph will be holding their last rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 11 and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 12 at Lourdes Covent, 5531 S. Karlov Ave. There will be furniture and lots of odds and ends. Good luck, Sisters. I hope you are very happy in your new home.
A benefit for Floyd Colbert will be held at Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionnette Park, from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 19. Donations are $25 at the door. This includes a free buffet, draft beer, wine and soda, a silent auction, a split-the-pot raffle, and music.
Floyd was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer last September. This benefit is to help Floyd and his wife, Traci, pay mounting medical expenses. They have only been married since July 7, 2007. If you are unable to attend but would like to show your support, donations may be sent to the Floyd Colbert Benefit Fund c/o First Savings Bank of Hegewisch, 18207 Burnham Ave., Lansing, IL, 60438.
For more information, call Carol Krups at (708) 599-6257, Becky Krups at (708) 466-0058 or Gayle Janeczko-Krups at (708) 594-3015. The Bourbon Street Web site for the benefit is www.115bourbon.com/benefit_detail.asp?SpecEventsID=63.