Interesting Facts in the History of Communication

• 50% of the world population will never make a phone call.
• Novelest William Gibson coined the term “cyberspace” in his 1984 novel, Neuromancer
• Early computers took up 1,000 square ft. of floor space.
• The 1st commercially successful minicomputer sold for $18,000 1965.
• 1450 Johann Gutenburg invents a printing press with movable type
• 1839 invention of photography allows images to be recorded and printed
• 1877 Development of the phonograph allows sound to be recorded and preserved.
• 1889 Moving picture technology is invented.
• 1896 Guglielmo Marconi develops the wireless radio.
• 1928 Motion pictures with sound are introduced.
• 1965 The first international telecommunications satillite is launched (Intelsat)
• 1969 ARPANET computer network lays the foundation for the internet
• 1971 E-mail is invented and used on ARPANET
• 1973 1st international connection to ARPANET
• 1976 Apple introduces the 1st personal computer
• 1981 1st modem developed to transfer data (300 bps)
• 1990 WWW prototype created
• 1994 Yahoo Internet Index Created
• 1995 Dial-up Internet access is available in American households
• 1995 1st television program delivered over the Internet
• 2005 Blogs (Web Logs) gain prominence and influence in news coverage
• 2006 Podcasting emerges as a news source

Data from United States Department of State, Department of Public Affairs. November 2006.

Update on Musk Thistle

Above- "a thistle free no-till wheat field" in Major County, Oklahoma.

A recent article in a local newspaper explained that it is illegal for landowners to permit Musk Thistle, Carduus nutans from growing on their properties. According to the article, fines can be up to $1,000 day. The article also claims that the various forms of control generally produce the same effects of eradication.

Musk Thistle: Natural History and Management

Musk Thistle or Nodding Thistle (Carduus nutans) belongs to the sunflower family (Asteraceae). This species is a biennial generally requiring two years to complete its life cycle. These flowers are native to Europe and Asia, but are now a common agricultural pest throughout the United States and much of southern Canada. Musk Thistle was introduced to North America in 1853. Throughout most of its range C. nutans is considered a noxious weed, but is sometimes cultivated in gardens for its showy flowers.


Musk thistle management consists of mechanical, chemical, and biological control methods. Mowing and hoeing tend to be expensive. Herbicide control has been effective and is probably the most common. Several biological control methods have been successfully implemented using insects including: the Thistle Head Weevil (Rhinocyllus conicus), Musk Thistle Rosette Weevil (Trichosirocalus horridus), Musk Thistle Flower Fly (Cheilosia corydon), and the Musk Thistle Leaf Beetle (Phylliodes chalcomera).


References:

Boldt, P. E., and J. A. Jackman. 1993. Establishment of Rhinocyllus conicus Froelich on Carduus macrocephalus in Texas. Southwestern Entomologist 18(3): 173-181.

Cory, V. L. 1940. Six thistles recently introduced into Texas. Madrono 5: 200-201.

Department of Entomology. 2003. Biological control of weeds in Texas. http://bc4weeds.tamu.edu/weeds/rangeland/muskthistle.html.

Jackman, J. A., P. Boldt, J. W. Stewart and T. W. Fuchs. 1992. Biological Control of Musk Thistle in Texas. L-5067. Biological Pest Control. Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX.