On This Day February 29

Christopher Columbus found himself anchored off the coast of Jamaica with dwindling rations due to uncooperative locals who refused to trade. Consultation of his Zacuto almanac revealed an upcoming lunar eclipse on February 29, 1504. seizing this astronomical knowledge, Columbus gathered the Jamaican chiefs and asserted that, unless they provided him with sustenance, he possessed the ability to obscure the moon. 

Columbus predicts lunar eclipse to the natives

Initially met with laughter, the chiefs were soon alarmed as the eclipse unfolded. Fearing the celestial disturbance, the frightened natives pleaded with Columbus to restore the moon, promising to fulfill his demands in return.

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On This Day February 16

On February 16, 1937, the du Pont company patented their synthetic textile fiber calling it nylon. The letters "nyl" were arbitrary and the "on" was copied from the suffixes of other fibers such as cotton and rayon. One of the first products to be made with this new material was a new type of toothbrush- Dr. West's miracle toothbrush with nylon bristles. Other early uses were for fishing lines and surgical sutures.

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