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Arthur Oswin Austin (1879–1964) was an American electrical engineer and inventor. He is best known as the inventor of the Austin transformer, used to supply power for lighting circuits on radio towers. Austin's work included improvements to radio transmission equipment and the effects of lightning on high-voltage transmission lines and aircraft. He was a fellow of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and of the Institute of Radio Engineers, and was known as an expert in high-voltage insulators and fittings. His work on transmitting antennas included both military and civilian projects. Born in California, Austin graduated from Stanford University with a degree in electrical engineering. He spent most of his adult life in Ohio where he worked for the Ohio Brass Company and founded the Austin Insulator Company. He bought a large estate in Barberton, Ohio, lived in the mansion, and built an extensive outdoor electrical laboratory on the grounds. (Full article...)

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Did you know ...

La Nube

... that the children's museum La Nube (pictured) includes a bus-washing exhibit?
... that German national Rico Krieger was likely forced by the Belarusian KGB to lie in a state-televised plea titled "Confession of a German Terrorist"?
... that although the electrification of the Midland Main Line was designated as a high priority in 1981, work to electrify the northern part of the line did not begin until more than 30 years later?
... that Huang Shaoqiang produced numerous paintings condemning the Japanese invasion of China?
... that the 2019 single "Trust Issues" by Drake was originally released in 2011 as a free download?
... that the 2003 graphic novel The Life Eaters, presenting an occult-driven, hypothetical Axis victory in World War II, has been discussed in the context of its portrayal of The Holocaust?
... that Mali and Niger broke off diplomatic relations with Ukraine over the country's alleged support for rebel groups in the Battle of Tinzaouaten?
... that Olympic gold-medal-winning rugby player Jordan Sepho vomited from stress the first time he played?
... that a viral dance in which performers mimic driving a car was performed by #Amishtiktok content creators, who substituted operating a horse and buggy?

In the news

Gukesh Dommaraju

The Chess Olympiad (best individual player Gukesh Dommaraju pictured) concludes with India winning both the open and women's events.
Explosions of electronic devices used by Hezbollah members kill at least 42 people and injure thousands of others in Lebanon and Syria.
Severe flooding in central Europe leaves at least 25 people dead and 11 others missing, with several towns submerged.
Amid widespread protests, Mexico ratifies constitutional changes that will see the federal judiciary chosen by popular vote.

On this day

September 23: Celebrate Bisexuality Day

Concordat of Worms

1122 – Pope Callixtus II and Holy Roman emperor Henry V agreed the Concordat of Worms (pictured), ending the Investiture Controversy.
1642 – First English Civil War: The Battle of Powick Bridge, the first engagement between the primary field armies of the Royalists and the Parliamentarians, ended in a Royalist victory.
1884 – The French steamship Arctique ran aground on the northern coast of Cape Virgenes in Argentina; gold was discovered during the rescue effort, triggering the Tierra del Fuego gold rush.
1920 – The Louisiana hurricane dissipated over Kansas after forcing around 4,500 people to evacuate and causing $1.45 million in damages.
2010 – Teresa Lewis became the first woman to be executed by the U.S. state of Virginia since 1912, and the first woman in the state to be executed by lethal injection.

Augustus (b. 63 BC)
Sir Richard Hughes, 1st Baronet (d. 1779)
Émilie Gamelin (d. 1851)
Zdenko Blažeković (b. 1915)

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From today's featured list

Emmanuel Adebayor

Emmanuel Adebayor scored 32 international goals during his career as a forward for the Togo national football team, making him the country's all-time top scorer. Born in the capital city of Lomé, Adebayor represented Togo in 87 FIFA-recognised matches between 2000 and 2019. He made his international debut against Zambia in July 2000 and scored his first goal two years later against Mauritania at the Stade de Kégué. Adebayor's only international hat-trick came against Swaziland (now Eswatini) in October 2008, in which he scored four goals during a match in Accra, Ghana. Adebayor represented Togo at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, the country's only appearance in the tournament as of 2024, and he played in several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. He scored his last goal for Togo during his final appearance in a 2–1 defeat against neighbouring Benin in March 2019. Adebayor is revered as a Togolese sporting legend and is often regarded as one of the best African players of his generation. (Full list...)

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Anemone hepatica is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to woodland in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Traditional herbal medicine claimed that it was useful in the treatment of liver disorders, hence its name (from Greek hepatikos, 'of the liver'). This photograph shows the flowers of two A. hepatica varieties, blue (common) and pink (rare), growing in a forest in Keila, Estonia. The picture was focus-stacked from 29 separate images.

Photograph credit: Ivar Leidus

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