Moments in Time: First Microwave Oven
The History Channel
On Oct. 23, 1964, French existentialist philosopher and writer Jean-Paul Sartre published a letter in the newspaper Le Figaro to explain why he didn't want to accept the Nobel Prize for Literature that he'd been awarded the day before, stating he didn't wish to take sides in the East and West struggle of the Cold War by accepting an award given by Western institutions.
On Oct. 24, 1926, the world famous escape artist Harry Houdini, though ill with a high fever, cold sweats and pain, gave what would be his last performance at the Garrick Theater in Detroit, Michigan. Immediately afterward, he was rushed to a local hospital, where he died a week later on Halloween.
On Oct. 25, 1955, Tappan sold the first microwave oven, a large, 220-volt model priced at $1,295. Only 34 units were produced that year, and didn't sell well. But by 2000, the ovens could be found in 90% of American homes.
On Oct. 26, 1977, the last natural case of smallpox was discovered in Merca District, Somalia. Three years later, the World Health Organization declared the disease eradicated. To date it remains the sole infectious disease to have achieved that distinction.
On Oct. 27, 2013, singer-songwriter Lou Reed died at the age of 71 from a liver-related illness. The Velvet Underground frontman had undergone a liver transplant and was known for his heavy alcohol and drug use.
On Oct. 28, 2011, British Commonwealth leaders unanimously agreed that female heirs to the throne would be equal in the rules of succession. The previous rules, in place for over three centuries, had decreed that first-born sons had the right to the throne, while daughters would only inherit the monarchy if no sons had been born or survived. It was also agreed to lift the ban barring British monarchs from marrying Roman Catholics.
On Oct. 29, 1982, Lindy Chamberlain was found guilty of the murder of her 9-week-old daughter, Azaria, after a jury dismissed her claim that a wild dingo actually took the baby during a family camping trip.
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