This Day in History

Considered from a McLuhanite viewpoint: TAE probably didn't consider that the phonograph would kill spontaneous group singing at social gatherings. 1878: Thomas Alva Edison patents the phonograph. Also: Heavy metal and gangster rap probably weren't on TAE's mind when he made this breakthrough. If memory serves, he was trying to get in touch with the spiritual world, not create demons.

One of the nastiest war events to read about. Other events have killed far more people, but this one is more like a horror movie. 1945:Â 900 Japanese soldiers reportedly killed by crocodiles in 2 days. The allies chased them into a swamp. That evening, drawn by the bloody wounds, the crocodiles went to work. The allies heard the Japanese screams all night.