Teflon was discovered accidentally

Teflon is the trade name for polytetrefluoroethylene, which was discovered in 1938 by American chemist Roy J. Plunkett. He discovered the material accidentally while working to develop a non-toxic refrigerant from gaseous tetrafluoroethylene. Instead, he came up with a waxy white powder which indicated that the molecules polymerized or combined with each other.

Plunkett went on to develop a method for producing the powder commercially. Teflon was first used for producing gaskets and valves needed in the development of the atomic bomb. The first Teflon-coated muffin tins and frying pans were sold in 1960. Teflon is now used for artificial cornea, substitute bones for chin, nose, hip, and knee joints and other anatomical plants.

How did Pins Originate?

Pins, made of different materials are in use from the earliest times. The earliest form of pin would have been a thorn. Later, bones of fist or animals. We have ample evidence which shows that Neolithic man was already making pins of bronze.

Around 1000 B.C. there were pins in Europe which resemble today’s safety pins. The European pins were made of bronze. They were slender and could be present in such a way that the point was caught against the head.

At the end of the 15^th century, pins, as we know them, began to be manufactured. In those days they were considered very precious. The French people first made the modern type pins. Slowly, they spread to other parts other the world.

Yttrium- Moderately Hard Metallic Element

Yttrium is a moderately hard metallic element with a high melting point. It is found in nature in mineral ores such as godolinite euxite, and xenotime.

Yttrium is combined with other metals to make alloys useful in nuclear power plants, and it is used in color television tubes. In medicine, radioactive yttrium isotopes are used for cancer treatment. It is also used in optical and electronic equipment.

Yttrium was first found by J. Gadoiln in 1794, in ytterby, Sweden, but was not isolated in pure form until almost 50 years later.

What was the Pony Express?

‘Pony express’ was a kind of postal service. It provided for a fast postal service between two cities in America. It was run from April 1860 to October 1861. It was established by a freighting and stagecoach firm called ‘Russell, Majors and Waddell’ and was used only for letters. The charge was five dollars and an ounce.

Expert riders were chosen to ride fast horses which were charged six to eight times on the scheduled route.

Route of the pony express covered 1838 miles and included 157 stations. ‘Home stations’ providing food and a little rest to the riders were placed at distances of 75 to 100 miles. The time scheduled for the delivery was about 10 days.

Pony express service came to an end with the completion of the transcontinental telegraph line in October 1861.

Care for animals

Life is dear to a make creature as it is to a man. Even the lowliest insect strives for protection against dangers that threaten it life. Just as each one of us wants happiness and fears pain, just as each one of us wants to live and not die, so do all other creatures.

Whereas man can speak up and fight for his rights, animals cannot. And whereas we enjoy many facilities and rights, animals do not. They are the weaker section. They are the ones we should care for and be concerned about.

What are Food Chains?

Every living organism is involved in a food chain. For example, a snail eats leaves, a bird eats the snail, a cat eats the bird. Every food chain begins with some kind of plant. It is because plants are the only organisms which can make food by photosynthesis in the presence of sunlight.

Hence all animals are dependent on plants. Food chains are also known as energy chains, because it is through the various links in the chain that animals and human beings get their energy.

Improve yourself

The moment you decide to improve yourself in some specific way, you begin the process of becoming a better person.

If you dedicate yourself to the job of self-improvement, you will never be bored for lack of challenge, for want of adventure or for lack of opportunity.

It requires real insight, honesty and maturity to recognize areas needed improvement in yourself, it requires wisdom to do something about hose opportunities. You prove your wisdom by striving daily to improve yourself.

Invest your time in a regular programme of self-improvement and a personal ‘fountain of youth’ will be yours. Goethe advised: “To keep young, every day read a poem, hear a choice peace of music, view a fine painting and if possible, do a good action”.