Archive for February 2008
Dr. Mark E. Dean: The Face in the Computer
If there is one device that defines human civilization today, it’s the personal computer. No one can dispute how much the personal computer has revolutionized our lives, from increasing our productivity to spreading education to enhancing entertainment. We are riding the personal computer into the future on the backs of our iPods and iPhones and Read More »
Read MoreOn the Rebound: Answering Blogmail
A couple of days ago, I received the following comment from “Vman” in response to my blog about Dr. West , the co-inventor of the electret microphone used in almost 90% of all microphones built today: “Kareem, A question from my 10-year-old… So, Dr. West, ‘inventor of the microphone,’ invented it in 1962? How were Read More »
Read MoreWhy Black History Month?
A white friend of mine told me his 9-year-old son asked him, “If February is Black History Month, then when is White History Month?” My friend replied, “The other 11 months.” That’s why I take this opportunity to use my blog to promote some of the most notable and influential African-Americans in American history. As Read More »
Read MoreSlice ’em
I watched a mixed martial arts event this weekend featuring street fighting legend Kimbo Slice. It was a featured live event on cable and drew a huge live audience in Miami. This form of combat has eclipsed boxing at the box office and in the hearts of fight fans, and when I watch these events Read More »
Read MoreCharlotte E. Ray: Beyond the Law
Sometimes there’s a heavy price to be paid for being an innovator. The greater the innovation, the greater the price to be paid. This is especially true for African-American women innovators, who not only braved the cruelty of racism, but also the harshness of sexism. How hard it must have been to come home after Read More »
Read MoreA Fine Mess …
After watching part of the congressional hearings on drug and steroid use by professional athletes, I can only think of Oliver Hardy’s complaint to Stan Laurel in so many of their comedies — “It’s a fine mess you’ve gotten us into” — but this mess is neither fine nor funny. I have been a baseball Read More »
Read MoreCare & Maintenance of the Over-50 Athlete: Core Fitness
When I was a kid, most of the fathers over 50 would settle into their sofas at night with a beer and watch TV. Until the remote was invented (the first was in 1950, from Zenith, and it was appropriately named “Lazy Bones”), the most exercise a lot of dads got was getting up to Read More »
Read MoreDr. James West — Inventor of the Electret Microphone
In 1996, I published a book titled “Black Profiles in Courage.” It was my take on American history that included the contributions of black Americans. In so many of our history books, the efforts of black Americans go unrecognized. Since publishing that book, I’ve come across much more information that fits this profile. So, I’d Read More »
Read MoreBessie Coleman Helped Black Women Soar
The “friendly skies” of aviation have not always been that friendly to women pilots. Currently there are about 4,000 women airline pilots out of the nearly 80,000 male airline pilots. The first female airline pilot was Helen Richey, who was hired by Central Airlines in 1934. After only 10 months on the job, she resigned Read More »
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