1988
The Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Where Silence Has Lease” first airs. (No. 202) In it, the Enterprise is ensnared in a mysterious “hole” in space, controlled by a malevolently curious space-faring life form. When the alien becomes intrigued by the concept of death, he informs Captain Picard that he intends to kill half of the crew to test the different ways to die. Memory Alpha entry
1996
Aboard the NASA Space Shuttle Columbia, astronauts Tammy Jernigan and Thomas Jones are prevented from taking a spacewalk when a hatch fails to open. (STS-80) “I’m pushing as hard as I can,” Jones said. “It just doesn’t seem to want to move,” Jernigan agreed. The malfunction will later be blamed on a loose screw.
1997
The website of the Local 2609, The United Steelworkers of America is hacked by “Magica de Bin”.
2000
Bidding on eBay for item number 507007174 for “The Ultimate Video Game Library!” closes at US$70,000. The winning bidder is listed as “skahcpunk” and the auction was created by baybuy1@aol.com.
Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) introduces the PlayStation 2 in the US. The system features a 294.912MHz processor, a single analog DualShock2 controller, two memory card slots, two USB ports, one i-Link (IEEE 1394) port, and a 128-bit Emotion Engine graphics processor. The system is backwards compatible with PlayStation games and supports CD-ROM, Dolby Digital, DTS, DVD-ROM, and DVD-Video media. Price: ₤300 Weight: 5lb
2001
An onboard computer guides a helicopter through a roll without help from a human for the first time. The system was developed by a team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), based on an analysis of actual pilot maneuvers. The feat marks a major milestone towards the creation of automated aircraft. Read more at the Times Higher Education.
The Star Trek: Enterprise episode “Cold Front” first airs. (No. 111) In it, Archer finds out that a crewman on Enterprise is involved the Temporal Cold War against the Suliban and their mysterious benefactor. Memory Alpha entry
2006
Nintendo announces that it has sold over six hundred thousand Wii video game consoles in the eight days since its launch in the Americas. Along with accessories and games, Wii-related revenue has reached US$190 million.
Xandros Incorporated releases version 4.1 of the Xandros operating system. Visit the system’s official website.
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