June 8, 1909: SOS signal for the first time used as destress signal

June 8, 1909: When Cunard SS Slavonia Ship crashed in the Azores that's when the SOS signal is used for the first time to declare a State of emergency

The name of Cunard SS Slavonia Ship was taken from Abraham Cunard's name, an American loyalist of German.

SOS signal that was transmitted from SS Slavonia Ship when she crashed, was received by two steamers that passed near the crashed location. These steamers then saved passengers and crews of Cunard SS Slavonia

The first telegraph that sent from ships at sea to land station was also transmitted from Cunard liner Slavonia in 1904 and was operated by Medora Olive Newell (perhaps the first female telegraph operator on shipboard). She transmitted a birthday greeting for Emperor Franz Josef of Austria-Hungary as requested of Hungarian members of the Hague Peace Commission.

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1946 Great Crepitation Fart Contest

Not for the faint of heart, here is the remarkable 1946 Crepitation (Fart) Contest (part of the 1946 News Broadcasts Collection ). You'll enjoy the fart-off between champion Englishman Lord Windsmear, and challenger, Australian Paul Boomer who had stowed aboard a cabbage freighter. The hilarious comedy recording was apparently created a spoof by two Canadian radio sportscasters in 1946, but this 15 minute recording definitely has some gems in it. Apparently they made several copies, but it was not for distribution. The recording was copied again and again on disc and reel to reel tape. It was distributed underground and played in dark rooms and back alleys around the world. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element This recording is available with many other delightful treats on Random Rarities #7 available on MP3 CD , Audio CD , and instant download .

February 10: Happy Birthday, Jimmy Durante

February 10: Happy Birthday, Jimmy Durante Actor, personality, voice-over expert and owner of a famous "schnozzola," Jimmy Durante was born on this day in 1893. Jimmy's calling card was his raspy, urbane voice. He hosted the Durante-Moore Show with partner Garry Moore and went solo with The Jimmy Durante Show in 1947. "Dat's my boy dat said dat!" was a catchphrase on the first iteration of the program. Like many shows of the era, The Jimmy Durante Show featured comedy and music. Do you remember guest appearances by: Lucille Ball , Victor Moore, Bing Crosby , and Al Jolson ? After his radio career, Durante voiced the Narrator of the 1969 cartoon special "Frosty the Snowman." He died in Santa Monica on Jan. 29, 1980.

October 14, 1906 Benita Hume was born

On this day in 1906, Benita Hume was born.

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