02 August - Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray birth anniversary

 

Sir Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray (August 2, 1861 – June 16, 1944) was a distinguished Indian chemist, educator, and entrepreneur, widely regarded as the father of modern Indian chemistry. Born in Raruli-Katipara, now in Bangladesh, Ray pursued his higher education at the University of Edinburgh, where he earned his D.Sc. in chemistry. Upon returning to India, he joined the Presidency College in Kolkata as a professor of chemistry, where he made significant contributions to chemical research and education.

Ray is renowned for his discovery of the compound mercurous nitrite and for founding Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, India's first pharmaceutical company. His research work and publications, including the seminal "History of Hindu Chemistry," highlighted the rich scientific heritage of ancient India. A dedicated nationalist and social reformer, Ray actively supported the Swadeshi movement, promoting self-reliance and the use of indigenous products. His legacy continues to inspire scientists and educators, embodying the spirit of scientific inquiry and national pride.

The Royal Society of Chemistry honoured his life and work with the first ever Chemical Landmark Plaque outside Europe. He was the founder of Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, India's first pharmaceutical company. He is the author of A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century (1902). 

02 August - The Clay Street Hill Railroad begin operation in 1873

 

The Clay Street Hill Railroad, which later became known as the San Francisco Cable Car System, began operating the first cable car in San Francisco on August 2, 1873.

The cable car system was developed as a solution to the city's steep hills, which made it difficult for traditional horse-drawn streetcars to operate effectively. Andrew S. Hallidie, an engineer and inventor, designed the system and installed a system of cables beneath the street that would pull the cable cars along the tracks.

The first cable car route ran along Clay Street from Jones Street to Kearny Street in San Francisco. The success of this line led to the rapid expansion of the cable car system throughout the city, providing a reliable and efficient means of transportation for San Francisco residents and visitors.

Today, the San Francisco Cable Car System is not only a vital part of the city's public transportation network but also an iconic symbol of San Francisco. Tourists from around the world come to experience riding the historic cable cars and to enjoy the scenic views of the city's hills and landmarks.

02 August - The Tower Subway opened to the public in 1870

 

The Tower Subway was a short underground tunnel that ran beneath the River Thames in London, England, United Kingdom. It was designed to allow pedestrians to cross the river between Tower Hill on the north bank and Tooley Street on the south bank.

The Tower Subway opened to the public on August 2, 1870. It was an innovative engineering project for its time, using a cylindrical wrought-iron tube that was 7 feet in diameter to carry passengers through the tunnel. However, the project was not financially successful, and it faced various technical issues. As a result, it was later converted to carry water mains, and the pedestrian service was discontinued.

The world's first underground tube railway, commonly known as the London Underground or simply "the Tube," was the Metropolitan Railway, which opened on January 10, 1863. It operated on a steam locomotive system and ran between Paddington and Farringdon stations in London. The success of the Metropolitan Railway laid the groundwork for the development of the extensive London Underground network that exists today.