Historical Curiosities

There were many frauds in the scientific community, but this animal was no fraud.

Early settlers came to Australia and found many new and amazing creatures but this one was beyond understanding. It had the bill of a duck, a tail of a beaver, webbed feet, swam underwater, fur like a mammal and laid eggs like a bird, and poisonous spines on its legs. One specimen was bought back to England for study and the scientific community called it a hoax, manufactured from different animal parts, by Chinese taxidermists. The zoologist was finally able to bring back a live specimen and in 1802, it was finally labeled as a new species. What strange creature could it be?

If you think you know the answers then put them in the discussion area and next week we can see how many of you were right. Next column I will have the answers with links to each topic so you can explore the wonderful world of strange and mysterious science. While you are waiting for the answers, enjoy the links below on science history. Most of the sites require shockwave, which is available for download at the site. If you haven't gotten shockwave this is a good time to get the free download.

Albert Einstein The man who will forever be immortalized with E=mc2. Learn all about his life, discoveries, thoughts and quotes, and pictures you can use if you are doing a report.

A Science Odyssey What was science like, in the 1900s, compared to science today? Find out about early science, play games, read comic book stories on science history and learn about the people who helped forge the road for science as we know it.
Technology at Home Go back in time, from 1900 to 1998, and see how times have changed over the years. Each year is represented with information on how each item changed from the original 'ice box' to the refrigerator of today. Did you know that the first VCR was introduced into homes in 1976 and it cost $1,300? Learn more about when the technology in your home came into existence.

Museum of the History of Science Online exhibitions view science discoveries and technology of the past. Images and library of science manuscripts and text.

People Learn about the people who made science what it is today. From beginner to advanced levels; time periods cover the ancient eras to today,

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