50 Years Ago

Whether the United States Apollo programme will be delayed by the accident which killed the crew of the first spacecraft on January 27 is not yet known ... The past few months have been plagued by a number of technical troubles. The device in which the fire took place a week ago consisted of two of the three components of the spacecraft intended for the Moon ... Even so, it is by no means impossible that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will be able to land a man on the Moon before 1970 — the original target ... The next step in the programme, which need not be delayed by the accident a week ago, is to launch the Saturn V booster rocket ... This test will provide valuable information about the rocket system and will also help to test the efficiency of the heat shields on the Apollo system.

From Nature 4 February 1967

100 Years Ago

The frequent references to the necessity of introducing the decimal system which one reads in the public Press at present suggest some considerations which an experience of more than two years with the B.E.F. [British Expeditionary Force] has confirmed. It is surprising with what facility the average soldier becomes accustomed to French money. Everything out here is bought and paid for on the decimal system. The men and officers receive their pay in French money ... Here in France half a kilo is called a pound; a sou is called a halfpenny. There would be no need for us to change familiar names if we are lucky enough to adopt the decimal system ... The present opportunity is one which ought not to be missed.

From Nature 1 February 1917 Footnote 1