May 24

1543: Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, who published proof of a sun-centered solar system, died. 1544: William Gilbert, the "father of electrical studies," coiner of the names of electric attraction, electric force, and magnetic poles, was born. 1844: Samuel Morse transmitted the message, "What hath God wrought?" from the U.S. Supreme Court room Washington D.C. to the Mount Clare station of the B&O Railroad. 1883: After 14 years of construction, the Brooklyn Bridge was opened to traffic. 1938: A U.S. patent was awarded for the coin-controlled parking meter. 1960: The first successful American surveillance satellite, Midas 2, was launched. 1962: Astronaut Scott Carpenter became the 2nd American to orbit the Earth as he flew aboard Aurora 7. 1964: Alan Hazeltine, inventor of the "neutrodyne" receiver that eliminated squeaks and howls of early radio receivers, died.