May 06

Designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel as the entrance arch to the 1889 Universal Exposition, the Eiffel Tower commemorated the centennial of the French Revolution. At 324 meters tall, it became the tallest man-made structure in the world and a marvel of iron architecture. Initial reactions in Paris were mixed, with some criticizing its bold design. Over the course of the exposition, it attracted millions of visitors and demonstrated the potential of modern engineering. After the fair, the tower was almost dismantled but was saved due to its usefulness as a radio transmission tower. It has since become an enduring symbol of Paris and one of the most visited landmarks in the world.

On May 6, 1941, the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, designed by aeronautical engineer Alexander Kartveli, took to the skies for the first time. Powered by a robust Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine, the P-47 quickly earned a reputation for durability and heavy firepower. Its thick airframe and eight .50-caliber machine guns made it a formidable adversary in air-to-air combat and ground-attack missions. Throughout World War II, the Thunderbolt provided critical close air support, escorting bombers deep into enemy territory. The aircraft's impressive performance and reliability solidified its place as a key asset in the Allied victory. The P-47 remained in service with several air forces well into the postwar years.

On May 6, 1949, the Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC) executed its first program at the University of Cambridge’s Mathematical Laboratory. Designed by Maurice Wilkes and his team, EDSAC was among the earliest computers to store instructions electronically in memory. Its initial task computed a table of square numbers, demonstrating the feasibility of rapid digital computation. EDSAC’s success paved the way for subsequent generations of stored-program machines and influenced computer design worldwide. The project highlighted the potential of computers in scientific research, engineering, and beyond. EDSAC remained in operation until 1958, training a generation of pioneering programmers.

On May 6, 1998, Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs unveiled the original iMac, marking a bold step in computer design. Sporting a translucent, candy-colored exterior and eliminating the floppy disk drive, the iMac challenged industry norms. Its all-in-one form factor combined the monitor and CPU into a sleek, minimalist package that captured consumer imagination. The iMac's USB-only port design pushed peripherals into a new standard, accelerating the transition to modern connectivity. This launch revitalized Apple's brand and set the stage for future innovations like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

On May 6, 2002, entrepreneur Elon Musk established Space Exploration Technologies Corp., known as SpaceX, in Hawthorne, California. His vision was to reduce space transportation costs and enable the colonization of Mars through reusable rockets. SpaceX started with ambitious goals, including developing the Falcon 1 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft. Despite early launch failures, the company persevered, achieving milestones like the first privately funded liquid-fueled rocket to reach orbit. SpaceX has since transformed the aerospace industry with reusable boosters and commercial crew missions.