Hard to imagine now, the Aerial Derby in London was an incredibly popular aerial race that had millions of people looking up at the London sky every year. Starting in 1912, it featured many well-known figures in the world of aviation. Some of these were Bert Hinkler, the “Australian Lone Eagle”, who was the first to fly solo from England to Australia, and Tom Sopwith, founder of Sopwith and Hawker. Despite its popularity, however, it was only active for eight years, stopping after disputes over venues and withdrawal of major sponsors. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here