ON THIS DAY

1718:

James Puckle, a London lawyer, patents the world’s first machinegun.

Convicts seize the ship Harrington anchored in Sydney Harbour, and escape.

American Freeman Cobb arrives in Australia to set up stagecoach company.

Steamboat Willie, the first cartoon talking picture starring Mickey Mouse, is shown at the Colony Theatre in New York.

Royal Flying Doctor Service is inaugurated in Cloncurry, Queensland.

Nylon stockings go on sale for the first time in the United States.

The telecommunications tower on Canberra’s Black Mountain is officially opened.

Brian Eno, UK singer-songwriter (1948-); Lisa Curry Kenny, Australian swimmer (1962-); Andy Murray, Scottish tennis player (1987-)

1808: 1853: 1928: 1928: 1940: 1980: Birthdays: