ON THIS DAY

1762: George IV, eldest son of the insane George III, was born. But he did little to enhance the crown, being too fond of wine and women. 1774: Robert Southey, Poet Laureate and historian, was born in Bristol. 1881: Cecil B De Mille, producer and director of epic films such as The Ten Commandments, was born in Ashfield, Mass. 1887: Thomas Edison made the first sound recording when he recited Mary Had A Little Lamb which was recorded on to a foil-wrapped cylinder on the Edisonphone. 1908: The first Model T Ford, affectionately known as the “Tin Lizzie”, came off the production line, replacing the Model A. 1925: Norris and Ross McWhirter, British twins who founded the Guinness Book Of Records, were born. After the Bible, it is the bestselling book in the world. Ross McWhirter was murdered by the IRA in 1975. 1944: Pluto, the ‘’pipeline under the ocean’’, began operating, transporting fuel from England to Allied troops in France. 1964: Ian Fleming, the bestselling author and creator of James Bond, died. 1990: The largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton was discovered by Sue Hendrickson in South Dakota. 2012: The Summer Olympics closing ceremony took place in London. BIRTHDAYS: George Soros, financier, 85; Michael Brunson, political broadcaster, 75; Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits singer/ guitarist, 66; Tanita Tikaram, singer/ songwriter, 46; Pete Sampras, tennis legend, 44; Casey Affleck, actor, 40; Djibril Cisse, footballer, 34; Mario Balotelli, footballer, 25. QUOTES OF THE DAY: “A woman at Starbucks on George Street, Edinburgh, has just taken out all her teeth and left them on the sideplate while she goes to the loo. She has not left the teeth unattended. Her grandson is guarding them” - Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth tweets some fascinating information. “Go, if you believe that one beautifully, thoughtfully poetically created mouthful is worth an entire bottle of inferior quality. Above all, go if, like me, you believe that wine is the soul of every meal” - Actress Emma Thompson, apparently a wine expert, warns visitors invited to her home not to arrive with a cheap bottle of plonk. “If Huw Edwards or Evan Davis had identical twin sisters they wouldn’t be reading the news or presenting Newsnight. I’m not saying they’re both ugly. It’s just a fact, particularly in light entertainment, that it’s all about pretty girls in the front row” - TV’s Anne Robinson. “They are the scariest bunch of people I have ever seen assembled in one place” - Broadcaster Jeremy Vine, who is to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, on the show’s judging team.