Smile of the Day Sunday, November 8, 2020

Sunday November 8, 2020 Smile for the Day: X-Rays

On This Day:

In 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen produces and detects electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range today known as X-rays or Röntgen rays.

First, a Story:

What did the photochemist say to the radiation physicist?

Can you shed some light on this matter?

Second, a Song:

What could be the musical equivalent to Röntgen or X-Rays?  Electric Light of course!

Xanadu is the soundtrack of the 1980 musical film of the same name, featuring the Australian singer Olivia Newton-John and the British group Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It was released in June 1980 on MCA Records in the United States and July 1980 by Jet Records in the United Kingdom. The original LP release featured on side one the songs of Newton-John, and on side two the songs of ELO. 

Although the film was a critical and commercial disappointment, the soundtrack was a worldwide success and received positive reviews from music critics going double platinum in the US and Canada. The hit singles “Magic” and “Xanadu”, peaked at number one in the United States and United Kingdom, respectively. Both singles also went to number one in the Netherlands and Italy, respectively. It was the 5th most popular US soundtrack in 1981. (Wikipedia).

Here is the Electric Light Orchestra live performing Xanadu.  I love seeing how Jeff Lynne’s fans react to his and ELO’s live rendition of Xanadu. Their interaction is radioactive!

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV679RYQoCw)

Thought for the Day:

“The radiation left over from the Big Bang is the same as that in your microwave oven but very much less powerful. It would heat your pizza only to minus 271.3*C – not much good for defrosting the pizza, let alone cooking it.” – Stephen Hawking

Have a great day!

© 2020 David J. Bilinsky and Colleen E. Bilinsky