January 13

1903: Granville Woods was issued a patent for an "Electric Railway System" of the type that "current for the car-motor is taken from working contacts or conductors along the road bed." 1906: Hugh Gernsback, of the Electro Importing Company, advertised radio receivers for sale for $8.50 in "Scientific American" magazine. 1920: A New York Times editorial proclaimed rockets can never fly. 1930: Sebastian de Ferranti, an electrical engineer who developed the first 10 kV (4x previous) transmission system and components, died. 1942: Henry Ford patented a plastic automobile, which allowed for a 30% decrease in car weight. 1942: The first use of an ejection seat to save a pilot was made by German test pilot Mr. Schenk. 2000: Microsoft chairman Bill Gates stepped aside as CEO and promoted company president Steve Ballmer to the position.