50 Years Ago

The discovery that some errors of sexual development and other congenital defects in man were associated with karyotypic abnormalities has aroused considerable interest, and research in this field is growing rapidly ... Various systems of numbering of the chromosomes have been used by different research groups, making the comparison of their results difficult. A meeting with the object of trying to devise an agreed nomenclature was therefore arranged by Dr. T. T. Puck, of the University of Colorado, and held in Denver during April 9–11 ... A system was agreed on and a statement embodying it and other information relating to the identification of human mitotic chromosomes has been published (Lancet, i, 1063; 1960) ... It is hoped that the proposed standard system will be generally adopted, and that any who may prefer to use another scheme will refer to the proposed system and show clearly in what way their own system differs.

From Nature 22 October 1960

100 Years Ago

Fellows of the Zoological and other scientific societies, museum officials and others, are warned against an individual representing himself as a consumptive and asking for a recommendation to a hospital and temporary help. The modus operandi is to call upon you with a bogus introduction from another fellow of your society or someone known to you, and to mention a few other well-known persons as interested in his case. The individual is rather tall, thin, of wan appearance, and has a dark moustache. His manner shows some refinement and education, and is also persuasive, as proved by the number of those known to have, unfortunately, been victimised by his false representations.

From Nature 20 October 1910