Saturday, February 8, 2020

Wikipedia article of the day for February 9, 2020

The Wikipedia article of the day for February 9, 2020 is Adele Spitzeder.
Adele Spitzeder (9 February 1832 – 27 or 28 October 1895) was a German actress, folk singer, and confidence trickster. Initially a promising young actress, Spitzeder became a private banker in Munich when her theatrical success dwindled. Running what was possibly the first recorded Ponzi scheme, she offered large returns on investments by continually using the money of new investors to pay back the previous ones. At the height of her success, contemporary sources considered her the wealthiest woman in Bavaria, although she maintained the persona of a pious Christian woman who helped the poor. Brought to trial in 1872, she was convicted of bad accounting and mishandling customers' money, since Ponzi schemes were not yet illegal, and sentenced to three years in prison. In her later years, Spitzeder performed as a folk singer, living off friends and benefactors, but never completely left her criminal life, resulting in further trials and periods of incarceration.

Friday, February 7, 2020

Wikipedia article of the day for February 8, 2020

The Wikipedia article of the day for February 8, 2020 is Baden-Powell House.
Baden-Powell House is a Scouting hostel and conference centre in South Kensington, London. Built as a tribute to Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, it is owned by The Scout Association. The house was designed in 1956 in the modern architectural style by Ralph Tubbs, whose works included the Dome of Discovery, the highlight of the 1951 Festival of Britain. Olave Baden-Powell laid the foundation stone in 1959, and the building was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1961. A granite statue of Baden-Powell, sculpted by Don Potter, was unveiled at the opening. The building has been refurbished several times, and now provides lodging for Scouts, Girl Guides and the general public. A collection of Baden-Powell memorabilia formerly displayed at the site, including several first editions of his books and many of his drawings and letters, has been moved to the headquarters for Scouting in the UK at Gilwell Park.

U.S. Divided Over Chinese Drone Bans


By BY DAVID MCCABE from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/3boqUf4

The Week in Tech: Companies Make Their Pitch to the Police


By BY ADAM SATARIANO from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2UArobQ