The Other McCain

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Attending A Uniquely Cool School

Posted on | August 25, 2010 | 9 Comments

by Smitty

The Naval Academy has a special claim to fame among American schools, and it was an honor to attend. Thank you, taxpayers! It was here that Ensign Albert Michelson conducted experiments to determine the speed of light with reasonable accuracy, which informed the work of Albert Einstein. Should we name more sons Albert?

The Naval Academy has reclaimed land from the Severn River, so discs mark the line of site Michelson used:

Behind the spot where I took that disc picture is this bronze plaque:

There are around a bazillion great things about USNA, but this, for me, is the coolest. No ridicule about the last USNA grad to win the Nobel Prize, please.

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Comments

9 Responses to “Attending A Uniquely Cool School”

  1. Thrasymachus
    August 25th, 2010 @ 6:07 pm

    There is a street named after Michelson in Irvine, California. Didn’t he do some experiments there as well?

  2. Thrasymachus
    August 25th, 2010 @ 2:07 pm

    There is a street named after Michelson in Irvine, California. Didn’t he do some experiments there as well?

  3. The Maximum Leader
    August 25th, 2010 @ 6:29 pm

    The most recent USNA grad to win a Nobel Prize didn’t win one in a discipline where the prize still means something, like physics or chemistry.

  4. The Maximum Leader
    August 25th, 2010 @ 2:29 pm

    The most recent USNA grad to win a Nobel Prize didn’t win one in a discipline where the prize still means something, like physics or chemistry.

  5. Jack Okie
    August 25th, 2010 @ 7:06 pm

    The Michelson-Morley Experiment is one of the more elegant experiments in physics. I had no idea Michelson was a graduate of the USNA. I am now even more impressed with the Academy.

  6. Jack Okie
    August 25th, 2010 @ 3:06 pm

    The Michelson-Morley Experiment is one of the more elegant experiments in physics. I had no idea Michelson was a graduate of the USNA. I am now even more impressed with the Academy.

  7. Cool Travel images | Travelling Information Tips and Resources
    August 25th, 2010 @ 5:35 pm

    […] Attending A Uniquely Cool School : The Other McCain […]

  8. Erken
    August 25th, 2010 @ 11:08 pm

    “Mike” labs at Naval Weapons Center, China Lake (near Ridgecrest, CA) is named after him and has a great display of his prize and associated equipment.

  9. Erken
    August 25th, 2010 @ 7:08 pm

    “Mike” labs at Naval Weapons Center, China Lake (near Ridgecrest, CA) is named after him and has a great display of his prize and associated equipment.