Gazette Flashback
(April 24, 1997, Gazette)
25 years ago: Water Analysis Facility established
April 1972 -- A Water Analysis Facility will be operated in the Chemistry-Physics Building on a
trial basis. The facility is equipped to carry out a wide variety of tests on water samples. The use
is primarily for university departments and faculties, but the service will be available under
contract to government, and to private agencies under special arrangements. Dr. Niall Gogan,
Chemistry, is in charge of the new facility.
In other news, Paula Clarke of St. John's is awarded a Rothermere Fellowship for 1972-73. And
in sports news, the Newfoundland Division of the Canadian Amateur Synchronized Swimming
Association, in co-operation with the Department of Physical Education at Memorial, will host for
the first time the Canadian National Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships at the
university pool from June 30 to July 12.
20 years ago: Telemedicine project launched
On April 7, Memorial's telemedicine project was officially launched when a closed-circuit hookup
via the communications satellite Hermes, linked Ottawa, St. John's, Goose Bay, Labrador City,
St. Anthony, and Stephenville. Included in the hour and a half opening ceremonies was an
exchange of greetings by government, university, hospital, technical officials and guests assembled
at those points; a question and answer period concerning the project's capabilities; and a
description and demonstration of one of the kinds of programs that will be presented during the
12 week experimental period. Hermes is the world's most powerful transmitter orbiting in space,
making it possible to place small, portable and easily operated earth terminals in areas where
normally it would be difficult and expensive to install and maintain hardware. The 767 lb. satellite
has two antennae, radio controlled from a site just outside of Ottawa, and two solar sails which
always face the sun to collect solar energy. Hermes is estimated to have a two-year lifespan.