Melvin Porter (melpor)
Joined 10 years ago from New Jersey, USA
Contact Melvin Porter
Melvin is an avid reader and a retired scientist (chemist) with 35 years of experience. Besides chemistry he also has an interest in math, medicine, astronomy, human genetics and the American civil war.
His goal on hubpages is to share his scientific knowledge and to explain scientific information to others in a non-scientific manner. Occasionally, he will write a few hubs on other topics besides science primarily to earn money. After all, that is his secondary goal for writing on Hubpages.
He is also an amateur artist and his art work was once critiqued while he was a teen by the late well-known, American artist Norman Rockwell.
He also enjoys cruising in the Caribbean during the summer with his family and on his own time he enjoys watching lots of science fiction movies, namely, The Matrix, The Time Machine, Star Wars, just to name a few.
Hubpages Accomplishments:
1. Two hubs received "Editor's Choice" status.
Are Extraterrestrial Life Really Visiting Us?
Have aliens from another world visited us? There are no evidence that show any indications of such visits. What started this delusion that extraterrestrials are visiting us?
The Defenses of Washington During the Civil War
During the American civil war Washington was protected from invading Confederate armed forces by more than three dozen forts strategically positioned along the perimeter of the Union capital.
Space Exploration: We Need To Travel Near The Speed of Light For It To Be Practical
Space exploration is the next step for mankind. But if we really want to send a probe or even humans out into the cosmos we are going to have to design a craft capable of near light speed velocity.
Interesting Earth Facts By The Numbers
A compilation of interesting, numerical facts about planet Earth in one place. Facts such as the speed of the earth's rotation, it speed as it orbits the Sun, hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded, and much more.
World Population Growth through Time
The world population is currently hovering around 7 billion and will continue to grow in the years to come. It took about 250,000 years as modern humans to reach this number.
Common Dog Health Problems Caused by Selective Breeding
A look at what selective breeding has done to the health of dogs and a brief history of selective breeding of dogs.
The First Week of the American Civil War
When the first shots of the war were fired upon Fort Sumter; the war quickly escalates for both sides in the first seven days of it. Everyone knew then that this was not going to be a quick war.
Causes of the Civil War
The five main events that led the United States into a civil war that will last for four years from 1861 to 1865.
Examples of Mimicry In Animals To Appear As Plants
Mimicry in insects is a fairly common way for them to avoid predators and to obtain a meal for survival. Many insects, especially the praying mantis, have evolved some of the most elaborate mimicries.
The Rivalry Between Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke
Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke were constantly at each other throat. Hooke accused Newton of plagiarism and stealing his ideas. In the end one gain fame and the other went in obscurity for their work.
The Probability of Coming Into Existence, As You, Is Extremely Small
This is a very interesting look at the odds of you existing, as you, in this world. In fact, it is virtually zero based on the probability of a series of events that must occur for you to exist.
Table Salt, the World's First Precious Commodity
Salt is the most used commodity in the world because all animal life depends on it. In ancient times it was considered to be more valuable than gold as a trade commodity during peak demand for it.
The Chemical Names of Common Everyday Substances
The chemical name of water and other common substances are examined, specifically their IUPAC name, to remove the perception that dangerous sounding chemical names are not as dangerous as they sound.
History of Light Bulbs for Home Lighting
A quick look at the evolution of the home lightbulb from the late 1800s to the present. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of lightbulb is discussed and how each type produces light.
The Bristol Brabazon, the Largest Passenger Aircraft Ever Built Before the 1950s
Bristol Brabazon was once the largest airliner ever built during the late 1940s. It was built to accommodate the wealthy during transatlantic flights with luxurious amenities found on cruise ships.
Robert Koch: A Biography of a Scientist Series
Robert Koch brought the study of infectious diseases into the modern era during the late nineteenth century. The emerging field of science was called bacteriology which made our life healthier.
Geology & Atmospheric Science
Benjamin Franklin: A Biography of a Scientist Series
Benjamin Franklin was more than a statesman and one of the "Founding Fathers of the United States. He also was a self-taught scientist whose contributions to science still affect our lives today.
Michael Faraday: A Biography of A Scientist Series
Michael Faraday is called the father of electricity because of his significant contribution to the study of the physical and chemical properties of electricity. This biography goes into the detail of his life as chemist at the Royal Institution in England.
How Does a Glucose Meter Work?
A glucose meter or glucometer makes it possible for someone with diabetes to check and maintain their blood glucose while on the go or right in their home. What happens when blood is placed on the glucose blood test strip to determine the level of glucose in the blood?
owlcation.com
The Heart as an Endocrine Gland
The heart does more than pump blood. It is also an endocrine gland that secretes hormones called natriuretic peptides to control blood volume and pressure by targeting receptors in the kidneys.
Being a Scientist Is Cool
Being a scientist is cool and the job is rewarding. Forget the geeky, eccentric, and nerdy images of a scientist. Even some of the cheerleaders of the NFL are scientists. Checkout the included video.
How to Find Stars Using Astronomy Star Charts
How to explore the night sky the old way by using star charts instead of computer softwares. You will enjoy this fascinating hobby more by using the traditional method to find important stars.
pethelpful.com
A Geological Study of the Titanic Shipwreck Site
An examination of the Titanic shipwreck site from a geological perspective. What been happening in the area around the shipwreck since it hit the North Atlantic ocean floor more than 100 years ago.
Titanic Size Comparison to Modern Cruise Ships
How big was the Titanic? In its day it was one of the largest ships ever built. It wasn't until almost 100 years later that the Titanic was dwarfed by cruise ships.
Global Warming Is Real: The Before And After Pictures
Before and after photos of locations around the world show strong evidence of global warming. The photos speak for themselves on this worldwide phenomena.
Pictures of Abraham Lincoln and His Family
A look at Lincoln's family through significant photos taken by the Alexander Garder and Mathew Brady throughout his life from his time before becoming the 16th U.S.president, during his presidency with his family and finally of his funeral.
Speeding on the Road Does Not Save that Much Time: A Mathematical Analysis
Speeding, do you really save any time when you go a few miles over the posted speed limits on the highways. The answer will surprise you when you look at it mathematically unless you are driving a lot further than 100 miles.
Biological Differences Between Men and Women
Everyone know about the physical differences between mean and women. But why are they different anatomically? The answer lies just below our skin in our blood and other cells in the body.
Probes That Landed Successfully On Mars
Mars is the most explored planet in our Solar System for obvious reasons . More than 30 probes were sent between the Soviet and USA to Mars and only 8 landed successfully on the surface.
The Cahaba Civil War Prison, The Prison With a Compassionate Warden
Prisoners at the Cahaba Prison had the highest survival rate among all the Civil War prisons on both sides of the war. Only 147 men died there during their imprisonment.
The Consequences of An Ever Growing World Population
The world's human population just recently surpassed the 7 billion mark and is still growing, albeit rather slowly to the next billion mark. What are the consequences future population will face while the world slowly shrinks and space becomes more limited.
The Size of Our Sun Compared to the Biggest Stars in the Milky Way Galaxy
In this article, you will find a comparison of the Sun's size with the largest stars in the Milky Way. You will really be surprised how big some of these stars are with respect to the Sun or how small the Sun is to them.
The State of the Union Before The Civil War: North Versus South
A comparison of the North and South during 1861 on the eve of the American Civil War as seen from a numerical perspective.
How To Calculate What Your Gold Jewelry Is Worth
Step by step calculation to determine how much that tangled, pile of jewelry in your drawer is worth. You will have a pretty good idea how much you should get before making a trip to the dealer.
Search for Life in Outer Space
Are We Alone In The Universe? Evidence Seems to Indicate That We Probably Are
When viewed with scientific facts and evidence gathered over the last few decades many scientists now believe we are probably alone in the universe for all practical purposes. Here we are taking about intelligence life capable of conscious, independent thought with the ability to communicate...
Medicine & Health Science
Some Facts About E. Coli Bacteria
The E Coli bacteria is a very common bacteria in our life. It is both a beneficial and a deadly bacteria to us depending on where you found it and where it comes from.
The Radioactive Polonium In Tobacco Leaves
For fifty years the tobacco industry have known that cigarettes contain a dangerous isotope called Polonium 210. Knowing this fact the industry could have easily removed it but they did nothing and allow it to remain in the cigarettes exposing millions of smokers to this deadly radioactive material.
howtheyplay.com
When Women Ruled Baseball: The AAGPBL
Men were not the only ones to play professional baseball in the early years of the sport. A women's league was started during World War II to keep the sport going while the boys were away.
The Opossum: How Did This Marsupial Ended Up In North American
The opossum is a rather strange animal considering the fact that it is a marsupial in North American. It is the only one of it kind there. Why and how did it end up being the sole marsupial there while the others are in Australia.
The Anatomical Structure Of The Human Body Is A Product of Evolution
The human body shows evidence of evolution with features passed down from lower animals. Why do we have hiccups, an appendix or why boys and men have hernias? It is all because of evolution.
Phobias And Their Meaning From Sunrise To Sunset
An informative article about some phobias that sufferers might experience from sunrise to sunset.
The American Civil War Big Guns
The American Civil War is noted for the many types of weapons used during the war, especially the big guns. These guns were capable sending a projectile up to three miles away.
Why Is Water Important For Life To Exist In The Universe
From a biological and chemical perspective water is a very important ingredient for life to exist on Earth because of its unique properties. Most likely if there are life else where in the universe water is probably the main component that make its possible for life to exist out there. There is no...
Music Favorites & Top 10 Lists
Lisa Fisher, Sade, and Lisa Stansfield: My Favorite 80's Female Music Artists
A brief look at three popular R&B singers from the 80s and 90s. There is a video of their signature song included that made them popular at the time. Read and enjoy the video.
Is Time Travel Possible?
Is it possible to travel through time? Perhaps it will be in the future, but a lot of technological hurdles must be overcome before time travel can become a real possibility.
The Manhattan Project: the Important Role Silver Played In the Building of the Atomic Bomb
The Manhattan Project needed tons of silver to produce the uranium to make an atomic bomb. The Treasury loaned about 28 million pounds of silver to the project and got every bit of it back in the end.
History of Fashion
The History of Levi Strauss Jeans
The history of jeans or denims goes as far back as the sixteenth century Europe, but it was the California Gold Rush of 1849 that started the evolution of pants in American.
Traditional Wedding Anniversary Gifts For Each Year From One To Ten
Suggested list of traditional wedding anniversary gifts for the first ten years to help you decide what gifts to buy your spouse.
The Naica Crystal Caves in Mexico
The Crystal Caves in Mexico are most usually caves in the world. These are the hottest caves and contain some of the largest crystal formation of any cave in the world. Unfortunately, these beautiful caves will disappear soon.
The History Of Designer Handbags
Brief history of three of the most popular designer handbag makers; Coach, Dooney & Bourke and B. Makowsky. You will be surprised how these makers got started.
The 1945 Plane Crash at the Empire State Building
The Twin Towers were not the first buildings in New York City to be hit by aircrafts. The Empire State Building was hit by an airplane accidentally in 1945. This is the story of that incident.
Oil Well Drilling: Explained
Drilling for oil is a difficult, time-consuming, and expensive process. In the years to come this process will not get any easier because most of the oil drilling is now done in deep waters. In the long run the price of oil will continue to increase because the dwindling supply of oil in the ground.
Famous American Civil War Horses
Horses played a critical role during the American Civil War, especially for the generals sitting on them. Some generals had several favorite horses during war. A few of the key players such as Lee, Grant, and Sherman, are mentioned here with the names of their most popular horses.
Body Armor Vest In The American Civil War
Police officers and soldiers routinely use bulletproof vests today as added protection while on duty. This life saving garment has been around since the dawn of war. Believe it or not it was even used during the American Civil War.
caloriebee.com
There Is Cholesterol in Some Plants
Plants do have a very small amount of cholesterol in them. However, the small amount of cholesterol compounds found in them are beneficial to us.
Left-Handed Myths And Facts
Why do people throw spilled salt over their left shoulder and why is the wedding band worn on the left hand? You will found the answers to these questions and more myths and facts about lefties.
soapboxie.com
What Did US Presidents Do Before Assuming Office?
Do you sometimes wonder what our past presidents did in their early years before becoming President of the United States? From George Washington to Gerald Ford, let's take a look at what 13 of our past presidents did before assuming office.
Home Schooling & Life Experience Education
Nineteenth Century & Victorian History
Major Henry Rathbone's Life After Lincoln's Assassination
Henry Rathbone's life would forever change after the assassination of President Lincoln at Ford Theater. He was almost mortally wounded in the incident that night. He life would never be the same.
Words Associated With Love, Sex, and Relationships
This a roundup of all words associated with love, sex, and relationship with their meanings. Some of these words and their meanings will surprised some of you.
Native Americans During The Civil War
Native Americans made significant contributions during the American Civil War. There is one famous painting with a native American in the company of Robert E. Lee and Ulysses Grant during the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse .
The Story of Diana Ross and The Supremes
This is a short story about the origin of Diana Ross and The Supremes. It also explains what happen to them in the later years of their singer career.
New York City Blizzard of 1888
A look at the famous blizzard that hit New York City in 1888. The idea of building the subways in NYC came out of the consequences the people faced during and after the blizzard.
Genocides In History
Genocide is a blow to humanity at the lowest level when a group of people are treat like animals. That is they are treated less than humans because of their culture, religious beliefs, sexual preferences and even because they are of a different ethnic group. This article explains the events that...
The Tough Job of The American Civil War Laundresses
Who were the laundresses of the American Civil War? Their job was to wash and clean the uniform of the soldiers during the battles. They traveled and went everywhere the soldiers fought during the war to do their job.
The Unlucky Confederate Submarine H.L. Hunley
The Confederate submarine, the H.L. Hunley, had the worst luck during the American Civil War. Bad luck took the lives of 32 soldiers during the development of the sub to its final demise on February 17, 1864 at the bottom of Charleston Harbor off the coast of South Carolina.
What Is Rose Gold, White Gold, And Green Gold Jewelry?
Gold jewelry comes in other colors besides yellow. There is white gold, yellow gold, red gold and green gold. This article explains how these colors are put into the gold metal.
A Quick Look At The Major Battles of The Civil War
The Civil War (1861-185) sometimes called, the war between the states, war between brothers, or war between the North and the South, was the most significant war ever fought on American soil.
Ship & Cruise Travel
Pointers for First Time Cruise Vacationers
First cruise? Read this before going on one. Here you will find a few useful tips and advices from an experienced cruiser to help you plan and enjoy your first cruise.