(AP) – Ted Kaczynski, the convict known as the Unabomber,
was found dead in his prison cell Saturday morning. He was
81 years old.

Kaczynski was found dead around 8 a.m. at a federal prison
in North Carolina, a Bureau of Prisons spokesperson told
The Associated Press. A cause of death is uncertain.

He had been moved to the federal prison medical facility in
North Carolina in December 2021 after spending two decades
in a federal Supermax prison in Colorado for a series of
bombings that targeted scientists.

Kaczynski was serving life without the possibility of parole
following his 1996 arrest at the primitive cabin (below) 
where he was living in western Montana.

On this day in history, June 10, 1752, Benjamin Franklin is
reported to have flown a kite during a thunderstorm, with
a goal of collecting ambient electrical charge in a Leyden
jar — a container that could store an electrical charge for
later use.

This potentially would enable him to demonstrate the
connection between lightning and electricity.

Franklin showed an interest in the subject of electricity in
the mid-1740s when much was still unknown on the topic.

For almost a decade he conducted electrical experiments.
(History.com.)

A Leyden jar was the original form of the capacitor
(also called a condenser).      

Leyden jars are still used by teachers today to
demonstrate the principles of electrostatics.

(Fox News) – Iconic and celebrated American composer Cole
Porter was born on this day in history, June 9, 1891, into a
prestigious family in Peru, Indiana. 

His mother, Kate Cole Porter, was the daughter of wealthy
businessman J.O. Cole — and due to his upbringing, young
Cole Porter enjoyed a privileged childhood, according to
the Indiana Historical Society.

At the age of 6, Porter started playing both the violin and
piano — and became quite good at both instruments.  

( Fox News) – “Breaking Bad” star Mike Batayeh passed away
after suffering a heart attack in his sleep.

Batayeh was at home when he died, and his sister said that
the death was very sudden, and that he had no history of
heart problems.

The actor, who was known to fans as the manager of Gustavo’s laundromat in the TV show, will be honored during a celebration
of life service on June 16. Batayeh’s funeral will be held on June
17.

The actor will be honored during a celebration of life service on
June 16. His funeral will be held on June 17.

“

At the age of eight, Les Paul began playing the harmonica.
After learning the piano, he switched to the guitar. During
this time he invented a neck-worn harmonica holder.

Les Paul (Lester William Polsfuss)
(June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009) 

Paul, was a jazz, country, and blues guitarist, songwriter, and
inventor. He was one of the pioneers of the solid-body electric
guitar, and his prototype, called the Log, served as inspiration
for the Gibson Les Paul. Paul taught himself how to play guitar,
and while he is mainly known for jazz and popular music, he
had an early career in country music. In the 1950s, he and his
wife, singer and guitarist Mary Ford, recorded numerous records,
selling millions of copies.

Paul is credited with many recording innovations. His early
experiments with overdubbing (also known as sound on
sound), delay effects such as tape delay, phasing, and
multitrack recording.          
         

His licks, trills, chording sequences, fretting techniques, and
timing set him apart from his contemporaries and inspired
many guitarists of the present day. (From Wikipedia)

      
      
      
      
      
     

Les (with wife, Mary Ford) in their home recording studio.