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flamethrower

(Encyclopedia)flamethrower, mechanism for shooting a burning stream of liquid or semiliquid fuel at enemy troops or positions. Primitive types of flamethrowers, consisting of hollow tubes filled with burning coals,...

Fischer, Fritz

(Encyclopedia)Fischer, Fritz, 1908–99, German historian. Appointed professor at the Univ. of Hamburg in 1948 (emeritus after 1973), he became famous as the result of his book Griff nach der Weltmacht (1961; tr. G...

Anand, Viswanathan

(Encyclopedia)Anand, Viswanathan, 1969–, Indian chess player. India's youngest national champion at the age of 16, he won the world junior championship and earned the title of grandmaster in 1987. Anand achieved ...

Fuller, John Frederick Charles

(Encyclopedia)Fuller, John Frederick Charles, 1878–1966, British soldier. In World War I, he recognized the importance of mechanized warfare and, as general staff officer of the tank corps, planned the stunning t...

Stenmark, Ingemar

(Encyclopedia)Stenmark, Ingemar, 1956–, Swedish skier. The “Silent Swede” learned to ski at an early age and in 16 years of competition won a record 86 World Cup races and two gold medals at the 1980 Olympics...

Hitchcock, Gilbert Monell

(Encyclopedia)Hitchcock, Gilbert Monell, 1859–1934, American newspaper publisher and political leader, b. Omaha, Nebr. A lawyer, he founded (1885) the Omaha Evening World, combined it (1889) with the Morning Hera...

Hoppe, Willie

(Encyclopedia)Hoppe, Willie (William Frederick Hoppe) hŏpˈē [key], 1887–1959, American billiards champion, b. Cornwall, N.Y. He practiced billiards from a very early age and gave exhibitions before he won (190...

Jones, Brian

(Encyclopedia)Jones, Brian, 1947–, British balloonist, b. Bristol. A former Royal Air Force pilot, he entered the world of ballooning in the 1980s, and in 1997 became an organizer for the attempt of the British-b...

Whitaker, Pernell

(Encyclopedia)Whitaker, Pernell, 1964–2019, American boxer, b. Norfolk, Va. A left-handed fighter with brilliant defensive skills, he was a 1984 Olympic gold medalist in the 132-pound lightweight division. Turnin...

Schmeling, Max

(Encyclopedia)Schmeling, Max (Maximilian Schmeling), 1905–2005, German boxer. He debuted as a professional fighter in 1924 and came to the United States in 1928. Two years later the methodical slugger beat heavyw...
 

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