ON THIS DAY

On this date in 1846, a doctor used ether for the first time in an operation.

On this date in 1927, Babe Ruth hit his record-establishing 60th home run.

William Wrigley Jr. -- The man who brought us "pure chewing satisfaction" -- was born way, way back in 1861. Modern chewing gum was invented when "chicle," a latex sap much like rubber, was brought to the U.S. In 1870, the first flavored gum, Black Jack, was manufactured. Wrigley was selling Spearmint and Juicy Fruit by 1893. Chiclets and gumballs came in the early 1900s -- and Walter Diemer invented Dubble Bubble bubble gum in 1928. After World War II, chemists learned how to make artificial gum bases to use instead of chicle.

• A recent study shows a simple stick of gum can often fight heartburn just as well as over the counter medicines. Researchers at England's Kings College found that chewing gum half an hour after a meal can relieve symptoms of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) -- commonly known as indigestion. Chewing gum stimulates saliva, which neutralizes acid in the esophagas.
• According to a small study by Andrew Scholey of the University of Northumbria in England, people who chewed gum throughout tests for both long- and short-term memory scored better on both tests than people who did not chew gum. One theory suggests that the act of chewing ups the heart rate, which, in turn, improves oxygen delivery to the brain.
• New research suggests chewing gum may not only help a woman conceive but may make her pregnancy safer and more successful. The study found that the act of chewing makes a woman's eggs more receptive to sperm and helps balance hormones.
• Chewing gum could help you lose weight according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MI, have discovered that chewing gum raises your metabolic rate by about 20 percent, and an "all-day sugar-free gum chewer" burns off the equivalent of 11 pounds of extra weight per year.

In 1894, the safety pin was invented by James Hunt, who at the age of only 14 months, was sick and tired of having his diapers glued on.

On this date in 1902, a patent was given for Rayon... to the Rayola company. They're the ones with the sharpener built-in to the back of the box.

In 1906, the New York Central Railroad began using electric locomotives and very, very long extension chords.

On this date in 1942, a football game was televised nationally for the very first time. It was on that same day that the phrase, "Honey, can't it wait until halftime?" was first spoken.

Jenna Elfman turns 38. Fran Drescher is 52. Roy Horn of "Sigfried & Roy" turns 65,

Chances are Johnny Mathis will be blowing out 74 candles today.

Ask A Stupid Question Day -- What's the stupidest question you've ever been asked?

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Ready or not, here it comes: Sarah Palin's memoirs, "Going Rouge," will hit book stores November 17.
• When he was growing up, John Lennon's brought home a picture he drew at school of his classmate Lucy O'Donnell and showed it to his father explaining: "It's Lucy in the sky with diamonds." It inspired his dad to write the now infamous song. Lucy O'Donnell has lost her long battle with lupus. She was only 46.
• "Jon & Kate Plus 8" will soon be "Kate Plus Eight." That's the word from the TLC network, who announced Tuesday that its hit reality show is adapting to changes in the Gosselin household.
• Starbucks has rolled out it's new instant coffee nationwide. Now all the stores are selling "Via."
• 3 months after his Vegas wedding to Esther Nazarov, Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst is now Tweeting again that the marriage is over.
• Looks like American Idol runnerup, David Archuleta, is going to get his wisdom teeth yanked out sometime soon.
• Claire Danes and British actor Hugh Dancy were married in a low-key ceremony in France earlier this month.
• Jessica Simpson is going to take part in QVC's charity shoe sale coming up in early October.
• Ashton Kutcher's show "The Beautiful Life," featuring freshly-rehab'd Mischa Barton, has been yanked after only 2 episodes.
• Ann and Nancy Wilson of the 70s group "Heart" are going to release a children's bedtime book and CD, "Dog and Butterfly," based on the name of their album and single 30 years ago.
• One sign the economy is turning around: RV sales are taking a positive turn.
• Jon Cryer and his wife adopted a baby girl last month they named Daisy.
• Mel Gibson's lawyer will go to court next week and ask them to remove that ill-fated "drunk driving" ticket from the actor's record... because he has successfully completed all the terms of his 3-year probation.
• In spite of all the economic challenges, spending on pet food has been increasing.

(Netscpe) Are you shy? Find it hard to start conversations with people you don't know well? You don't have to worry about trying controversial subjects like politics and religion. Try these openers to get you talking:

• "Who is the most interesting person you have ever met?" This certainly gets people thinking and talking about people they have met and leads you to ask, "Why?"
• "Where in the world would you most like to visit?" Maybe it's a location shared by many people leading to a common interest and of course, once again, you can ask "Why?"
• "Who's had the biggest influence in your life?" Generally, they will think of a positive person and be very willing to talk further about them and why that influence is positive.
• "What has been the most life-changing experience you have ever had?" This could be something good or even something tragic that has affected their life to a great degree. It should lead to a long conversation.
• "What is the most spontaneous thing you have ever done?" From funny to brave and adventurous stories, this is a good opener.
• "What thing that you haven't done yet would you most like to do?" Maybe a career move? A new family, a change of lifestyle? This is where you can join in and talk about your aspirations, too.
• "What is the best quality you've inherited from either of your parents?" This is a particularly appropriate topic at family gatherings as most people will know who you are talking about.
• "From which person have you learned most in your life?" Another uplifting positive topic of conversation.
• "What historical figure do you most identify with?" This really opens up the conversation into the era the figure lived in and events surrounding their life. Yes, it can get into politics or religion but generally, people treat this question in the fun that was intended and steer away from being too serious.
• "What kind of music do you like?" This gives you a great insight into other people but don't let the subject close. An interesting aside is to ask "What is the most embarrassing album in your collection?" Answers to this one are usually hilarious.

News flash for moms and dads: All those hours your kid spends playing video games may not be a waste of time. It could be preparing your young'un for a career as an Air Force pilot. Starting this year, the military will train more pilots to fly remote controlled unmanned aircraft than to fly real fighters and bombers. Unmanned missions have increased 600 percent in the past six years and the trend is going to continue. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can stay aloft 24/7 while being controlled by an operator sitting at a console on the ground. Air Force brass think they're cheaper, safer and more efficient than craft with onboard pilots. So far, there are 1,000 trained ground controllers and the need for more is growing month by month in war zones like Afghanistan. (Sun)

Women's Health asked, "What's your Halloween costume style?"

• 22 percent said sexy school girl
• 17 percent said vampire/scary
• 9 percent said princess
• 52 percent said "none of the above"

Hey guys, wedding rings are babe magnets. Women find married men much more attractive than bachelors, according to a new Oklahoma State University study. The syndrome, called "mate poaching," may explain while Angelina Jolie was driven to steal Brad Pitt from his then wife Jennifer Aniston. It may also explain why Angelina's been altar-shy ever since she hooked up with Brad in early 2004 while filming Mr. and Mrs. Smith. For the study, university researchers showed women a picture of an attractive young man. Sometimes he was described as married. Sometimes he was described as single. Surprisingly, when the women thought the guy was married, they were four times more likely to find him hot stuff. (National Examiner)