In today’s world, many septuagenarians have slowed only slightly and are still active in their professions, sports or artistic, religious and cultural circles.
However, 100 plus years ago, achieving the age of 75 was considered a memorable milestone in most countries. Yet, interestingly, over the centuries there were countless ‘entrepreneurial’ people achieving great things at that age.
Retired mechanic, Charles Stolfus defied his 75 years by taking up roller skating and even invented a special kind of skate with jogging shoes adapted to take polyurethane wheels.
English orchestral composer, Henry Wood conducted his 50th promenade concert in 1944 at age 75. He died soon after but his memory was honored by calling the ‘proms’ the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts.
At 75, Greek mathematician, scientist and inventor, Archimedes was still working on complex problems and was actually busy drawing a mathematical figure in the sand at the moment he was mistakenly killed after the capture of Syracuse by the Romans.
Conquering Roman general, Marcellus, intended his life to be spared but in the confusion a mistake was made. It appears that Marcellus was genuinely grieved by Archimedes’ death and gave him an honorable burial. This met with the scientist’s wish that his tomb be marked with a sphere and a cylinder in respect of one of his most important achievements.
