How 209 Deaths Created The Weather Service

In 1869, The Milwaukee Sentinel reported 1,914 shipwrecks and 209 deaths on the Great Lakes. Dr. Increase Lapham read it and pitched Congress a revolutionary idea: Use telegraphs to track storms and warn ships. Two months later, President Ulysses S. Grant signed it into law, creating the National Weather Service.

Ask The Expert: How To Avoid Driving With Sun Glare

What actually causes sun glare and how is it seasonal? The brief annoyance can actually wipe out your visibility during the busiest commute hours, and if you add in inclement weather, those few seconds of blindness can quickly turn into a serious safety risk. Here’s what you should know: