Molybdenum

Molybdenum? you say. I know you all knew that that atomic number of Molybdenum is, of course, 42!

Molybdenum (Mo) from the Greek meaning "lead-like", is a refractory metallic element used principally as an alloying agent in steel, cast iron, and superalloys to enhance hardenability, strength, toughness, and wear and corrosion resistance.

The world's largest producers of molybdenum materials are the United States, Canada, Chile, Russia, and China. Molybdenum was discovered in 1778 by Carl Wilhelm Scheele and first isolated in 1781 by Peter Jacob Hjelm.

Teen Wolf

Guess who was sporting The Number in the 1985 film Teen Wolf?

That's right, Michael J. Fox in his role as high school student Scott Howard who finds himself transforming into a werewolf. A basketball superstar werewolf in fact.

Level 42

Level 42 was formed in 1980 as a jazz-funk fusion band. Band members Mark King and Phil Gould both claim to have been reading Douglas Adams' comical science fiction novel, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy wherein the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything, is The Number. Therefore The Number was suggested as a name for the band.

Teeball at The White House

President George W. Bush holds up a commemorative baseball jersey with Jackie Robinson's number 42 presented to him by players from Robinson's playing era at the White House Tee Ball Game Sunday, July 15, 2007.

Tee Ball players wore The Number to celebrate the legacy of Jackie Robinson.

The 42nd Parallel - North

The 42nd parallel north forms most of the New York-Pennsylvania border, although due to imperfect surveying in 1785-1786, this boundary wanders around on both sides of the true parallel. The area around the parallel in this region is known as the Twin Tiers.

California, Nevada, and Utah have the parallel 42° north as their northern border, and the adjoining U.S. states of Oregon and Idaho have the parallel 42° north as their southern border.

The parallel passes through (or near - within one-half degree of latitude) the following cities in the United States: Medford, Oregon, Yreka, California, Des Moines, Iowa, Chicago, Illinois, Detroit, Michigan, Cleveland, Ohio, Erie, Pennsylvania, Binghamton, New York, Hartford, Connecticut, Providence, Rhode Island, and Boston, Massachusetts (and outside the U.S. - Rome, Italy).

The photo above is of the 42nd Parallel in Point Pelee National Park in southwestern Ontario, Canada.

Ryan Howard - First Base - Philadelphia Phillies

Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies sports The Number on Jackie Robinson Day 2007 - April 15, 2007.

Route 4 and Route 2 South of Lusby, Maryland

Route 4 meets with Maryland Route 2 (Solomons Island Road) near the town of Sunderland at the Lower Marlboro Road junction. "Route 4/2" continues south for 26.9 miles, and both are known as Solomons Island Road.

The road continues running nearly due south, intersecting the western end of Maryland 575 north of Huntingtown and the western end of Maryland 263 south of same. South of Prince Frederick the road gains a second name, the Louis L. Goldstein Highway.

Charles A. Conerly - QB - New York Giants

September 21, 1921 - February 13, 1996

Charlie Conerly was an all-America single-wing tailback at the University of Mississippi, after having served in the invasion of Guam as a Marine corporal during World War II.

In 1948, he joined the New York Giants, who converted him to a T-formation quarterback. He went to the Pro Bowl after the 1950 and 1956 seasons and was named the 1959 Associated Press NFL Player of the Year. Conerly led the Giants to the 1956 NFL championship and held virtually all of the club's career passing records until Phil Simms surpassed them. "Chuckin' Charlie," as sportswriters liked to call him, retired after the 1961 season.

In 1962, the Giants retired The Number in Conerly's honor.

San Francisco 49ers to wear The Number

This list does not include preseason or exhibition games. A second number after the player's name indicates that he also wore that number at some point during his career.

Bob Bryant 1946-49
Leo Nomellini (73) 1950-51
Lowell Wagner (92) 1952-53,55
Searcy Miles 1954-56
Ernie Smith 1955-56
Jim Ridlon 1957-62
Don Libson 1963-64
Doug Cunningham 1967-73
Anthony Leonard 1976-78
Ricky Odom 1978
Ricky Patton (32) 1980
Ronnie Lott 1981-90

SEPTA - Route 42 Sign

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Route 42 - Wycombe/West Philadelphia to Penn's Landing via Spruce, Chestnut and Walnut Streets.

Frank Sinatra - 42 cent stamp - First Day of Issue Cover

This is a Digital Color Postmark from the Las Vegas issuance of the Frank Sinatra commemorative stamps.

On May 13, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and New York, New York, the Postal Service™ issued a 42–cent, Frank Sinatra commemorative stamp in one design in a Pressure–Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps.

With this stamp, designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, the Postal Service honors Frank Sinatra, an Oscar-winning actor and a supreme interpreter of American popular song. Art director Richard Sheaff and stamp artist Kazuhiko Sano of Mill Valley, California, have chosen to present this iconic figure in a portrait based on a photograph by an unknown photographer.

Jason David - CB - New Orleans Saints

Today's number 42 comes to us from New Orleans, where CB Jason David sports The Number.

Jason was selected in the fourth round (125th overall) by Indianapolis in the 2004 NFL Draft after a standout career at Washington State. Then in 2007, the Saints signed Jason to a four-year contract.

Below David is shown lining up to cover Steve Smith during the Saints, December 28, 2008 game against the Carolina Panthers.

L. Wesley Whiddon - LB - Fleming Island High School

February 22, 1991 - May 14, 2008

Whiddon was credited with 174.5 tackles -- 14 for a loss -- during his junior year on the Fleming Island Golden Eagles. He caused three fumbles, recovering one, and was named first-team linebacker in both the county and the conference. This 17-year-old standout on the Fleming Island High School football team was tragically struck and killed by a train crossing a railroad bridge over Black Creek on May 14, 2008. He is shown above proudly sporting The Number.

Newspapers reported that his family requested he be buried wearing the number he loved. The Number has been retired at Fleming Island High School. May he rest in peace.

Candlestick Park

The Number graces the right field wall at Candlestick Park (3Com Park at the time the picture was taken) in honor of Jackie Robinson.

This photo was taken on May 28, 1998 during a game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants. It was the Diamondbacks first trip into San Francisco ever.

Also during this game, Barry Bonds was intentionally walked with the bases loaded.

Oakland, California - 42 feet above sea level

Welcome to Oakland, California!

Population 409,300 and a perfect 42 feet above sea level.