The July 17 make believe contest, "Do You Know Who This Is?", is officially closed and we have our two winners! Ladies and gentlemen in the reading audience, I'd like to present you with this brief piece for your information and enjoyment before proceeding with the make believe awards portion of this post.
Carolus Linnaeus was born in Sweden in 1707 at a time when Swedes had no surnames, so his name was simply Carl. For registration purposes, though, his father had to come up with a surname and chose Linnaeus, a Latin word for linden, for the large linden tree that stood on the family property. At this point, the boy became Carl Linnaeus. However, throughout his life, he used variations of this name, one for personal identification, another as his professional name as a scientist, and more. Thus Carl became Carl Linnaeus, a.k.a. Carolus Linnaeus, a.k.a. Carl von Linne', a.k.a. Carl Linne', but you may also see Caroli Linnaei at times.
Linnaeus is often referred to as the Father of Taxonomy. He wrote a number of scientific works on the classifications of plants, animals, and other things, some actually bordering on absurd by today's standards. However, his "system" is the basis of how a lot of classifications are done today and he is applauded for the creation of such concepts/ideas in his day. One of his most notable works is Systema Naturae.
Linnaeus was the first to come up with the idea (and a plan) for a flower clock. Taking into account that different types of flowers appear and die out at different intervals and that flowers open and close at different times of the day, he designed a plan that placed different types of flowers in a circular pattern so that the opening and closing of the flowers would correspond with various times of the day. As each type of flower would open, they would designate the time of the day much like the hands of a clock. Of course, this didn't quite work out at HIS time, due to the fact that the entire plan was based on flowers found in his location only, didn't take nighttime into much of any consideration, and other problematic details.
However, a flower clock in Geneva Switzerland was created in 1955 and then redesigned in 2002 that follows a lot of the basic Linnaeus Flower Clock plan. This giant floral clock has specific flowers strategically placed in correlation with specific times as found on a clock, and these flowers will open at their appropriate times throughout the day and many will "sleep" at night. To guarantee that the time is accurate during any season or time of day (or night), a mechanically driven timekeeping "watch" is built into the flower clock, so that the three hands (hour, minute, second) display the time as common clocks and watches do.
Sweden is extremely proud and appreciative of this great scientific thinker, planner, contributor and teacher and he continues to be honored and recognized throughout the world, especially by those in the field of science. There are societies and an arboretum named after him. There is a Linnaean Garden in Uppsala, Sweden, and he is even pictured on the Swedish 100 kroner bill. And, there is a flower named after him, which happened to be one of his favorites. It is the Linnaea Borealis, more commonly known as the Twinflower.
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And, now, ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the make believe awards portion of this post. By now, you know that the correct answer to the contest is Carolus Linnaeus and the two winners are..........(this is the drumroll).............
DIANE and ANACOANA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let's give them a round of applause! 
Now, Diane and Anacoana, here are your make believe prizes.... You are each receiving one of these gorgeously, beautiful, contemporary, state-of-the-art FLOWER CLOCKS for your homes (batteries not included)!
Once again, let's applaud to these very fine winners! And, let's give a thumbs up to Martne, who also submitted a correct answer! 
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That concludes the make believe awards presentation to the make believe contest, which also means it is the conclusion of this post. Until next time, this is Donnamg signing off with a reminder that it's good to learn something new every day.
13 comments on And the Answer Is...Carolus Linnaeus
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Clap...Clap....Clap...hooray!....horray!....horray!
Well, that was a lot of fun! And, yes, your applause is greatly appreciated. The winners are so deserving of it!
Applause! Applause!
I'm sure Diane and Anacoana appreciate all this attention. Oh, I can see them bowing now!
Bravo Donna!!!
Well, thank you, Jackie! I'm so glad you enjoyed the "show"!
WOW how cool. Thank you for the flower clock, I'll put it in my imaginary green house.
This was a fun post, we studied his work when we did home school, and my husband is a Sweet Swede, so we studies everything of that culture at that time.
(Love the idea of picking your own last name, my husbasnd took my maidan name when we married.)
Congratulations, ana!
I hope you enjoy your make believe flower clock...I'm sure it will look lovely in your imaginary green house! 
I sort of like picking a name, too. But, they did have their own style of surnames...they just went by their father's/ancestor's name...which is a lot like others did....like Jacobson....where surnames matched earlier relatives, tribes, cities, even occupations, so a lot weren't really "chosen". Carl's dad had the luxury, though, of being able to choose one and Carl took advantage of it by picking to use a number of variations on it.
I think it's cool that your husband took your maiden name. I think it's good to use the name chosen, too, and not necessarily automatically go with the assumed one.
HOW FUN!!!
I would like to thank all the little people who help me over the years.....
Thank you for the wonderful clock!!!
Does it come in Blue?
YOU WON!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, the little people (that includes me, I'm only 5' tall!) all think you deserve being recognized and the winner of the prize!
I sure do hope you like your make believe clock, it's sure to bring you "hours" of pleasure!
Oh, you wanted it in blue? Hmmmm, soooooo you are one of those picky winners, huh? Do you know how far I had to go to get these beautifully, gorgeous state-of-the-art flower clocks? Hmmmmm? I had to go all the way to Googleland! It took me many valuable minutes to reach it, pick it, load it, and deliver it. And, you want blue? This blue? >>>
Hey! No problem! I believe you can pick up a make believe can of blue paint at any make believe hardware or paint store! 
Hey, I think I found a blue one! I went back to Googleland and only saw more like the one I gave you as a prize...but, when I went straight to the manufacturer, it turns out that this clock is the result of a do-it-yourself kit. Kits are available with different color options. So, if you'd like, I can make an exchange for you. It's free and quite easy, but I don't think I'll be able to post a picture of it...that's the only thing that stinks.
I feel like you helped educate me!
AJ
Well, AJ, look at all the posts you do that help educate me! I'm just trying to return the favor.