May 9, 2014: A cute little solar-powered garbage-eater goes on duty (more) Today in History—May 9: Mr. Trash Wheel Goes on Duty Written by Michele Metych Michele Metych is the lead editor for Today in History at Encyclopædia Britannica. Michele Metych Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated May 6, 2026 •History May 9, 2014: A cute little solar-powered garbage-eater goes on duty© NICHOLAS KAMM—AFP/Getty Images; Photo Illustration Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Baltimore has a new celebrity. He’s 16 feet tall, weighs almost 100,000 pounds, and eats a lot—nearly 500,000 pounds every year. Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Want to learn more about what happened on May 9, or any other day of the year? Sign up to receive the...

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