Steam-Powered Airplane
The Tesla Air 2000 was a biplane built in 1933 by William Besler and Nathan C. Price. It was powered by a steam boiler that was so quiet that spectators on the ground could hear the pilot calling to them. From the video notes:
The advantages of the “Besler System” that were claimed at the time included the elimination of audible noise and destructive vibration; greater efficiency at low engine speeds and also at high altitudes where lower air temperatures assisted condensation; reduced likelihood of engine failure; reduced maintenance costs; reduced fuel costs, since fuel oil was used in place of petrol; reduced fire hazard since the fuel was less volatile and operating temperatures were lower; and a lack of need for radio shielding.
For capacities in excess of 1000 horse power a turbine captures the energy released by the expansion of steam more efficiently than a piston. Thus, the steam reciprocating engine turned out to be unsuitable for scaling up to the needs of large aircraft
Posted by Danger on January 23rd, 2010 filed in Something or Other
Comment now »
Birds Playing an Electric Guitar
French artist Céleste Boursier-Mougenot recorded the sounds and images of birds lured to land on and pluck at the strings of an electric guitar left outside:
His installation for The Curve will take the form of a walk-though aviary for a flock of zebra finches, furnished with electric guitars and other instruments and objects. As the birds go about their routine activities, perching on or feeding from the various pieces of equipment, they create a captivating, live soundscape.
His resulting sound installation is on display at the Barbican Art Gallery in London starting on February 27.
Posted by Danger on January 23rd, 2010 filed in Art Saves
6 Comments »
The Secret Cities of Yemen
Yemen has been in the news a great deal recently – because of its supposed links with the training of terrorists. Yet little attention has been paid to the country itself – particularly its rich and surprising architectural heritage.
So little known outside the country this remarkable architecture has survived hundreds of years.
Take a look at the secret cities of Yemen.
http://trifter.com/asia-pacific/the-secret-cities-of-yemen/
Posted by Danger on January 23rd, 2010 filed in Something or Other
4 Comments »
White Blood Cell Chases Bacteria
This video shows a neutrophil (a type of white blood cell) chasing a staphylococcus aureus bacterium.
The video was recorded by biochemistry professor David Rogers of Vanderbilt University in the 1950s. Notes on the movement by med school professor Thomas P. Stossel:
Contraction waves are visible along the surface of the moving cell as it moves forward in a gliding fashion. As the neutrophil relentlessly pursues the microbe it ignores the red cells and platelets. However, its leading edge is sufficiently stiff (elastic) to deform and displace the red cells it bumps into. The internal contents of the neutrophil also move, and granule motion is particularly dynamic near the leading edge. These granules only approach the cell surface membrane when the cell changes direction and redistributes its peripheral “gel.” After the neutrophil has engulfed the bacterium, note that the cell’s movements become somewhat more jerky, and that it begins to extend more spherical surface projections.
Posted by Danger on January 23rd, 2010 filed in CoooooL
1 Comment »
David Blaine Explains His Breathholding Technique
Posted by Danger on January 23rd, 2010 filed in Something or Other
2 Comments »
Dairy Farmer, Kills 51 Cows Then Commits Suicide
COPAKE, N.Y. — State police in New York say an upstate dairy farmer shot and killed 51 of his milk cows in his barn before turning the rifle on himself.
State police found the body of 59-year-old Dean Pierson in his Copake barn on Thursday. A visitor found a note Pierson had left on the barn door that said not to come in and to call police.
State police would only say that Pierson was having personal issues.
The Columbia County hamlet of Copake is about 115 miles north of New York City.
Local farmers buried the cows outside the barn Friday. They would not discuss Pierson or what had happened, but one of the men said these are hard times to be a farmer.
Posted by Danger on January 23rd, 2010 filed in Animal Rights
8 Comments »
President Obama Blasts Supreme Court Over Citizens United Decision
Posted by Danger on January 23rd, 2010 filed in AMERICA - FUCK YEAH!
Comment now »
Bottlenose dolphins mud-ring feeding
A pod of bottlenose dolphins off the coast of Florida have developed a remarkable hunting strategy in order to catch fish. Another awesome thing about this technique is that only one female in the pod can create this ring.
Posted by Danger on January 23rd, 2010 filed in Animal Rights
4 Comments »
Glass Frog
No, it’s not really made of glass, but you can see the heart beating inside this frog, one of 30 new species of creatures found in the highlands of Ecuador.
Posted by Danger on January 21st, 2010 filed in Animal Rights
9 Comments »
Acoustic Levitation Integral to Mars Missions
One of the more daunting challenges of sending missions to Mars is the problem of dust. Due to the atmosphere and lack of displacing elements, the dust can be a menace to all forms of human operation.
With challenges come great solutions, though; scientists are zeroing in on controlling the particles with acoustic levitation, as shown above.
Posted by Danger on January 21st, 2010 filed in It's Science
2 Comments »
Jon Stewart Destroys Fox News For Reveling In Scott Brown Win
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Fox News Covers Scott Brown’s Victory | ||||
|
||||
Posted by Danger on January 21st, 2010 filed in AMERICA - FUCK YEAH!
2 Comments »
Mars Pictures: NASA’s Most Extraordinary Images EVER
See more. Click here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/21/mars-pictures-nasas-most_n_431137.html
Posted by Danger on January 21st, 2010 filed in Art Saves
3 Comments »
‘Anal Assault’ Trial Begins: NYPD Officers Charged With Sodomizing Suspect With Baton
NEW YORK — Lawyers defending three police officers charged in a subway station baton sex attack case portrayed the accuser as a scammer who made up the story to get money from the city.
In opening statements Thursday, defense lawyer John Patton said former tattoo parlor employee Michael Mineo was not sodomized by a police baton and there was no evidence to prove Mineo’s statements that he was attacked with it in 2008.
“Once you’ve seen Mr. Mineo, you’ll find him a theatrical, posing type of individual who’s going to make a claim,” said Patton, who represents Officer Richard Kern.
Kern, who was 25 at the time, is charged with aggravated sexual abuse and assault. He is on trial with officers Alex Cruz and Andrew Morales, who are accused of covering up the attack. They are charged with hindering prosecution and official misconduct.
All three have pleaded not guilty. If convicted, Kern could face up to 25 years in prison; the others could face up to four years. They could also be fired from the department.
A fourth officer at the scene, Cruz’s partner, has not been charged and was expected to testify for the prosecution.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, the case has not brought public outcry like other instances of alleged police abuse. A few officers and Patrick Lynch, head of the patrolman’s union, appeared in court Thursday, but there were no protests or demonstrations outside.
Posted by Danger on January 21st, 2010 filed in AMERICA - FUCK YEAH!
4 Comments »
POTUS Obama Seeks Bigger Banking Restrictions
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Posted by Danger on January 21st, 2010 filed in AMERICA - FUCK YEAH!
1 Comment »