Entry page. Full list of 787 flying machines. Picture: the Yakovlev VVP-6.
The History of Helicopters and Autogyros
May 15, 2009 by Filed Under: Aviation, Helicopters, Obsolete technology, Travel
The Flying Oven
May 11, 2009 by Filed Under: Low-tech solutions, Solar
That is how they call it, and they ask me what I think of it. Honestly, I have no clue.
“This research project proves a new and novel method of winter solar heat gathering. Based on February to December 2008 UK tests, a solarsphere of this type can produce enough heat to make a well insulated house self sufficient in both space heating and hot water.”
Prison Treadmills
May 11, 2009 by Filed Under: History, Human power, Jailhouse technology, Treadwheels & treadmills
The prison treadmill was invented in England in 1817 by Sir William Cubit, who observed prisoners lying around in idleness and put himself to the task of “reforming offenders by teaching them habits of industry.” Forty-four prisons in England adopted it as a form of hard labour that could also grind grain (although some treadwheels were only “grinding the wind“).
The punitive treadmill was then implemented in America for two long years, between 1822 and 1824, at Bellevue penitentiary outside New York. Prisoners stepped on the mill for 10 hours a day (with 20 minute breaks per hour), grinding grain, often with a large audience of jeering onlookers housed in a specially built viewing house. Read here and here. Picture credit. See more images.
Related: Human powered cranes and lifting devices.
Supporters and Opponents of Technology
May 7, 2009 by Filed Under: Luddites, Technology
“Having read and listened to the arguments of technology enthusiasts and technology critics, I find it striking that different people look at the same history, the same society, the same products and services, the same jobs – and come to diametrically opposed conclusions about what they see. There is a fundamental difference in the world view of supporters and opponents of technology. It is more than the difference in seeing a glass half full or half empty.
The difference seems to be one of contrasting views of what should be in the glass. Supporters of technology see an upward trend in quality of life beginning with people living at the mercy of nature with an empty glass that technology has been gradually filling. Neo-luddites view the glass as originally full when people lived in small communities with little impact on nature; they see technology as draining it.”
Quoted from: “A Gift of Fire: Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues for Computing and the Internet
The Folly of Building-Integrated Wind
May 6, 2009 by Filed Under: Ecotech Myths, Wind Power, Wind turbines
“The study found that predicted performance exceeded actual performance by a factor of 15 to 17. With the worst-performing systems, the electricity required to run the electronics exceeded the electricity production, so the wind turbines were net consumers of electricity”. Read.
Thanks, Brent Eubanks. Related: Small windmills put to the test / Urban Windmills harm the environment.
Sailing Rockets
May 5, 2009 by Filed Under: Boats, Racing, Sailing ships, Travel, Wind Power
This unconventional sailing boat, named the SailRocket, reached a record speed of 47.35 knots (87.6 km/h or 54.43 mph), on average over a distance of 500 meters. During another run, the boat reached a speed of 52 knots before lifting off
for a spectacular in-the-air wipeout (also caught on video). More below.
