#30 - "Neatly Wrapped"

#31 was the Archimedes Screw! Well done my Blog Followers - Milt, Michelle, Mike, Elaine, and Joani.

"Neatly Wrapped"

This spool of thick wire cable has certainly stood the test of time! The coiled wire rests comfortably in the Haul of Fame. As I did last week, I focused on part of the whole rather than the entire item. I was intrigued by the rainbow of colors in this rusting cable.

I wouldn't want to be within a thousand feet of this if it ever sprung!


Greatest Inventions of All Time!
Recently I came across an article about the greatest inventions as determined by a large group of scientists, philosophers, educators, and other professions. Their task was to create a list of "the Greatest Inventions of All Time." Conveniently, the final list numbered fifty! so, I'm starting with #50 and working my way down to Numero Uno in December.

Fear not as I will offer you some hints as to what the invention was.

#30

This first farming device not only dug soil up but turned it over, allowing for the cultivation of harder ground. Without it, agriculture as we know it would not exist in northern Europe or the American Midwest.

#30 greatly reduced the amount of time needed to prepare a field, and as a consequence, allowed a farmer to work a larger area of land. In addition, the resulting pattern of low  and high ridges in the soil forms water channels, allowing the soil to drain. In areas where snow buildup causes difficulties, this lets farmers plant the soil earlier, as the snow runoff drains away more quickly.

No help from me on #30!

Murphy's Laws

First Rule of Rural Mechanics. . .

If it works, 

don't fix it.

Leaving You with a Laugh, I Hope. . .



"Coffin Shopping"

#31 - "Tightly Coiled"

#32 was the cotton gin! Great memory recall from Peyton, Milt, Elaine, Joani, Mike, and Michelle (extra credit for responding from recent surgery).

"Tightly Coiled"

The Haul of Fame was one fun shoot. I was planning on a return trip this year after a light snowfall but that never happened - not the snow but my scheduling it!

This was one of the springs on a rusting earth-moving machine. For me, the final shot is usually a part of the whole rather than the whole. I could have focused on the entire tire assembly area but I felt this tightly coiled spring told the story I was looking for.


Greatest Inventions of All Time!
Recently I came across an article about the greatest inventions as determined by a large group of scientists, philosophers, educators, and other professions. Their task was to create a list of "the Greatest Inventions of All Time." Conveniently, the final list numbered fifty! so, I'm starting with #50 and working my way down to Numero Uno in December.

Fear not as I will offer you some hints as to what the invention was.

#31

This Greek scientist is believed to have designed one of the first water pumps, a device that pushed water up a tube. It transformed irrigation and remains in use today at many sewage-treatment plants.

I realize these clues are not very helpful so if you still need help, go to the bottom of this week's blog for multiple choices. . . 

Murphy's Laws

 Julian's Law. . .

If it says "one size fits all," 

it doesn't fit anyone.

Leaving You with a Laugh, I Hope. . .

"Dryer Miracle"

1. Pythorius Drill      2. Archimedes Screw  
3. Darius Well          4. Zorba's Combine

#32 - "Powering It Up. . ."

#33 was Pasteurization as Elaine, Mike, Tony, Joani, Michelle, and Milt knew!

"Powering It Up. . ."

I was fortunate to be able to join a few of my fellow photo club members to tour an abandoned factory in EB. It was very eerie with the small shafts of light coming in through the holes in the roof and the careful footing to avoid falling through to the lower level while trying to focus on what was left behind.

This was a set of three fuses needed to power up one of the machines. The machine was long gone but this energy source was still on the wall. 

Today this abandoned factory is still standing but a quick look will remind you that entering it may prove fatal - too much falling down around it!


Greatest Inventions of All Time!
Recently I came across an article about the greatest inventions as determined by a large group of scientists, philosophers, educators, and other professions. Their task was to create a list of "the Greatest Inventions of All Time." Conveniently, the final list numbered fifty! so, I'm starting with #50 and working my way down to Numero Uno in December.

Fear not as I will offer you some hints as to what the invention was.

#32

A patent was applied for #32 on October 28, 1793; the patent was granted on March 14, 1794, but was not validated until 1807. 

There is slight controversy over whether the idea of theis invention and its constituent elements are correctly attributed to Eli Whitney. The popular image of Whitney inventing it is attributed to an article on the subject written in the early 1870s and later reprinted in 1910 in The Library of Southern Literature. In this article, the author claimed suggested to Whitney the use of a brush-like component instrumental in separating out the seeds. 

Whitney's model was capable of cleaning 50 pounds (23 kg) of lint per day. The model consisted of a wooden cylinder surrounded by rows of slender spikes, which pulled the lint through the bars of a comb-like grid.^[16] The grids were closely spaced, preventing the seeds from passing through. Loose fibers were brushed off, preventing the mechanism from jamming.

Institutionalized the industry—and slavery—in the American South.

Nah, you are on your own with this one as well!

Murphy's Laws

Paul's Law of Group Insurance. . .

The illness you come down with 

is the one ailment 

not covered under your insurance policy.

Leaving You with a Laugh, I Hope. . .

#33 - "Gearhead Heaven!"

#34 was the Gregorian Calendar as if y'all didn't know - Milt, Joani, Tony, Mike, Peyton, Michelle, and Elaine!

"Gearhead Heaven!

Unlike the previous location - the Stone Mill, the Charles River Museum was filled with things to shoot - small and large. The brass gears for this machine caught my attention for some reason. My challenge was where to set up for the shot? Capture the entire machine or go in tight for a partial - the latter won out.


Greatest Inventions of All Time!
Recently I came across an article about the greatest inventions as determined by a large group of scientists, philosophers, educators, and other professions. Their task was to create a list of "the Greatest Inventions of All Time." Conveniently, the final list numbered fifty! so, I'm starting with #50 and working my way down to Numero Uno in December.

Fear not as I will offer you some hints as to what the invention was.

#33 was invented by a French scientist during the nineteenth century. In 1864 he discovered that heating beer and wine was enough to kill most of the bacteria that caused spoilage, preventing these beverages from turning sour. 

Today, #33 is used widely in the dairy industry and other food processing industries to achieve food preservation and food safety. 

Sorry, no multiple choices on this easy one! 

Murphy's Laws

Kelly's Law. . .

An executive will always return to work from lunch

 early 

if no one takes him.

Leaving You with a Laugh, I Hope. . .

"Funeral Small Talk"