#34 - "Built to Last"

#35 was oil refining. Most of you wanted to blow up the invention with either gunpowder or nitro. Sorry for the vague clues on some of these - thanks for responding Mike, Joani, Elaine, Peyton, Tony, and Michelle. I will not divulge the only correct responder's name!

"Built to Last"

At the Stone Mill. . .
Several walks up and down the former mill was not giving me much for which to stop and set up. I saw this plumbing connection. I was moderately surprised not to see it coated in layers of paint. 

Proof positive that desperate times call for desperate measures - hence this image!


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.

#34 (This should be easy to make up for the last few. . .)

#34 was named after the Pope who introduced it in October 1582.

It was a refinement to the one already in use throughout the world. One of the prime reasons for this drastic change was Easter. #34 was first adopted by the Catholic countries of Europe while Protestant and Eastern Orthodox states used the traditional one.

The last European country to adopt this was Greece in 1923.

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

Kaplan's Law of the Instrument. . .

Give a small boy a hammer and 

he will find that everything he encounters - 

needs pounding!

Leaving You with a Laugh, I Hope. . .

1.  Holy Communion       2. The Rosary     
3. The Bible     4. Gregorian Calendar

35 - "Stamp Mill Plate"

#36 was the steam turbine as Tony, Joani, Elaine, Michelle, Mike, and Milt knew!

"Stamp Mill Plate"

This circular decorative item was not anything that would accessorize your appearance as it weighed in the tonnage department. When ore was removed from the mines, it was deposited at the Stamp Mill at sites such as Bodie Ghost Town where it was first crushed into smaller pieces. This plate was one of many to help to accomplish that task. Can you imagine the level of noise pollution not to mention the dust that these people inhaled each day!!


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.

#35

Without it, oil drilling (#39) would have been unnecessary. . .

The Chinese were among the first civilizations to consider it. During 512 A.D. and 518 A.D., the Chinese geographer, writer, and politician Li Daoyuan introduced the process of using this to make various lubricants in his famous work. 

Invention #35 was soon used for more than an energy source as it found its way into weaponry. The Chinese created the world’s first fire bomb because of #35!

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

de la Lastra's Law. . .

After the last of sixteen mounting screws 

has been removed from an access cover, 

it will be discovered that 

the wrong access cover has been removed!

Leaving You with a Laugh, I Hope. . .

"Such a . . .!"

1. dynamite    2. nitro glycerine    
3. gunpowder   4. oil refining

#36 - "Frozen in Its Tracks!"

#37 Cementing their place among the correct responders were Joani, Michelle, Mike, Milt, Elaine, and Peyton.

"Frozen in Its Tracks!"

Just how cold was it at the Haul of Fame? Look for yourself - that was solid ice in those small collecting areas. This shot was a partial capture of the tracks on this tractor. When I got home and played around with it, the title came immediately. I thought it was pretty clever!


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.

#36

A less heralded cousin of it will come in at #10.

These are the backbone of today’s energy infrastructure: they generate 80 percent of the world’s power!

The modern device was invented in 1884 by Sir Charles Parsons, whose first model was connected to a dynamo that generated 7.5 kW (10 hp) of electricity. His invention made cheap and plentiful electricity possible and revolutionized marine transport and naval warfare.

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

 McGregor's Revised Maxim. . .

The shortest distance between two points is 

under construction.

Leaving You with a Laugh, I Hope. . .

"Growing Old. . ."

1. light bulb   2. generator   3. steam turbine  4. the battery 

#37 - "A Window Crank"

#38 Scientific Plant Breeding - Michelle, Joani, Elaine, Mike, and Peyton!

"A Window Crank"

As I mentioned earlier, the Stone Mill had its challenges - mainly finding items to focus upon. Forced to look in the dark corners, behind the partially opened doors and even in the ceilings, I saw this device used to provide ventilation or possibly to release whatever odors were trapped in the room. A simply pulley and chain allowed a worker to open up the ceiling - early air conditioning. Greatly appreciated in these large mill buildings!

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.

#37

The foundation of civilization - literally! 

Used by the Egyptians some 2600 years ago. A hydraulic binder, sort of a glue. . . China is the #1 producer of this with India and the US following a distance second and third.

Medieval masons and some military engineers maintained an active tradition of using the hydraulic version of #37 in structures such as canals, fortresses, ship building facilities, etc.

The technical knowledge for making this was formalized by French and British engineers in the 18th century.

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

Perversity of Nature Law. . .

You cannot successfully determine beforehand 

which side of the bread to butter!

Leaving You with a Laugh, I Hope. . .

"Vegan Violence"

a. brakes   b. cement   c. bread-making   d. elevators

#38 - "My What Big Teeth. . ."

#39 was Oil Drilling! Well done - Michelle, Tony, Elaine, Joani, Peyton, and Mike!

"My, What Big Teeth!"

Back to back from the Haul of Fame


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.

#38

Humans have been manipulating this from the beginning of time. But it wasn’t until early 20th century that scientists discovered a forgotten 1866 paper by the Austrian Gregor Mendel that we figured out how this worked.

It is the art and science of changing the traits of things in order to produce desired characteristics. This can be accomplished through many different techniques ranging from simply selection to methods that make use of knowledge of genetics and chromosomes. 

It is practiced worldwide by individuals such as gardeners and farmers, or by professionals employed by organizations such as government  institutions, universities, or research centers.

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

Montgomery's Maxim. . .

If at first you don't succeed -

 read the manual.

Leaving You with a Laugh, I Hope. . .



"Road Curse. . ."

 a. the clock    b. plant breeding   c. plowing   d. greenhouses