This Hiding Place Should Never be Disturbed

Nuclear waste “Every day, the world over, large amounts of high-level radioactive waste created by nuclear power plants is placed in interim storages, which are vulnerable to natural disasters, man-made disasters, and to societal changes. In Finland the world’s first permanent repository is being hewn out of solid rock – a huge system of underground tunnels – that must last 100,000 years as this is how long the waste remains hazardous.

Once the waste has been deposited and the repository is full, the facility is to be sealed off and never opened again. Or so we hope, but can we ensure that? And how is it possible to warn our descendants of the deadly waste we left behind? How do we prevent them from thinking they have found the pyramids of our time, mystical burial grounds, hidden treasures? Which languages and signs will they understand? And if they understand, will they respect our instructions? While gigantic monster machines dig deeper and deeper into the dark, experts above ground strive to find solutions to this crucially important radioactive waste issue to secure mankind and all species on planet Earth now and in the near and very distant future.”

“Into Eternity”. Watch (75 min) & Read. Via TOD.

Downloadable Hasselblad Pinhole Camera

Hasselblad pinhole camera “This carefully produced downloadable and printable net file represents an iconic Hasselblad camera as a low impact and functional product that is available to all as an A4 sized, 8 page PDF. The camera takes 35mm film and takes 12-14 images per roll.”

Via Lloyd Alter (and others). Previously: The pinhole camera: low-tech photography

Dealing With Holes

“Woolfiller repairs holes and hides stains in woollen jumpers, cardigans, jackets and carpets, for example. How? Through embracing the specific character of wool. The fibres of wool contain miniscule scales which open up when they are pricked with a felt needle. The open scales bind with each other and will not be separated. Not even in the wash. Woolfiller can be used with a special machine or with the hand. It is simple, sustainable and satisfying. A new solution for an age old problem.” Thank you, Adriana.

How to Ship an Obelisk

how to ship an obelisk

In the 19th century Egyptian rulers gifted several large 1500BC obelisks to Paris, London and New York, all of which are still standing today. We already know how these things were erected, but how did they get there? The images above and below (from a 1878 article in the French magazine “La Nature”) show the vessel used for the transportation of the fragile 250 tonne heavy granite stone which is now in London.

A special vessel (the “Cleopatra”), was constructed around the obelisk, rolled into the sea, and then towed across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic to England. It sank on the way, but miraculously drifted to shore and was saved. The barge consisted of a steel cylinder enveloped in wood. The Americans, the French, and (much earlier) the Romans used different methods.

[Read more…]

Hardcore Book Scanning

Needed: Chainsaw + scanner. Read the first comment before you try this at home. Via Mijns Insziens.

How to Build a Reciprocal Roof Frame (aka Mandala Roof)

How to Build a Reciprocal Roof Frame Mandala Roof

“A reciprocal roof is a beautiful and simple self-supporting structure that can be composed of as few as three rafters, and up to any imaginable quantity (within reason, of course). Reciprocal roofs require no center support, they are quick to construct, and they can be built using round poles or dimensional lumber (perhaps with some creative notching). They are extremely strong, perfect for round buildings, and very appropriate for living roofs, as well.”

How to build a reciprocal roof frame. Practice with matches first.

Related: How to build an earthbag dome.

Via Judit Bellostes.