Magnetic deviation, lightning calculators, nomograms and more “lost arts in the mathematical sciences” at Dead Reckonings. Related: Satellite navigation in the 18th century.
Optical telegraph in the Netherlands
September 6, 2009 by Filed Under: Communication, History, Obsolete technology, Random
The communications device was located on the beach of Scheveningen in the 1700s. More on the optical telegraph: Email in the 18th century. Source: geschiedenis van de techniek in Nederland.
Why Paper Is Eternal
“There are modes of learning and thinking that at the moment are only available from actual books. There is a kind of deep-dive, meditative reading that’s almost impossible to do on a screen. Without books, students are more likely to do the grazing or quick reading that screens enable, rather than be by themselves with the author’s ideas.” Read: Welcome to the library. Say goodbye to the books (via). See (and print…) also this 75-page essay: “Hamlet’s Blackberry: why paper is eternal“.
Can Cars
More pictures and plans at Sandy’s Can Cars (via Ikkaro). Related: 26 paper models of vintage cars.
Cycle Chics
September 1, 2009 by Filed Under: Bikes, Pedal power, Travel
Fast cars are considered sexy, but we disagree – try to show off your legs when you are driving a sports car or an SUV. More pictures of biking boys and (especially) girls at Copenhagen Cycle Chic. Their motto: “Style over speed”.
1920s Off-Road Vehicles
August 31, 2009 by Filed Under: Cars, Obsolete technology, Tractors, Travel
Click on the image to view the pictures in high resolution. Source: Mémoires et compte rendu des traveaux de la société des ingénieurs civils, Vol.113, 1924.
