Week Ending 17 May 2013
Published by Yes Let's Help
|
Amazing - The Antikythera Mechanism
| The Antikythera Mechanism - 2D |
More than 21 centuries ago, a mechanism of fabulous ingenuity was created in Greece, a device capable of indicating exactly how the sky would look for decades to come.
Incredibly it was able to show the position of the moon and sun, lunar phases and even eclipses.
But this invention would be drowned in the sea and its secret forgotten for two thousand years.
The accompanying video is a tribute from Swiss clock-maker Hublot and film-maker Philippe Nicolet to this device, known as the Antikythera Mechanism, or the world's "first computer".
The fragments of the Mechanism were discovered in 1901 by sponge divers near the island of Antikythera. It is kept since then at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, Greece.
For more than a century, researchers were trying to understand its functions. Now, with the use of the latest technology, it is possible understand the mechanism and finally create a modern day replica.
To be amazed Click Here
|
Quirky Quips by David Cummings | |
I have kleptomania. When it gets bad
I just take something.
|
Riding Along On My Pushbike Honey
|
We know it went viral, but...
| Disguised Jeff Gordon Pro Driver Scary Test Drive |
We know it went viral, and we know it advertises a coke, but we still could not resist publishing this clip brought to our attention by an avid reader.
And we also know many people think it's a spoof.
Whether it is or not we'll leave up to you, but for our money it's phoney (does that spell funny?)
Anyway, in it we see American Stock Car racer, Jeff Gordon, take a Camaro for an "unusual" test drive.
Pretending to be a rookie he takes the car salesman for the ride of his life, putting the shoe on other foot some would say.
Bear in mind when you see this, that Jeff is a four times NASCAR series winner and that he has 87 career wins to his name.
All this and he's only 5' 7", but with a persona that is way, way bigger.
Spoof or not? To check it out Click Here
|
Bring Back The Memories
|
Swing Time -
Rogers and Astaire
|
Fred Astaire was born Frederick Austerlitz on May 10 1899 and had broken into Broadway by 1917.
He went on to become one of America's favourite entertainers as a stage dancer, choreographer, singer, musician and actor.
His stage and subsequent film career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films.
Gene Kelly, another major innovator in filmed dance, said that "the history of dance on film begins with Astaire".
Beyond film and television, many classical dancers and choreographers, Rudolf Nureyev, Sammy Davis, Jr., Michael Jackson, Gregory Hines, Mikhail Baryshnikov, George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins among them, also acknowledged his importance and influence.
He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute. He is particularly associated with Ginger Rogers*, with whom he made ten films.
* Those who wish to steal his thunder say Ginger did everything did, but in high heels and backwards.
For dazzling dancing Click Here
|
The World's Oldest Running Car
| Auction of the Oldest Running Motor October 7, 2011 |
Hard to believe but the oldest car still running was produced in 1884. It was an internal combustion vehicle and followed the earlier development on a car with a steam engine.
The earlier steam engine car had a boiler and engine mounted at the front, driving the front wheels by belts and steering with the rear, it burned to the ground on trials.
But 1884 finally saw the arrival of the De Dion, Bouton et Trepardou Dos-�-Dos a car that is still running today, 129 years later.
It proved its worth in 1887 when it was in "Europe's first motoring competition".
Evidently, the promotion was insufficient, for the De Dion was the sole entrant, but it completed the course, with de Dion at the tiller, and was clocked at 60 km/h (37 mph).
The vehicle survives, in road-worthy condition, and has been a regular entry in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
It last changed hand in 2011. If you're a veteran car buff and want to see it running Click Here
|
The "Greatest" Bargain in History
It is generally related that Manhattan was purchased by Peter Minuit on 7 May 1626 from unnamed Native American people in exchange for trade goods worth 60 guilders, then said to be worth 24 US$.
However, by comparison with the price of bread and other goods the price was probably nearer $1,000 in modern currency.
It was originally named New Amsterdam but after conquest by the English it was renamed it "New York" after the English Duke of York and Albany, who later became King James II.
The purchase of Manhattan Island is said to be one of the greatest bargains of all time, but if the above-mentioned $24 had been invested, at 8 per cent annually, it would have been worth more than $28 trillion by 1995,
With that sum you could purchase Manhattan and still have money over to buy most of L.A. Clearly compound interest is not something to be sneezed at.
Want more history? Click Here
|
|
|
Follow Us On
|
Supported Charities
Yes Let's Help proudly supports:-
Your help as a Sponsor or Supporter will be greatly appreciated.
Please for further information |
About Yes Let's Help
Yes Let's Help is a virtual community that brings together:- - Individuals
- Charities &
- Businesses to
Help support People & Causes in need. It uses a:- To help users Find each other and communicate Features allow you to:- Please feel free to join us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook or set up your own WebPage if you are a :- - Charity
- Good Cause
- Sponsor
- Supporter
|
Have Your Say
Do you have thoughts, stories, images, opinions or future events that you would like to share?
Then have your say by emailing [email protected]
We really would appreciate your
input and look
forward to
hearing
from
you
!
|
|