VA Viper: 2017-09-17

Friday, September 22, 2017

Friday links

Watch this kid show his dad how to make Leonardo da Vinci’s self-supporting bridge.

How Nestlé Makes Billions Bottling Water It Pays Almost Nothing For.

It's the first day of Fall - autumnal equinox science, videos, poetry, music.

Fear ye the ducking stool, ye common scolds.

The book wheel: A rotating reading desk for 16th century, perfect for those "tormented by gout".

ICYMI, Wednesday's links are here, and include Alexander Graham Bell’s tetrahedral kites, the 1869 near-war between the United States and Britain, and Joshua Norton, Emperor of the United States.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Watch this kid show his dad how to make Leonardo da Vinci’s self-supporting bridge

Using a series of wooden poles and beams, this kid shows his dad how to build Leonardo da Vinci's (wiki) self-supporting arch bridge, also known as the emergency bridge, without nails, screws, rope, glues, notches, or any other fasteners.

They've made this with 5 sections, but you could make it with many more - each section increases the height as well as the length. I'm sure there's an upper limit to the number of sections that would work, but I don't know what it is.

Here's a set of instructions for a popsicle stick version: Da Vinci Popsicle Stick Bridge, and here's a wooden kit.

In 1482, before he was famous, Da Vinci (April 15, 1452 - May 2, 1519) was looking for work. He sent his resume to the Duke of Milan, listing several useful skills he could provide, including the bridge:

I have a sort of extremely light and strong bridges, adapted to be most easily carried, and with them you may pursue, and at any time flee from the enemy; and others, secure and indestructible by fire and battle, easy and convenient to lift and place. Also methods of burning and destroying those of the enemy.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Wednesday links

Hey, Firefly fans - It's Unification Day.

Joshua Norton, Emperor of the United States.

The origins of Kotex.

In 1859, the United States and Britain Almost Went to War Over a Pig.

A Secret World Hidden Beneath the Vineyards of Champagne.

Alexander Graham Bell’s Tetrahedral Kites (1903–9).

ICYMI, Tuesday's links are here, and include Talk Like a Pirate Day, the 1899 Johnstown flood that killed 2,000 people, and why blue is the world's favorite color.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Tuesday links

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day, me hearties! Instructions, translators, and the Dave Barry column that started it.

Is there a single food that you can survive on forever?

How Grand Pianos are Made.

Why Blue Is the World’s Favorite Color.

The devastating 1889 Johnstown Flood killed over 2,000 people in minutes.

Bacteria from elite athletes’ poop might boost sports performance.

ICYMI, Monday's links are here, and include the blue-skinned family, Dr. Samuel Johnson's birthday, the now-abandoned Russian town that was aiming nuclear missiles at America from just 125 miles away, and the Illinois Pre-Columbian settlement of Cahokia.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day, me hearties!

Avast!

Pirate history books.

“What’s My Pirate Name” generator.

A Pirate’s Glossary of Terms – An extensive (and more historically accurate) listing of pirate terms and phrases,

Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue – Compiled in 1811 bu Captain Francis Grose, purports to define the language of cuthroats, cutpurses and others in the London underworld, but it makes a fine pirate reference book, too!

The Talk Like A Pirate Day Song.

A 12-step program for drawing a pirate.

"Cap'n Slappy" and "Ol' Chumbucket", the
founders of Talk Like a Pirate Day

Pirate stuff for kids.

17 Swashbuckling Facts About Talk Like A Pirate Day.

Wikipedia page.

Instructions: How to talk like a pirate.

Time magazine article: Arrrggg You Serious? How to Truly Talk Like a Pirate.

Here's an English to Pirate translator, and a Pirate Quote Generator, for those occasions when just translating a word or two isn’t enough.

Dave Barry's Talk Like a Pirate column from 2010: Is that a yardarm in your doubloons, or are you just glad to see me?

Pirate costumes to buy or make yourself.

Monday links

Dr. Samuel Johnson (wiki) was born on this date in 1709: here's a selection of his insults and Scotland-bashing comments.

The now-abandoned Russian town that was aiming nuclear missiles at America from just 125 miles away.

How to Get Breasts like Apples: Beauty Tips for the Early Modern Woman.

How the Frozen Lake Battle in Game of Thrones Was Filmed.

This Family Has Had Blue Skin For Centuries — Here’s Why.

The Mysterious Illinois Pre-Columbian Settlement of Cahokia.

ICYMI, Friday's links are here, and include 19th century money saving tips, IBM’s 1937 corporate songbook, the definitive sandwich family tree, and how honey is harvested.