New York City’s “The Standard” hotel has placed a video art installation in their elevators created by Marco Brambilla. The montage of over 400 video clips rises through stylized scenes from hell to heaven going up or vice versa going down.
Civilization by Marco Brambilla from CRUSH on Vimeo.
High quality version here: http://motionographer.com/theater/marco-brambilla-civilization/
The simple act of reducing wind resistance (or drag) could double a car’s gas mileage. It may not look pretty but it works.
Interestingly this technology was used in Germany in the 1930s.
http://www.aerocivic.com/
Video News story
http://www.wcnc.com/video/?nvid=242961
I thought it interesting that this idea hasn’t been exploited (or at least commercially) before. It probably has a lot to do with how it looks. I think the main thing is that it really only helps to a degree at high speeds. Since the guy has a 50 mile commute to work it really benefits him, otherwise if you’re just driving around town the effect would be minimal.
Another interesting thing, looking at some of the photos, how some of his modification panels are pretty rough. I mean not very smooth and aerodynamic like you’d think they’d need to be.
The other interesting thing is the negative effect the ethanol additive had on his gas mileage. I don’t quite understand his statement that he lost gas mileage but gained range.
I think the Aptera Electric vehicle uses a lot of these concepts.
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/video_player.shtml?vid=1104622
How would you like to power a small mini-bike or a wheel chair with your run-of-the-mill cordless drill? Now you can. They even have a nice little winch for lifting over 600lbs!
Researchers in Israel have come up with a road that can produce electricity as vehicles travel on it using piezoelectric crystals.
http://www.eta.co.uk/Roads-can-produce-electricity/node/11545
You don’t have to be a flash programmer to appreciate this fantastic animation.
This was done by Alan Becker, a (then) 16 year old and it took him three months to complete.
Cool little gadget that records what you write on paper, it can then be transfered to your computer.
Goodyear tire company borrowed the Goodyear name.
One thing needs to be said up front: Charles Goodyear, the American in this story, didn’t start the tire company. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was started by people he never knew, in a city he never visited, thirty-eight years after his death. Given the understandable (and not entirely accidental) confusion on this point, it bears mentioning that among the hundreds of potential uses for rubber envisioned by Charles Goodyear, the automobile tire was one he never foresaw, for the simple reason that the automobile had yet to be invented.
This is a very interesting book, and a highly cautionary tale. It tells the, often sad, story of Charles Goodyear and his fight to profit from his discovery. I highly recommend it.
Note: Ordering this book using this link generates a few pennies to help maintain the cost of this site. No extra fees are added to your purchase.
Check out these cool animated paper models. Yes, they are made out of paper!
Order and build one yourself!
http://www.flying-pig.co.uk/
That’s exactly what the Blender Foundation has done. Not only can you see the movie for free, you can download any of the elements that were used in the film. Even the software they used to create it.
Big Buck Bunny from Blender Foundation on Vimeo.
I built one of these using a styrofoam cup, but this is much better.