Steam Locomotives

A recreated CP # 60 steam locomotive at the Golden Spike National Historic Site in Utah - Photo: Wikimedia

The first steam locomotive was introduced in 1804. Everyone was very excited about what it could offer in regards to moving materials and even people. By today’s standards through the first steam locomotive was nothing impressive. The top speed was five miles per hour and it could haul up to 15 tons of material. Yet you have to remember that this was before automobiles so the steam locomotive offered fast speeds and more power than anything else during that period of time.

As time went by steam locomotives were able to become more powerful and move faster. This was due to new designs for both the steam engines and the tracks. From observing what wasn’t working inventors and scientists were able to implement new strategies that were quite effective. 

One thing you will immediately notice about the steam locomotives is their unique wheel design. This was done to resolve the problem of keeping a steel train in steel rails without slipping. Each steam locomotive actually features two sets of drive wheels. Even with the usefulness of steam locomotives, it took plenty of time to build them as well as to lay the tracks. The first railroad wasn’t ready for operation with the steam locomotives until 1825. 

Steam locomotives were the main type used for the railways from the early 1800’s until the 1950’s. It was at that time the majority of them were replaced by engines running off of diesel fuel. Steam locomotives are large, powerful pieces of machinery that were made from steel and heavy iron. The majority of them can only be found in various train museums today. There are still a few early steam locomotives in use for various types of recreational trains out there. 

If you visit steam locomotives featured in the various museums you will quickly notice all of the differences they offer. Each one was custom made for the railway company it was going to be delivered to. This is why the controls can be found in various locations, the sizes of the smokestacks are different, and even the type of steam whistle to let people know about approaching trains are different.

The concepts behind steam locomotives were very advanced for the 1800’s, but as technology advanced they were replaced by faster trains that could run on diesel fuel. Still, they are a vital part of the foundation that was built long ago for the railway industry. It is rumored that one day in the future steam locomotives will be making a come back. The cost of diesel fuel continues to rise and it does create a large amount of pollution for the environment. 

Of course, these new steam locomotives would have all of the latest features. Don’t expect to see a couple of people shoveling fuel into the compressor in order to generate enough steam to power it. All of the movement would be able to be done by the use of advanced parts that would allow this process to be automated. 

There is plenty of history to be found in the steam locomotives of the past. They provide us with useful information about the early development of the industrial revolution. The fact that early inventors were successful in building these steam engines with limited technology or information is amazing. It just goes to show you that great ideas can happen at any time. 

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Where to Find the Best BOOKBINDING Materials

How to tie the thread - Photo: Wikimedia

Whether you’ve just started your first bookbinding project, or have a few under your belt already, chances are you’re always looking for new places to find the best bookbinding materials to make your projects unique and durable. Here are a few places you may want to look, no matter what your budget.

Your local craft supply store is a great place to look for bookbinding materials since you’ll have found ways to creatively decorate your book covers as well. And, after you’ve done the foundational work of making sure that your book is sturdy and durable, you can use some of the materials that you’ll find in a craft store to add finishing touches to the book that only you can create. You can find the cords/rope that you’ll need to actually bind the books at a craft store, and you may even find leather binding materials to give your book a professional look and feel. 

Checking out your local bookstore is also a great idea when you’re searching for bookbinding materials. You can pick up books that will give you instructions on how to bind books of any size, and if you purchase the book, you can always refer back to it when you want to start working on a new bookbinding project. Book titles you may want to look for include Bookbinding: A Beginner’s Manual ( by  John Ashman), The Craft of Bookbinding (by Manly Banister), and Bookbinding and the Care of Books (by Douglas Cockrell). These books and books with similar titles can also be found at your local library.

You can also check out your local print shops or copy supply stores to find bookbinding materials that you can use. Office supply stores are great for finding ideas on how to bind smaller books, and you may even be able to get certain supplies at a discount if you buy in bulk. Checking with publishing companies in your area is also a great idea because you’ll be able to get tips on how to bind your books, and how to use the most affordable materials to do it. 

Of course, there are plenty of places online to find bookbinding materials, but it’s best to know where to look for the materials that will make your books the best they can possibly be. In addition to the right binding materials, you’ll also need binding needles, which are usually between $7-$13 and can be found at some craft stores, or at sites like www.artistsupplies.com. The Web can also give you lots of useful information on how to authentically bind your books to give them a Renaissance or Gothic look, as well as ways to make your books last longer, even when you bind them yourself. Once you find how which resources work best for you when it comes to bookbinding, you’ll definitely want to use your talent for more books in your home (i.e. photo albums, journals), and you may even begin to give your bound books as gifts to friends. Good luck!

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Archery Bows

Photo: Wikipedia

Archery has been the part of human civilization for ages; in fact, archery was extensively used in wars and for hunting. Ancient civilizations like Egyptian, Indian, Greek, and Persian boasts of great archers. These archers are still remembered and revered.     

Bows and arrows are the main constituents of archery. Studies have shown that the bows were developed in either early Mesolithic age or late Paleolithic age. Pines were used for making arrows.  

Bows are an indispensable part of archery. It helps an archer in properly aiming at the target and shooting the arrow. If the bows are not proper then the archer will face difficulties in mounting the arrow. If the arrows are not properly mounted then the archer won’t be able to properly shoot the target.

The archery bows commonly used are: longbow, shortbow, flatbow, recurve bow, crossbow and compound bow. Longbow, as the name suggests, is very long; the length of the bow is equal to the height of the user and in some cases even exceeds the height of the user. The limb of the Flatbow is wider and the cross-section is rectangular in shape.

Shortbow is shorter in length; it is lightweight and has a short range. It was basically used for hunting purpose. In crossbow, the limbs are mounted in a horizontal manner and not in a vertical manner. The compound bow is designed in such as manner that the archer is at his ease while mounting the bow. 

The arrow which is used along with the bow should also be made up of proper material and should be properly designed. The shaft used for making arrow should be of good material. The arrowhead which is at the front portion of the arrow directly points and hit the target. These arrowheads which are made of metals or some other materials are used to target points.  

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In order to properly shoot an arrow, the archer has to maintain the correct stance. The posture of the body, the eye and the way the archer is holding the bow should be in line. 

Sight shooting and instinctive shooting are the two methods adopted by an archer while shooting an arrow. In instinctive shooting, the archer has to completely concentrate on the target while shooting the arrow. It requires a lot of practice.

Whereas in case of sight shooting the archer can adjust the pins which are there on the bows to target an object, this is relatively easy. Previously instinctive shooting was the norm but at present sight, shooting is more preferred. 

The firearms displaced archery as it had many advantages over bows and arrows. They had long range, they were more lethal, using them did not require lots of training and no major skill was required to use these weapons.

  

Today archery has become a sporting activity; some even use it for recreational purposes. In sports too the archery bows used are different but there are set of guidelines provided by International Archery Federation regarding archery bows. Proper knowledge of archery bows and archery arrows will have those desirous of learning archery. 

Guns And HOME SECURITY

Home Security - Photo: Flickr

Guns have always been a sure way to protect yourself and your home, although things have changed quite a bit over the years.  Even though those who live in the United States have a right to bear arms, there are also certain responsibilities that come along as well.  Those who own guns have the responsibility of protecting their home and their family - and also their guns.  Anyone who owns a gun may have self-protection in mind - although he also has a priority to protect his guns as well.

Anyone who owns a gun should never allow them to fall into someone else’s hands.  To ensure this never happens, the gun owner should always keep his gun collection locked away in a safe or gun cabinet. You can get many different sizes of gun safes, that will hold a variable amount of guns. Anything can happen if the wrong individual gets a hold of your guns, which is why you should always make sure that they are well protected - and locked up.

Gun owners can protect their own property as well, by storing their guns in fireproof gun safes.  Fireproof gun safes can protect guns and keep them safe, even if everything else burns to the ground.  Even though gun owners have the responsibility to keep their guns out of the reach of others, they also have the right to ensure that no harm comes to their guns as well.

Fireproof guns safes will also keep guns safe from children as well.  All children are curious and like to get their hands on anything they can.  If you leave your guns lying around and not locked up, a child will eventually find it.  You should also ensure that your guns are never loaded either, as a child can really hurt himself if he finds a loaded gun.  Although you may keep your guns locked up in a fireproof safe - you should also make sure that the ammo is out of the guns and locked away in the safe as well.

Keep in mind that children may look for your gun on purpose, knowing that the guns are something that you use.  Therefore, simply putting your guns on a higher shelf doesn’t really protect your children.  If a child wants something bad enough, he or she will do anything possible to get it.  The only real way to keep your guns safe from children is to ensure that they are always locked up in fireproof safe or traditional gun safe.

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Children may show interest in guns at an early age, which can be a good thing but can also be a bad thing.  At a young age, a child won’t know anything about gun safety.  Therefore, if a child happens to come across your guns, bad things can happen.  If you have guns if your home, you should always make a point to teach your children gun safety.  This way, they will know that they aren’t allowed to handle your guns, and they’ll be aware of what can happen if they do.

By keeping your guns in a fireproof safe or traditional gun safe, you’ll keep your guns safe from children or others.  Fireproof safes will also keep your guns safe from fire as well, which makes them an ideal investment.  Although you can also get a traditional gun safe if you prefer, fireproof safes are by far the best way to go.  You can keep your guns safe from children, others, and even fire - which makes them more than worth the money.

How to Blow Smoke Rings with Your CIGAR

Smoking rings - Photo: Pixabay

Do you yearn to blow smoke rings with your cigar like a pro?  Stogie aficionados often speak of the ceremony-like deliberateness of smoking a good cigar.  Blowing smoke rings is the mark of a smoker who enjoys the smooth and relaxing effects of smoking.  But how do you blow a good smoke ring?  Some argue that it cannot be taught—that it will simply come to you with time and practice.  Regardless, here are a few tips to get you going.

Veteran smokers note that in order to blow a good smoke ring, you will need to create dense smoke.  Draw a deep, dense smoke puff into your mouth.  Hold the smoke there and then open your mouth slowly and deliberately.  Open your mouth, shaping your lips into a rounded 'O.' and pull your tongue back as you expel the smoke.  

Keep in mind that you are not exhaling the smoke, but simply pushing it out of your mouth.  Also, keep in mind that this maneuver will not work if there is even a slight breeze in the air.  Make sure you try it in a location with still calm air.  

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John F. Kennedy

J.F.Kenney - Photo: Wikipedia

In the life of this great nation, a few of its presidents have emerged from the pack as truly historic and memorable even more than others.  Of course, the presidents from the generation of the founding fathers certainly fit that bill including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.  And presidents that served the country in times of great crisis also are deeply honored in memory.  But in recent memory, there probably no other president that brings up emotions of respect and admiration as much as that of John F. Kennedy.

Kennedy seemed to capture the hearts of the American people in a way that was unique in presidents before or since.  Part of it may have been the era in history that the country was in when he became the President of the United States.  The historic time between 1950 and 1970 was a time when the largest generation of youth, now known as the “baby boomers”, was coming of age.  With them a new youth movement brought a sense of optimism, a “can do” attitude and to some extent a sense of revolution.  They were looking for new ways of seeing things, a new vision of the future and new leadership and John F. Kennedy was the perfect man of the hour to provide that leadership.

So much about Kennedy’s presidency has an aura of romance and almost a fairy tale excitement of it.  From the naming of his family estates “Camelot” to the love affair that the public had with the strikingly beautiful presidential couple, Jack and Jacqueline Kennedy.  That touch of magic extended to everything he did and virtually everybody in his family including his younger brother Robert who was idolized as well and almost certainly would have served as president had he not been tragically assassinated during his early bid for that office.

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But this was not to say that Kennedy was not a phenomenal leader.  He faced serious challenges.  The Cuban Missile Crisis may have been one of the most frightening showdowns between a nuclear Russia and a nuclear America that has ever happened in history.  When it became clear that Russia was beginning to build bases in Cuba and arm them with those terrible weapons, this was no time for a weak president.  Had Russia been able to bully Kennedy or intimidate the young president and put those missiles in Cuba, it seems certain that the outcome of the cold war would have been one of failure rather than success.  But Kennedy was not bullied or intimidated and using the power of his office, Kennedy stood his ground and stood ground for all Americans and forced the Russians to remove those missiles.  

But this was not the only great accomplishment of Kennedy’s administration.  It took a leader who had great vision and ability to inspire a nation as nobody else than John F. Kennedy could to set the sights of the nation on landing on the moon.  But Kennedy put that desire and that high calling in the hearts of his people and the nation rallied to finally see that man step out on the moon and declare, “This is one step for man, a giant leap for mankind.”  That was one of the proudest days in American history and it was Kennedy who inspired us to that kind of greatness.

As much as the life and leadership of John F. Kennedy perfectly exemplified the optimism and youthful zeal of a generation, his tragic assignation changed the country forever as well.  On that sad day of November 22, 1963, when Lee Harvey Oswald gunned down America’s beloved president, the hearts of Americans changed forever.

This was one of those days that almost everybody who was alive at the time, from school children to grandfathers remembered where they were when they heard the news.  Since we laid to rest this great leader, the presidency itself has never been the same.  While Americans will always respect their presidents, that sense of adoration for the man in the White House disappeared forever.  But the thing that did not disappear was the ongoing adoration of the man, John F. Kennedy, who inspired a generation and a nation to look forward to greatness and in the famous words of his inaugural address in 1961…

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Every Man Needs A TRUCK

Pickup - Photo: Pixabay

There are a few things in life that I'm quite sure of. I guess I have learned along the way and become convinced about more things as I've gotten older. For example, I am convinced that work is a normal and important part of life. Twenty years ago I thought I could somehow be the first person to make it through life without working. I've also realized that relationships are harder than anything else in life, but they are also the most valuable. 

My early years were about anything but relationships. Being married for the past fifteen years has only increased my learning curve about the things I'm sure of. I have always thought that men were different than women, but it took getting married for me to really be sure that they are. I've also become quite sure that every man needs a truck.

I remember hearing things growing up about how every man needs a truck to own and drive, but I never really believed it was true. I believed that men said they needed a truck just so that they would have an excuse to actually buy a truck and drive one. I've been around a lot of men in the past couple of decades and I'm quite sure that there is something actually tied between being a man and having a truck.

A truck has become the symbol of masculinity to me, for better or for worse. I feel a little weird anytime I see a woman driving a truck around town. I immediately feel like she must just be borrowing her husband's truck for the day, but then I immediately wonder why she would want to do that. I, for example, have never had the desire to own a truck or even to drive a truck. My husband has owned a truck since before we were married and so I have had my fair share of time in a truck and I still don't see the appeal. I simply see that my husband comes alive when he gets in his truck, cleans his truck, or starts talking about his truck with anyone who will listen. His truck has truly become his favorite possession and his pride and joy.

So women, let the men in your life get a truck. It will help them feel like a man. And men, if you've always been longing for a truck but haven't had the guts to make the purchase, let today be the day. Any size and kind of truck will do, just get one and start enjoying the fact that every man needs a truck.

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