Flight efforts during the 19th and 20th centuries

Wilbur Wright in seinem Flieger mit Fluggast Ernest Zeus - Photo: Wikimedia

The first person to plan and build a practical manned glider that can fly over long distances is a German engineer named Otto Lilienthal.  Studying aerodynamics, on 1891 he concentrated his efforts on building a glider that can fly.

Otto Lilienthal was captivated by the thought that one day there would be manned flying machines.  On 1889, he published a book on aerodynamics.  This book was conceptualized from his studies of birds in flight.  The Wright Brothers, later on, referred to this book to build their successful aircraft. 

Otto Lilienthal died tragically in a plane crash.  Strong winds made him lose control of the craft causing it to crash back to earth.  This happened after his 2,500th flight.

Another milestone in flight history is on 1891 when the aerodrome flew to nearly a mile after exhausting its fuel.  The aerodrome’s inventor is Samuel Langley.  He is a physicist and astronomer; he recognized that power was needed in man’s quest for flight. This was his greatest contribution to flight, putting up a power plant to a glider.  His experiments with whirling arms and steam-powered engine resulted in a plane model he called aerodrome.

Langley received a grant of $50,000, which was purposely given for creating a full-sized aerodrome.  This plane crashed because it was too heavy.  Langley gave up his dreams of flight because of this disappointment.  Langley was a director of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D. C.

On 1894, Engineer Octave Chanute invented the Herring - Chanute biplane.  The biplane the Wright brothers built was based on this aircraft.   Inspired by Otto Lilienthal, inventing airplanes became Octave Chanute’s hobby.

Chanute collected all technical information about aviation accomplishments and its pioneers all over the world.  This information was made into a book entitled “Progress in Flying Machines,” this was published in 1894.  Many experiments of the Wright Brothers were based on this book.  Chanute even came to know the Wright Brothers and encouraged their progress.

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Orville and Wilbur Wright were standing on the shoulders of the aviation pioneers.  They spent a few years studying the pioneers' work and development with regards flight.  They read books and other materials written on the topic.  Next was challenging their theories on balloons and kites.  They learned relationships of wind with surface and flight.  Experiments followed using different shapes for gliders and how to control their flight.

To test the different wing shapes and tails it was placed inside a wind tunnel.  Tests were also done in the North Carolina Outer Banks dunes; this is where they discovered the most promising glider shape.  When this happened, they focused their attention on designing an engine and mechanism to launch and put the glider to fly.

On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, the “Flyer” was recorded the first heavier-than-air flight plane and Orville Wright as the first man to fly the plane.  It launched from ground level and flew all the way to the north of Big Kill Devil Hill in twelve seconds, covering a distance of one hundred twenty feet.  The Flyer totaled six hundred and five pounds.

Dreams of human flight now came true.  Development of more advanced airplanes was seen during the next century.  These planes were developed for various purposes like transporting people, cargo, the military, and their weapons.

All the advances in aviation in the 20th century were based on this first flight at Kitty Hawk according to Wilbur and Orville Wright.

POKER: From the Kitchen Table to the Casino

Poker - Photo: Pixabay

Nowadays, gambling has become so popular it's gone digital. That's right, it's possible that everywhere you click there's gonna be a banner or popup ad with sparkling chips enticing you to enter the world of gambling online. The most popular game of all could easily be casino poker. In fact, it has become so popular that it has been a usual complaint about many bloggers to be receiving comment spam on casino poker.

What is casino poker exactly, and how do you go about it? You may have played the game before in the comfort of your own home but keep in mind that casino poker is very different in the actual cardroom. It is a game of skill where you compete against other players instead of the house. The stakes don't have to be sky-high. In fact, if after reading this article you feel like playing your way to the World Series of Poker, we won't stop you. Just remember that luck comes and goes, but knowledge stays forever. A fitting adage to the world of casino poker.

In learning to play the game, there are a few essentials to acquire. First, a book to teach you the basics. The thing to get next would be a video you can watch and help back up what you learned from words. Finally, for practice, a tutorial software program. After all, you need to gather some skills before you can start risking your money in the casino. Better yet, if you have a cardsharp for a friend, ask him to help you out with your game, and hopefully, in the process, you may get to pick up some invaluable tips and tricks.

Also, it is wise to take advantage of the free casino poker lessons, if any, offered by your friendly neighborhood casino. Games are played using nonvalue chips, and lessons are started with a brief overview of the game (in this case, casino poker) before you start playing. The instructor points out any mistakes you make which helps you gain confidence and get a feel of the game before actually entering the poker room. 

For beginners, there are two low-limit casino poker games that are often played: Seven-card stud and Limit Texas Hold'em Poker. These might be good places to start should you decide to step into the arena, the actual gamble, of casino poker. The minimum bet requirement is usually 3$-6$ per game which makes those games popular choices for beginners. 

Feel ready for your own game of casino poker yet? You tired of being a mere spectator from the sidelines? Then get on up, off your seat, to the nearest casino! But if there's no casino in the vicinity right now, not to worry. Casino poker's gone digital, remember? There are several casinos online to cater to your every pokerish whim. All you need is your shiny plastic credit card and the legal age to join. And then use your search engine and find the right site for you.

Casino poker is more than just a game with stakes to play for. It involves skill and sharpness of the mind, involving every emotional high - the adrenaline rush of a fold, the excitement of a win, not to mention the deepest pits of emotional hell when the stakes are high and the game is lost. This is definitely something to try out if you need some action of your own.

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What You Need to Know About Nitro RC Cars

Radio-controlled 1/8 scaled nitro racing buggy - Photo: Wikimedia

Because of the movie "The Fast and the Furious" many people today think that the word "nitro" means having something extra on your car that boosts its speed. Thus, many people who encounter the term "Nitro RC Car" think that it refers to an RC car that's been upgraded. 

This thinking could also be due to the fact that many people think that gas powered RC cars actually run on gasoline. This is a very wrong assumption. The term "Nitro RC Car" is actually synonymous with "gas powered RC car" because of the fact that this type of RC car uses a specialized mixture of nitromethane and lubricant to run. 

So what do you need to get started with Nitro RC cars?

1) Experience- Before you go ahead and get a Nitro RC car, you need to have sufficient experience with an electric RC car. This is because of the fact that Nitro RC cars can be too much to handle if you are a noob in RC car usage. This is the reason why people who want to get into the hobby of RC cars are advised to get electric RC cars before they move on to Nitro RC cars. 

2) Interest- Without the right interest to drive you, why would you get into Nitro RC cars? You need to have some reason in order to truly get something from the hobby of Nitro RC cars. This is because Nitro RC cars will cost you some money and nobody spends money on something that they will not profit from in some way. The "profit" in this case does not refer to financial gain exclusively.

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3) Information- You need to know different things before you get started with Nitro RC cars. This is because Nitro RC car racing can be a very complicated business. Having the right information can help you a lot in getting the car that you want and taking care of it. In fact, having the right information about Nitro RC cars can help you profit from the hobby financially.

4) The right materials- Many people wonder exactly what tools and materials you need to get into the Nitro RC car hobby. Here are just some of the things you are going to need:

a) Nitro RC car kit- This pretty much contains everything you are going to need to build yourself a "basic" Nitro RC car. This is a kit containing what you need to build the car itself including the engine, the chassis, and the whole enchilada. Beginners are advised to stick to the specifications found in the manual included with Nitro RC car kits. As you progress in the hobby, you may want to divert from the basic look of your car and start customizing your vehicle.

b) Fuel- The nitromethane-castor oil mixture used in powering Nitro RC cars can be found in various hobby shops and stores. Remember: you must never attempt to use gasoline to run your Nitro RC car. The fuel used to run Nitro RC cars is less volatile than gasoline for the reason that the engine may explode if used with gasoline. This means that if you want to enjoy the Nitro RC car hobby for a long time, use only the type of fuel recommended. By doing so, you will ensure that Nitro RC car racing will grow with you.

Causes of US Involvement in World War II

Four US-Soldiers watching allied bombardment - Photo: Wikimedia

Following World War I, the United States adopted an isolationist stance. Starting in 1935, Congress even passed various neutrality acts to enforce the will against foreign entanglement. But by December of 1941, President Roosevelt’s formal declaration of war made this legislation irrelevant. 

Although America attempted isolationism, European and Asian affairs brought global tension that eventually hit the country’s traditional allies. An aim of World War I had been “to make the world safe for democracy”, but democracy in the 1930s was increasingly endangered. The roots of World War II lay in the totalitarian leaders of Asia and Europe and their agendas for expansion. 

Totalitarianism emerged in the Soviet Union, Italy, Spain, and Germany. The fascist leaders had expansionist goals and soon crushed neighboring societies. Italy invaded Ethiopia and established Italian East Africa. Meanwhile, Japan invaded Manchuria, seized Chinese land, and occupied French possessions in Southeast Asia.

In 1938 Europe, the war officially began when Germany’s Adolf Hitler invaded Austria and took Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland, which was home to 3.5 million ethnic Germans. Hitler claimed he was only “restoring rightful boundaries”, since Germany had lost territory in World War I. But Hitler had ideas of widespread domination. In 1939 he and Mussolini created the Rome-Berlin Axis alliance, a military agreement designed to last ten years. Japan entered the pact later that year. Hitler had the confidence to invade Poland in 1939. Poland’s allies, England and France, therefore declared war on Germany. America’s traditional allies were at war.

Initially, President Franklin Roosevelt limited his aid to arms sales, which were restricted in a neutrality act. But Hitler’s invasions continued. He took Denmark, Norway, and Holland, and the Belgian king surrendered his army shortly thereafter. And in June of 1940, France succumbed to Nazi forces. The Axis alliance now dominated Europe from the North Cape of Africa to the Pyrenees. Great Britain’s Winston Churchill vowed to continue the battle for democracy.

Churchill soon needed military aid, and Roosevelt declared that the United States must become “the great arsenal of democracy”. By 1941, he officially ended the country’s isolationist stance by passing the Lend Lease Act, which lifted restrictions on supporting foreign troops with defense gear; the Act first appropriated $7 billion to lend or lease supplies to any countries the president designated. President Roosevelt also started to call US National Guard members to war training.

Next, the Americans built a base in Greenland. Then, stationed aboard warships near Newfoundland, Roosevelt and Churchill issued the Atlantic Charter in June of 1941. Although the US had not officially entered the war, the Atlantic Charter presented the two countries’ goals for a war against fascism. It included their disinterest in acquiring new territories through the war. Shortly thereafter, the US became involved in the years-long Battle of the Atlantic.

The United States officially entered World War II in December of 1941. Japanese military leaders, led by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, attacked a US naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The Japanese limed to destroy the US fleet docked in the Pacific, thus leaving the Japanese free to pursue oil mines in the region. A series of aerial attacks by 361 airplanes succeeded in compromising eight important warships. The air attacks also killed more than 2,300 people. The following day, President Roosevelt asked Congress for a declaration of war against Japan. Congress obliged. By the time of this official declaration, there were battles to fight on many fronts, but “Remember Pearl Harbor!” became a rallying cry for the war. 

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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.