Lovely Robot Run
As an antidote to the disturbing robot mule, here is the sweet face of robotics - the charming Asimo running, walking hand in hand with a Japanese lady, and tentatively delivering coffee to some businesswomen.
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July 28, 2007
July 24, 2007
Frightening Robotic Mule
I'm not sure what it is about this robot mule used by the army that makes it so disturbing. Something about the very realistic knees that all go the wrong way. Also I don't like the way they kick it - although this is apparently to demonstrate its amazing reflexes. Don't kick the robot mule! The army are encountering some unexpected problems with their growing use of robots to carry out dangerous tasks: like the colonel who put a stop to a robot testing land mines because it was inhumane.
July 23, 2007
Netsuke
Curious Expeditions has a beautiful set of pictures of Japanese netsuke. These are apparently toggles that were used on traditional kimonos – but rather than simple buttons they are tiny sculptures carved from coral, horn, amber etc. My favourite is this one:
July 17, 2007
Roboswift
This shape-shifting robot has been designed to slip in unnoticed among a flock of real swifts so scientists can study their hyperefficient flying technique. "They are really agile and to study them you have really got to fly close to them - and look like them," says David Lentink of Wageningen University in the Netherlands. "Some birds will attack any model aircraft that comes close," he adds, in the New Scientist.
July 16, 2007
Pomona Britannica
The NYPL Digital Gallery has this 'collection of the most esteemed fruits at present cultivated' in Britain from 1812 by George Brookshaw. They certainly had a better choice of esteemed fruits in those days - sixteen varieties of gooseberry:
Hoboy, chili and Scarlet-flesh pine strawberries:
The peachiest peaches, from the Black Peach of Montreal to La Teton de Venus and Violette Hative:
Cloth of Gold, White gage and Blue gages along with the green:
and the weirdest apples, from Norfolk Paradise to Spitsburgh Pippins to Kirk's Scarlet Admirable and Sullenworth Rennet:
Bring back Bigg's Nonsuch! That's what I say.
July 8, 2007
Thomas Bewick
I am related to this 18th-century wood engraver and naturalist, although exactly how I cannot say. He had some familiar preoccupations:
Birds, stags and monkey cooks - some of my favourite things. And a puffin, which I am keen on, having seen some floating about off Skye recently. They are unexpectedly tiny in real life.
I was glad to discover that there is a statue to my illustrious ancestor in Newcastle:
although its setting is a little surprising:
July 7, 2007
Diatomite Railway
The Fed by Birds summer excursion has taken place with great success, to the isle of Skye. Highly recommended is a walk along the remains of the tiny Lealt Valley railway, which used to take diatomite – made of these:
from Loch Cuithir down an impressive waterfall gorge to the shore, where it was processed to be made into face powder and dynamite. Don't worry if it's raining: the weather changes about every five minutes, and the rain clouds make the green mountains behind loom up delightfully. If you haven't got a car, the 57 bus on the main road will take you on a magical mystery tour all the way round the peninsula (anti-clockwise). An added bonus: on Skye it doesn't get properly dark at this time of year – it just goes blue:
July 3, 2007
The Morton-Wimhurst Holtz Influence Machine Never Disappoints
I have no idea what holtz influencing is. Or what these other mysterious contraptions do. But I want the one that Sparks every day Rain or Shine.
Insect Brains
Interesting piece on experiments on cockroach consciousness, via Spectacularly Obtuse.
"Even a breeze from a door opening can ruin a couple hours of work."
July 2, 2007
Dancing on the Moon
Animals take a romantic rocket trip in this lovely Max Fleischer cartoon from 1935.
