History of automotive spark plugs:
History of automotive brakes:
History of automotive wiring:
History of fuel injection in automobiles:
All on the New Mind YouTube channel.
Modern History (1800 – present)
Re: Modern History (1800 – present)
^^^ One of the most noticeable differences in day-to-day life is the deterioration in the quality of service one receives virtually across the board. At first, I thought maybe it was just my wife's and I's version of "what is this younger generation coming to." That is a theme that seems to persist and is passed down from generation to generation. Yet lately, the more I talk with all sorts of people on the subject, the more the same theme emerges. A couple of causes that I think are in play:
1) Worker alienation. This affects worker morale and thus the incentive to provide excellent service.
2) The proliferation of phone tree answering services that seek to provide answers to inquiries without having a live person involved. They seem to be invariably poorly designed, meaning that you feel compelled to wade through them only to finally make your way to a live operator. To add insult to injury, when you think your problem has been resolved, you find out later that it is still an unresolved issue. The live operator turns out not to have resolved the problem after all. Meaning that you have to go back to square one and start all over
This is all getting to be as predictable as the rising of the sun.
1) Worker alienation. This affects worker morale and thus the incentive to provide excellent service.
2) The proliferation of phone tree answering services that seek to provide answers to inquiries without having a live person involved. They seem to be invariably poorly designed, meaning that you feel compelled to wade through them only to finally make your way to a live operator. To add insult to injury, when you think your problem has been resolved, you find out later that it is still an unresolved issue. The live operator turns out not to have resolved the problem after all. Meaning that you have to go back to square one and start all over
This is all getting to be as predictable as the rising of the sun.
Don't mourn, organize.
-Joe Hill
-Joe Hill
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Time_Traveller
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Re: Modern History (1800 – present)
Jack the Ripper police serial killer file found with photos and letters after 136 years
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/j ... r-3236884212:16, 16 Mar 2024
A Jack the Ripper police file has been found after 136 years by the great-grandson of a detective who investigated the case.
The archive has two photographs of Michael Ostrog, an early suspect for the Victorian serial killer and the only copy in existence of the so-called Saucy Jack postcard the Ripper purportedly sent to the police to taunt them. The original postcard is long-lost, making this facsimile copy the only one.
The archive also contains a copy of the 'Dear Boss' letter, a chilling note sent by the murderer to the police which he signed off as 'Jack the Ripper', which was the first time the name was referenced.
The murderer boasted about killing his female victims and warned police that his knife was 'still nice and sharp'. The original letter is held in the National Archives at Kew and there are only a few copies of it around. And there is a grim photograph of the body of Ripper victim Mary Ann Nichols in the morgue.
The file was kept by Inspector Joseph Henry Helson who was serving in the Metropolitan Police when the infamous serial killer murdered five women in Whitechapel in 1888. He worked on the murder of Nichols, an East End prostitute who was the Ripper's first victim.
“In the quantum multiverse, every choice, every decision you've ever and never made exists in an unimaginably vast ensemble of parallel universes.”
Re: Modern History (1800 – present)
One of the worst disasters in post-war British history.
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Aberfan disaster
The Aberfan disaster was the catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip on 21 October 1966. The tip had been created on a mountain slope above the Welsh village of Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil, and overlaid a natural spring. Heavy rain led to a build-up of water within the tip which caused it to suddenly slide downhill as a slurry, killing 116 children and 28 adults as it engulfed Pantglas Junior School and a row of houses. The tip was the responsibility of the National Coal Board (NCB), and the subsequent inquiry placed the blame for the disaster on the organisation and nine named employees.
There were seven spoil tips on the hills above Aberfan; Tip 7—the one that slipped onto the village—was started in 1958 and, at the time of the disaster, was 111 feet (34 m) high. In contravention of the NCB's procedures, the tip was partly based on ground from which springs emerged. After three weeks of heavy rain the tip was saturated and approximately 140,000 cubic yards (110,000 m3) of spoil slipped down the side of the hill and onto the Pantglas area of the village. The main building hit was the local junior school, where lessons had just begun; 5 teachers and 109 children were killed.
An official inquiry was chaired by Lord Justice Edmund Davies. The report placed the blame squarely on the NCB. The organisation's chairman, Lord Robens, was criticised for making misleading statements and for not providing clarity as to the NCB's knowledge of the presence of water springs on the hillside. Neither the NCB nor any of its employees were prosecuted and the organisation was not fined.
The Aberfan Disaster Memorial Fund (ADMF) was established on the day of the disaster. It received nearly 88,000 contributions, totalling £1.75 million. The remaining tips were removed only after a lengthy fight by Aberfan residents against resistance from the NCB and the government on the grounds of cost. The site's clearance was paid for by a government grant and a forced contribution of £150,000 taken from the memorial fund. In 1997 the British government paid back the £150,000 to the ADMF, and in 2007 the Welsh Government donated £1.5 million to the fund and £500,000 to the Aberfan Education Charity as recompense for the money wrongly taken. Many of the village's residents developed medical problems as a result of the disaster, and half the survivors have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder at some time in their lives.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberfan_disaster
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Aberfan disaster
The Aberfan disaster was the catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip on 21 October 1966. The tip had been created on a mountain slope above the Welsh village of Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil, and overlaid a natural spring. Heavy rain led to a build-up of water within the tip which caused it to suddenly slide downhill as a slurry, killing 116 children and 28 adults as it engulfed Pantglas Junior School and a row of houses. The tip was the responsibility of the National Coal Board (NCB), and the subsequent inquiry placed the blame for the disaster on the organisation and nine named employees.
There were seven spoil tips on the hills above Aberfan; Tip 7—the one that slipped onto the village—was started in 1958 and, at the time of the disaster, was 111 feet (34 m) high. In contravention of the NCB's procedures, the tip was partly based on ground from which springs emerged. After three weeks of heavy rain the tip was saturated and approximately 140,000 cubic yards (110,000 m3) of spoil slipped down the side of the hill and onto the Pantglas area of the village. The main building hit was the local junior school, where lessons had just begun; 5 teachers and 109 children were killed.
An official inquiry was chaired by Lord Justice Edmund Davies. The report placed the blame squarely on the NCB. The organisation's chairman, Lord Robens, was criticised for making misleading statements and for not providing clarity as to the NCB's knowledge of the presence of water springs on the hillside. Neither the NCB nor any of its employees were prosecuted and the organisation was not fined.
The Aberfan Disaster Memorial Fund (ADMF) was established on the day of the disaster. It received nearly 88,000 contributions, totalling £1.75 million. The remaining tips were removed only after a lengthy fight by Aberfan residents against resistance from the NCB and the government on the grounds of cost. The site's clearance was paid for by a government grant and a forced contribution of £150,000 taken from the memorial fund. In 1997 the British government paid back the £150,000 to the ADMF, and in 2007 the Welsh Government donated £1.5 million to the fund and £500,000 to the Aberfan Education Charity as recompense for the money wrongly taken. Many of the village's residents developed medical problems as a result of the disaster, and half the survivors have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder at some time in their lives.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberfan_disaster
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Time_Traveller
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Re: Modern History (1800 – present)
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona ‘will be completed in 2026’
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/ ... 6-stairwayMon 25 Mar 2024 05.00 GMT
Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica has a new completion date of 2026, which will come 144 years after the first stone was laid.
The president of the organisation tasked with completing Antoni Gaudí’s masterwork announced the date last Wednesday, which coincides with the centenary of the death of the building’s architect.
Esteve Camps said they had the money and material to finish the building, including the 172.5-metre central tower dedicated to Jesus Christ, making the Sagrada Familia Barcelona’s tallest building.
Although the building is set to be complete by 2026, work on sculptures and decorative details and, above all, the controversial stairway leading to what will eventually be the main entrance, is expected to continue until 2034.
When work began in 1882 the site was open farmland but in the intervening years the city has grown up around the church. The stairway, which would extend across two large city blocks, would involve dislodging about 1,000 families and businesses.
“In the quantum multiverse, every choice, every decision you've ever and never made exists in an unimaginably vast ensemble of parallel universes.”
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Tadasuke
Re: Modern History (1800 – present)
I've been wondering how do people if and after they actually learn how extremely tragic, full of misfortune and poverty, stupidity, insanity, subjugation, illness, death and destruction the past was, they can still feel joy, happiness, will to live, motivation and even want to have children, and not for a few days, but for decades.
I don't understand that. I've been trying, but I don't understand. I guess it's depression.
I don't understand that. I've been trying, but I don't understand. I guess it's depression.
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Time_Traveller
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Re: Modern History (1800 – present)
Asante Gold: UK returns looted Ghana artefacts after 150 years
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-687895125 hours ago
The UK has returned dozens of artefacts looted from what is today Ghana - more than 150 years after they were taken.
Some 32 gold and silver items have been sent on long-term loan to the country by the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and the British Museum.
They were stolen from the court of the Asante king, known as the Asantehene, during 19th century conflicts between the British and powerful Asante people.
The objects are expected to be returned to the current king on Friday.
His chief negotiator, Ivor Agyeman-Duah, told the BBC that the objects are currently in "safe hands" in Ghana ahead of them being formally received.
“In the quantum multiverse, every choice, every decision you've ever and never made exists in an unimaginably vast ensemble of parallel universes.”
Re: Modern History (1800 – present)
Beer Hall Putsch
The Beer Hall Putsch, also known as the Munich Putsch, was a failed coup d'état by Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler, Generalquartiermeister Erich Ludendorff and other Kampfbund leaders in Munich, Bavaria, on 8–9 November 1923, during the Weimar Republic. Approximately two thousand Nazis marched on the Feldherrnhalle, in the city centre, but were confronted by a police cordon, which resulted in the deaths of 15 Nazis, four police officers, and one bystander.
Hitler escaped immediate arrest and was spirited off to safety in the countryside. After two days, he was arrested and charged with treason.
The putsch brought Hitler to the attention of the German nation for the first time and generated front-page headlines in newspapers around the world. His arrest was followed by a 24-day trial, which was widely publicised and gave him a platform to express his nationalist sentiments. Hitler was found guilty of treason and sentenced to five years in Landsberg Prison, where he dictated Mein Kampf to fellow prisoners Emil Maurice and Rudolf Hess. On 20 December 1924, having served only nine months, Hitler was released. Once released, Hitler redirected his focus towards obtaining power through legal means rather than by revolution or force, and accordingly changed his tactics, further developing Nazi propaganda.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_Hall_Putsch
Bundesarchiv, Bild 119-1486 / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by ... de/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons
The Beer Hall Putsch, also known as the Munich Putsch, was a failed coup d'état by Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler, Generalquartiermeister Erich Ludendorff and other Kampfbund leaders in Munich, Bavaria, on 8–9 November 1923, during the Weimar Republic. Approximately two thousand Nazis marched on the Feldherrnhalle, in the city centre, but were confronted by a police cordon, which resulted in the deaths of 15 Nazis, four police officers, and one bystander.
Hitler escaped immediate arrest and was spirited off to safety in the countryside. After two days, he was arrested and charged with treason.
The putsch brought Hitler to the attention of the German nation for the first time and generated front-page headlines in newspapers around the world. His arrest was followed by a 24-day trial, which was widely publicised and gave him a platform to express his nationalist sentiments. Hitler was found guilty of treason and sentenced to five years in Landsberg Prison, where he dictated Mein Kampf to fellow prisoners Emil Maurice and Rudolf Hess. On 20 December 1924, having served only nine months, Hitler was released. Once released, Hitler redirected his focus towards obtaining power through legal means rather than by revolution or force, and accordingly changed his tactics, further developing Nazi propaganda.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_Hall_Putsch
Bundesarchiv, Bild 119-1486 / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by ... de/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons
Re: Modern History (1800 – present)
If you were to ask most American when did Donald Trump first run for president a likely response would be 2016. A week ago, that would have been my response. Actually, Trump first ran in 2000. Here is the sequence of events surrounding that candidacy:
The Federal Election Campaign Act contains provisions for distribution of millions of tax dollars to Democrats, Republicans and minor parties that receive more than 5 percent of the vote. 1974 A.D.
Ross Perot’s Reform Party wins 8 percent of the vote, enough to secure $12.6 million under the Federal Election Campaign Act. 1996 A.D.
The Reform Party’s assets lure a diverse crop of opportunists to its presidential nomination process. Donald Trump wins its California primary before withdrawing his candidacy. Pat Buchanan wins the nomination. 2000 A.D.
Source: Mother Jones,”Party Crashers,” Clint Hendler, page 26, May + June 2024.
The Federal Election Campaign Act contains provisions for distribution of millions of tax dollars to Democrats, Republicans and minor parties that receive more than 5 percent of the vote. 1974 A.D.
Ross Perot’s Reform Party wins 8 percent of the vote, enough to secure $12.6 million under the Federal Election Campaign Act. 1996 A.D.
The Reform Party’s assets lure a diverse crop of opportunists to its presidential nomination process. Donald Trump wins its California primary before withdrawing his candidacy. Pat Buchanan wins the nomination. 2000 A.D.
Source: Mother Jones,”Party Crashers,” Clint Hendler, page 26, May + June 2024.
Don't mourn, organize.
-Joe Hill
-Joe Hill
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Time_Traveller
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Re: Modern History (1800 – present)
Cambridge University releases Everest mountaineer George Mallory's letters
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-c ... e-688565403 hours ago
The final words of mountaineer George Mallory to his wife are among letters made public for the first time, marking his death 100 years ago on Everest.
Mallory studied history at Magdalene College at the University of Cambridge between 1905 and 1909, and the college has now digitised his writings.
Born in Mobberley, Cheshire, he died during an Everest expedition in 1924 but his body was not found until 1999.
Letters found in his jacket pocket are among the collection.
Mallory is known for apparently replying "because it's there", when asked by a reporter why he wanted to climb Everest.
“In the quantum multiverse, every choice, every decision you've ever and never made exists in an unimaginably vast ensemble of parallel universes.”
Re: Modern History (1800 – present)
The Spectacular Implosion of the Libertarian Party
I just finished reading an article in Mother Jones concerning the Libertarian party in the U.S. The article traces the history of the party form the 1970s to the present and is therefore hard to cite in 350 words or less. A main thing to note is how the party has partially morphed from one in support of classical liberalism, with an emphasis on minimal government involvement, to a party that advocates restrictions on abortion and immigration rights and is highly racist in nature. This descent has paralleled a high level of faction formation, as some have resisted its more repugnant racist orientation. Like the MAGA movement, conspiracy theorists have also gained influence. Of particularly pernicious influence is the Mises Caucus which began to "wrest control of local and state parties" in 2022. As the title of the article suggests, the overall effect is best described as an "implosion." For the full article:
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/20 ... an-party/
I just finished reading an article in Mother Jones concerning the Libertarian party in the U.S. The article traces the history of the party form the 1970s to the present and is therefore hard to cite in 350 words or less. A main thing to note is how the party has partially morphed from one in support of classical liberalism, with an emphasis on minimal government involvement, to a party that advocates restrictions on abortion and immigration rights and is highly racist in nature. This descent has paralleled a high level of faction formation, as some have resisted its more repugnant racist orientation. Like the MAGA movement, conspiracy theorists have also gained influence. Of particularly pernicious influence is the Mises Caucus which began to "wrest control of local and state parties" in 2022. As the title of the article suggests, the overall effect is best described as an "implosion." For the full article:
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/20 ... an-party/
Don't mourn, organize.
-Joe Hill
-Joe Hill
Re: Modern History (1800 – present)
Richard Beeching
Richard Beeching, Baron Beeching (21 April 1913 – 23 March 1985), commonly known as Dr Beeching, was a physicist and engineer who for a short but very notable time was chairman of British Railways. He became a household name in Britain in the early 1960s for his report The Reshaping of British Railways, commonly referred to as The Beeching Report, which led to far-reaching changes in the rail network, popularly known as the Beeching Axe.
As a result of the report, just over 4,000 route miles (6,400 kilometres) were removed from the system on cost and efficiency grounds, leaving Britain with 13,721 miles (22,082 km) of railway lines in 1966. A further 2,000 miles (3,200 km) were lost by the end of the 1960s, while other lines were reduced to freight use only.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Beeching
Richard Beeching, Baron Beeching (21 April 1913 – 23 March 1985), commonly known as Dr Beeching, was a physicist and engineer who for a short but very notable time was chairman of British Railways. He became a household name in Britain in the early 1960s for his report The Reshaping of British Railways, commonly referred to as The Beeching Report, which led to far-reaching changes in the rail network, popularly known as the Beeching Axe.
As a result of the report, just over 4,000 route miles (6,400 kilometres) were removed from the system on cost and efficiency grounds, leaving Britain with 13,721 miles (22,082 km) of railway lines in 1966. A further 2,000 miles (3,200 km) were lost by the end of the 1960s, while other lines were reduced to freight use only.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Beeching
Jill Dando shot dead
25 years ago today.
Hard to believe it's been this long. I have such clear memories. I was at home, in my 2nd year of college. My Dad phoned me with the news, and I remember being incredibly shocked.
For non-UK forumers – this was one of the UK's most well-known TV presenters, just randomly shot dead. Try to imagine someone like Ellen DeGeneres or Rachel Maddow being suddenly and brutally murdered.
Jill Dando was only 37.
Hard to believe it's been this long. I have such clear memories. I was at home, in my 2nd year of college. My Dad phoned me with the news, and I remember being incredibly shocked.
For non-UK forumers – this was one of the UK's most well-known TV presenters, just randomly shot dead. Try to imagine someone like Ellen DeGeneres or Rachel Maddow being suddenly and brutally murdered.
Jill Dando was only 37.
