Historical Perspectives – Page 83

Breakthrough Thinking, Globalism, Historical Perspectives, New Inventions, Science & Technology News, Space

First Space-Based Gas Station Set to Open in 2015

March 16, 2011

Space gas to become a reality soon?

In space, no one can hear you scream — about the soaring prices at the pump, that is. For what will be the very first time, plans for a space-based satellite filling station have been announced, with a launch date set for 2015. It may sound like a bit of unnecessary convenience some 22,369 miles above our heads, but experts say that the gas station will do much more than make Earth a planetary truck-stop. “This is a first-time-ever, huge, huge, huge event,” says the director of the Space Protection Program — and it’s sure to make space a little cleaner, too.

Continue reading… “First Space-Based Gas Station Set to Open in 2015”

Historical Perspectives, Hot Issues, Latest News, New Viewpoints, Science & Technology News, Space

In Lasers We Trust: NASA Researches 5kW Galactic Trash Disposal System

March 15, 2011

Dealing with space junk.

Space junk is a growing problem — 200,000 pieces and counting — and as the amount of earth’s orbital debris increases, so does the chance some satellite will be involved in a cosmic collision. As this would cause much gnashing of teeth and woe for the affected terrestrial parties, some researchers from NASA’s Ames Research Center have pitched the idea of removing said junk with a laser — once again proving that everything’s better with lasers…

Continue reading… “In Lasers We Trust: NASA Researches 5kW Galactic Trash Disposal System”

Alternative Transportation, Breakthrough Thinking, Ecological Products, Great New Product, Green Friendly, Historical Perspectives, New Viewpoints

Pedal Power Meets Photovoltaics via Solarbike

March 15, 2011

Solarbike aims at having electric bikes powered by the sun.

Solarbike specialises in electric conversion kits for bicycles. But the business’s founders, both research scientists at the University of Western Australia, have been working on a way to easily have electric bikes powered by the sun. After some trial and error, which they transparently document, they’ve arrived at reasonably affordable photovoltaic systems that allow electric bike owners to ride like a solar wind…

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Breakthrough Thinking, Business, Entertainment, Historical Perspectives, Latest News, Music

RIP Zune Player, 2006-2011

March 15, 2011

May all your Zunes come true.

Microsoft is not planning on releasing any further Zune devices. Instead, the company plans to focus on Zune software for smartphones.

Microsoft declined to comment on the future of the Zune players, but in a statement to Bloomberg noted that it remains “committed to supporting our devices in North America.”

Zune launched in November 2006 to much fanfare and hopes that it could beat Apple’s iPod. But sales never came close to reaching the levels of Apple’s best-selling and market changing music and media player…

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Architecture, Art, Breakthrough Thinking, Great New Product, Historical Perspectives

Translucent Concrete

March 14, 2011

Concrete with a special twist.

This special concrete tile allows light to pass through. The tile contains optical fibers that make up about 5% of its surface area. The fibers are distributed uniformly throughout the surface to allow an outline to be clearly visible on the other side. The tiles have the unique combination of being nearly unbreakable and translucent.

The material is made with a combination of optical fibers and fine concrete…

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Historical Perspectives, Latest News, New Discoveries, Science & Technology News, Space

The Baikonur Cosmodrome – The World’s Oldest Spaceport

March 14, 2011

A newly “rolled out” Proton-M, carrying the Inmarsat-4F3 spacecraft.

There are, to be frank, not many spaceports on the planet as of 2011. Of the thirty or so only six of them have sent people in to space. Four of those are located in the US, another in China and the sixth and oldest is to be found in Kazakhstan…

Continue reading… “The Baikonur Cosmodrome – The World’s Oldest Spaceport”

Business, Culture, Economy, Health & Fitness, Historical Perspectives, Money Talk, New Viewpoints

Is A Million Bucks Enough to Make You Feel Rich?

March 14, 2011

You have some bucks, but is it enough?

A million bucks ain’t what it used to be. Heck, it’s not even enough to make (rich) people feel rich anymore:

Some 42 percent of the more than 1,000 millionaires surveyed by Fidelity said they did not feel wealthy.

Respondents had at least $1 million in investable assets, excluding any real estate or retirement accounts…

Continue reading… “Is A Million Bucks Enough to Make You Feel Rich?”

DIY, Food, Historical Perspectives, New Discoveries, New Inventions

How to Make Pop Rocks

March 14, 2011

Pop Rocks at home!

Chickflix has posted an Instructable that pierces the veil of mystery and describes how to mix your own Pop Rocks at home. The secret ingredient turns out to be pretty mundane, alas — I always assumed that they were filled with some violent, rare substance that ground its way through my guts on the way out. On the other hand, now that the secret is in the open, it paves the way for exotic Pop Rock flavors, such as French mustard, roast beef, and pineapple…

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Animals, Breakthrough Thinking, Entertainment, Food, Health & Fitness, Historical Perspectives, Hot Issues, Human Behavior

‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ Becomes Focus of Anti-Obesity Campaign

March 14, 2011

Anti-Obesity Campaign takes on a new shape.

On March 20, the first day of spring, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” the legendary children’s book written by Eric Carle in 1969, will be sent for free to more than 17,500 pediatricians’ offices around the country in order to promote the “Eating Healthy. Growing Strong.” campaign, a movement designed to combat childhood obesity. Created by the anti-obesity campaign, The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, the books will be sent with growth charts and reading guide handouts in order to encourage both parents and doctors to have discussions about healthy eating habits, including nutrition and portion control, with the younger generation.

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Breakthrough Thinking, Culture, Current Events, Historical Perspectives, Hot Issues, Latest News

The Salton Sea: A ‘Dead’ Sea Ready to Rise?

March 13, 2011

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atgg7t4XbPk&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Half a century ago, the Salton Sea was called the “French Riviera of California” — and that claim really held water as celebrities and many others seeking a spectacular getaway escaped to the “mini-ocean” just past Palm Springs.

But today, the abandoned remains of this former tourist hot spot represent an eerie aftermath: a virtual ghost town where once the rich came to play.
Continue reading… “The Salton Sea: A ‘Dead’ Sea Ready to Rise?”

Analysis, Crazy Stuff, Globalism, Historical Perspectives, Latest News

Japan’s Earthquake Causes Day to Get a Tiny Bit Shorter

March 13, 2011

The rotation has changed ever so slightly.

You won’t notice it, but the day just got a tiny bit shorter because of Friday’s giant earthquake off the coast of Japan.

NASA geophysicist Richard Gross calculated that Earth’s rotation sped up by 1.8 microseconds. That’s because of the shift in Earth’s mass caused by the 8.9-magnitude earthquake. A microsecond is one-millionth of a second.

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Historical Perspectives, New Discoveries, Science & Technology News

Lost City of Atlantis May Have Been Found By U.S. Research Team

March 13, 2011

Greek philosopher Plato wrote about Atlantis some 2,600 years ago, describing it as “an island situated in front of the straits which are by you called the Pillars of Hercules.”

A U.S.-led research team may have finally located the lost city of Atlantis, the legendary metropolis believed swamped by a tsunami thousands of years ago in mud flats in southern Spain.

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