bookofjoe

"Invincible and Legendary" (Непобедимые и легендарные)

This video features highlights of the International Forum: Engineering Technologies Russia 2012 show.

It comes via reader Alan Fick who added, "Note the jets, space shuttle, and horses in the background."

Wrote one commenter, "What's impressive is that this coordination is made fully 'buttoned-down.' Neither the drivers' nor commanders' heads are out of their respective hatches. Operating buttoned-down loses much situational awareness but is a modern necessity in urban environments where threats (snipers) can be anywhere, so a modern MBT is buttoned up most of the time. So, either very well-drilled teams, very good electro-optics, or both."

In reply: "The tank's drivers are regular soldiers, who serve in the army about one year."

Regarding the space shuttle in the background, parked between jets and horses: "Yes, Buran 2.01 aka Baikal. It's third flying prototype, was ready 30%-50% when the Buran program was closed."

Insulated Ice Cream Keeper

What took so long?

Finally, something here I can actually use.

From the "Equipment Corner" feature in the July & August issue of Cook's Illustrated:

"Ice cream is the perfect summer dessert; warm ice cream soup, not so much. The Ice Cream Tubbie from Zak! Designs aims to keep the chill in frozen desserts with foam-core insulation and gel pack-lined lid (the lid must be frozen before use). The Tubbie neatly holds a pint container of ice cream or can be filled directly with the homemade stuff. Left out on the counter in the Tubbie, ice cream stayed frozen for three hours — well beyond the maker's promised 90 minutes. One small design flaw: The lid tends to form a very tight seal with the base. (We found that running warm water over the container for 10 seconds made it easier to open). For outdoor parties, picnics — even the drive home from the supermarket — this ice cream keeper is a keeper."

From $11.99 (ice cream not included).

Before the iPod: Highway Hi-Fi — Music on the road in 1956

Steve Jobs was still in diapers in 1956 when Chrysler came out with the optional Highway Hi-Fi player (above), offering music of your choice on the road.

Excerpts from Jim Koscs's June 8, 2012 New York Times story about the history of in-car entertainment follow.

Automakers realized that the holy grail of in-car entertainment would be the ability for drivers to play their own music collections on the road. In 1956, Chrysler tried to accommodate them with an in-car record player it called Highway Hi-Fi.

Developed by a research scientist from the laboratories of CBS, Highway Hi-Fi used a new ultra-microgroove format that provided 45 minutes of playing time per side from its small 16-2/3 r.p.m. record discs. Though Chrysler claimed skip-free performance, owners had mixed results.

A limited selection of music recordings, along with the contraption's proprietary format that would not play on home equipment, doomed Highway Hi-Fi to failure.

For 1960, Chrysler replaced it with a new accessory record player, made by RCA Victor, that played up to a dozen standard 45 r.p.m. records. Working better in a parked car than a moving one, it was dropped by Chrysler after 1961.

Ultra-minimal footprint bookcase

$198 

(books included. As if. What's wrong with you?).

 

 

 

[via the New York Times]

BehindTheMedspeak: The effect of snake venom on blood

Wrote fragrancemad: "I was doing some research for Cobra perfume by Jeanne Arthes and came across this video about snake venom — it's so incredible that I just had to upload it to YouTube. Basically, a single drop of this venom (from a Russell's viper) is dripped onto a Petri dish of blood, and in seconds the blood clots into a thick chunk of solid matter."

Chewable Toothbrush

That's different.

Wrote the New York Times:

"The Rolly chewable toothbrush does away with scummy glassware cluttering bathroom sinks."

What took so long?

Twelve for £7.99.

Experts' Experts: Anatomy of a flavorful tomato

 

The graphic above appears on page 16 of the July & August issue of Cook's Illustrated, part of a feature entitled "All About Tomotoes."

From time to time in the days and weeks ahead — generally when I run out of other stuff to post and/or am feeling particularly lazy — I will be featuring other useful things I learned from this article.

Air-Conditioned Cooling Pants

From the website:

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The battery-powered fan set hangs on the outside of the pants so it doesn't add any real bulk or weight, all the while keeping you cool as you go about your work in the blazing heat.

The durable pants come in a simple green color that will match most situations and wardrobes.

Polyester 65%/cotton 35%.

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$206.

[via The Green Head]