Simanaitis Says

On cars, old, new and future; science & technology; vintage airplanes, computer flight simulation of them; Sherlockiana; our English language; travel; and other stuff

Author Archives: simanaitissays

FUZZY QUADROS

A FRIEND passed along an amazing video of two flying robots balancing a rod—and tossing it back and forth! “Could this be a hoax?” my friend asked. Amazing though it … Continue reading

March 9, 2013 · 1 Comment

JAPAN’S OTHER RACE CIRCUIT

PAUL WILLIAMSEN, Lexus International Training guru and Facebook Friend, recently mentioned the Okayama International Circuit, née TI Circuit Aida. The TI stood for Tanaka International, after its founder Hajime Tanaka; … Continue reading

March 8, 2013 · 1 Comment

LE MÉTRO

THE PARIS Métro is one of the oldest—and most grand—of the world’s subterranean transportation systems. Its construction encountered ancient catacombs and other caverns even more unexpected. Its stations are exemplary … Continue reading

March 7, 2013 · 1 Comment

NORTH TO ALASKA—BY AERO

IT WAS the idea of Brig. Gen. William “Billy” Mitchell, father of the U.S. Air Force and, already in 1920, a firm believer in the importance of air power: Have … Continue reading

March 6, 2013 · 7 Comments

GM HOTSPOT (AND V2V?)

DO YOU feel out of touch when you drive off on an errand and realize you’ve left your mobile phone at home? Today’s new cars are often Bluetooth-ready, but thus … Continue reading

March 5, 2013 · Leave a comment

BARBARA HUTTON’S GTC

GOODING & COMPANY’S Amelia Island Auction, March 8, 2013, has cars ranging from a 1954 Fiat 500C Belvedere (a mini station wagon con brio, $25,000-$35,000) to several cars beyond a … Continue reading

March 4, 2013 · Leave a comment

THIS RECTANGLE IS GOLDEN

WHICH RECTANGLE do you think is aesthetically more pleasing? Most people believe it’s the one on the left. The rectangle on the left is an example of the “golden rectangle,” … Continue reading

March 3, 2013 · 3 Comments

SAE EV ENERGY UPDATE

THE SAE 2013 Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Technologies Symposium, held February 19-21 in Anaheim, devoted several sessions to batteries and other onboard energy storage. Discussed were the contrasting needs of … Continue reading

March 2, 2013 · Leave a comment

RUN IT UP THE FLAGPOLE…

THIS IS something of an unfinished book review, one that also prompts a celebration of the flagpole. The book, which I’ve just started reading, is When America First Met China. … Continue reading

March 1, 2013 · Leave a comment

FUEL-CELL NEWS FROM SAE

FUEL CELLS have often been called “the best technology that’s always 10 years away.” But updates from the SAE 2013 Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Technologies Symposium, held February 19-21 in … Continue reading

February 28, 2013 · Leave a comment