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

ALEXANDRIA TIDBITS   PART 1

ALEXANDER THE GREAT founded a city on the southeast Mediterranean coast in 331 B.C. In time, Alexandria was the largest city in the world, with a major reclamation project being … Continue reading

March 8, 2023 · Leave a comment

JENKS ON “TIGERING” AND OTHER RACE-DRIVING MATTERS

LEAFING THROUGH R&T APRIL 1959 (some time-gobbling in addition to this website and GMax), I came upon “The Racing Driver,” excerpts from Denis Jenkinson’s book subtitled “The Theory and Practice … Continue reading

March 7, 2023 · 1 Comment

HYDROGEN IN THEM THAR FAIRY CIRCLES   PART 2

YESTERDAY, SCIENCE’S ERIC HAND described an innovative means of capturing hydrogen as a carbon-free renewable source of energy. Today in Part 2, details are gleaned from his article “Hidden Hydrogen,” … Continue reading

March 6, 2023 · 3 Comments

HYDROGEN IN THEM THAR FAIRY CIRCLES    PART 1

“DOES EARTH HOLD VAST STORES of a renewable, carbon-free fuel?” queries the subhead in Eric Hand’s article “Hidden Hydrogen,” Science, February 16, 2023. Here in Parts 1 and 2 today … Continue reading

March 5, 2023 · 5 Comments

YOU CAN COUNT ON IT—LINGUISTICALLY

HAD WE ALL EVOLVED WITH SIX DIGITS on each appendage (such polydactyly is one of the most common congenital abnormalities), we’d likely have a “dozenal” number system. Ancient Egyptians, John … Continue reading

March 4, 2023 · 4 Comments

VIKTOR BELYAEV’S FLYING WING   PART 2

SOVIET AIRCRAFT DESIGNER VIKTOR BELYAEV had faith in his batwing idea, but one thing and another complicated matters. We’ve already discussed its rear gunner locations being too cramped to operate … Continue reading

March 3, 2023 · 3 Comments

VIKTOR BELYAEV’S FLYING WING PART 1

I ENJOY BUILDING SCREWBALL AIRCRAFT with GMax for importation into Microsoft Flight Simulator. These include the Stipa-Caproni, which Daughter Suz calls the flying toilet-paper roll; the Pemberton-Billing Nighthawk, which I … Continue reading

March 2, 2023 · 2 Comments

RLS’S GRANDDAD’S LIGHTHOUSES

ROSEMARY HILL ENCOURAGED another bit of my Internet sleuthing with her recent review of Veronica della Dora’s Where Light in Darkness Lies: The Story of the Lighthouse in London Review … Continue reading

March 1, 2023 · Leave a comment

COMPACT COMPARO   PART 2

R&T INTRODUCED ITS READERS to compact cars in November 1959. Yesterday in Part 1, its chart identified 21 of these with wheelbases between 100 and 110 in., and the magazine’s … Continue reading

February 28, 2023 · 4 Comments

COMPACT COMPARO 1959    PART 1

WHAT WITH OPULENCE GONE WILD in the late 1950s domestic auto scene (and increasing popularity of foreign cars notably the Volkswagen Beetle), compacts were a rational response. R&T was there … Continue reading

February 27, 2023 · 5 Comments