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

CHINA AND THE AUTOMOBILE

THE LATEST Automotive News, June 11, 2018, has a fascinating piece on a complex subject: China and the automobile. Hans Greimel, the industry weekly’s Tokyo-based Asia Editor, titles his article … Continue reading

June 16, 2018 · 1 Comment

THE HINDENBURG’S BABY GRAND

IT WOULD seem incongruous to find a piano aboard an airship. But, for awhile, the Lounge of the Zeppelin LZ-129 Hindenburg featured a baby grand built by Julius Blüthner Pianofortefabrik … Continue reading

June 15, 2018 · 4 Comments

“NEATNESS DON’T COUNT”—HENRY N. MANNEY III

WHAT WITH various views of different forms of motor racing (F1 is dull; NASCAR is for sale), there’s historical perspective to be gained through the writing of no less an … Continue reading

June 14, 2018 · 5 Comments

DUPED, DUPLICITY

WELL I’LL BE duped! It turns out I’ve deceived myself for years by associating the word “dupe” with the word “duplicity.” However, in expanding my Etymology for our Times, I … Continue reading

June 13, 2018 · 1 Comment

THE SCIOTO SCANDAL PART 2

YESTERDAY HERE at SimanaitisSays, I shared Part 1 describing the Scioto Scandal, a scam taking place in the young United States during its first decade. It involved immigrants getting cheated, … Continue reading

June 12, 2018 · Leave a comment

THE SCIOTO SCANDAL PART 1

THERE’S A LONG history of immigrants to the U.S. getting scammed. And I’ve just learned of a spectacular example, the Scioto Scandal described in Bruce Berkowitz’s Playfair: The True Story … Continue reading

June 11, 2018 · 2 Comments

HOLMES HUMOR

THOUGH SHERLOCK HOLMES himself seems to depreciate humor, the chronicles of Doctor John H. Watson appear to suggest otherwise. Here are citations from the Canon on “Does Holmes have a … Continue reading

June 9, 2018 · 2 Comments

TESLA MODEL 3 TIDBITS

TESLA MODEL S sedans and Model X SUVs are no big surprise here in the Southern California vehicle mix. Come to think of it, nor are Ferraris, Maseratis, and the … Continue reading

June 8, 2018 · 3 Comments

ON TOY THEATRE, WESTMINSTER SCHOOLING, AND KEBLE COLLEGE

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S autobiography Unmasked is an absolute delight. I’m only partway through, charmed by his stories, and already looking up stuff he mentions to learn more. In a way, … Continue reading

June 6, 2018 · Leave a comment

TWO MORE ARCHITECTURAL FAVS

I DONT’ KNOW much about architecture, but I know what I like. In particular, I’ve already celebrated three favorites here at SimanaitisSays: Katsura Rikyu, an imperial villa near Kyoto, Japan, … Continue reading

June 4, 2018 · 4 Comments