Day: December 5, 2009

Letter Re: Observations on Hand-Powered Tools

Sir: I’m 60-ish. My old man had a lot of projects using “recycled” lumber and nails, and you know who did the nail recycling. As an electrical engineer and general artificer, I would pass along some thoughts if I may. I was involved in a demonstration at a Navy base in the 1980s where a bicycle was coupled to an alternator and sealed beam lamps were attached for a load. One would pedal the bicycle up to speed, and the MC would switch on a lamp. Then two. Then the third. Very few could maintain output for two lamps, and …


Economics and Investing:

From reader J.D.: Rural America Surprisingly Prosperous, Study Finds Reader Ben M. suggested this article: How to Tell if You are Saving Enough. Items from The Economatrix: Retailers Report Surprise Drop In November Poor Report On Services Saps Stock Market Gains Services Sector Activity, Retail Sales Disappoint Weak Demand Puts Natural Gas Prices At 52-Week Low North Koreans In Shock As Cash Banned US Loses Another 169,000 Private Sector Jobs UN Economists Fear Hard Landing For Dollar Yen And Dollar Both Weaken US Service Industries Unexpectedly Contract Charting The Great World Trade Collapse As Housing Goes, So Falls The Economy …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Todd H. mentioned a newspaper article about Cupertino’s Fairgrove Neighborhood    o o o Michael W. mentioned that Wiggy’s makes a dog coat that is insulated with Lamilite— the same material as their sleeping bags. Michael says: “Our dog loves hers.”    o o o Damon S. found an article on pinhole emergency glasses.    o o o From CNET News: EFF Sues Feds For Info On Social-Network Surveillance