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1. A comment about ‘Harriet Beecher Stowe’s’ smile, and maybe, Mona Lisa’s smile: … This ‘modern’ smile is on the Internet. I saw the photograph at PetaPixel site. = ~A Rare Photo of Someone Smiling in the 19th Century~ [Copy of the photograph at the site.]

   From the article:
   “Portrait photos from over a century ago rarely show subjects smiling, but this 19th century photo is an exception, and it’s been going viral online for that reason.

   The photo is found in the National Anthropological Archives maintained by the Smithsonian Institution. The 14.5×6.5-inch photo was captured in 1894, and it shows a Native American girl named O-o-dee of the Kiowa people in the Oklahoma Territory.

   It’s believed that the photo was captured by a photographer named George W. Bretz who ran a photo studio in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. An album of Bretz’s photos, which includes this smiling portrait, was sold at auction in 2019 for $43,750.

   As the photo is making the rounds on the Web, people have been commenting on how “modern” and “relatable” the smiling makes the picture look.”

2. Railway Spike Strip Build

   Twenty 5 1/2” x 5/8”x 5/8” railway spikes were easily hammered into twenty 3/4” holes in 2 rows, spaced approximately 5” apart in a 1”x 5” wide, and 7 foot long section of composite decking. A 2” x 6” pine board could also be used. Construction time for the prototype was no more than 30 minutes. Set up for mass production, construction time could be reduced to no more than 15 minutes as 3 boards could be drilled at the same time, and the tips do not need to be sharpened. Time for this example includes sharpening the tips on a grinder, but no time was used to measure.

   The result is 4” long spikes that are sharp enough, and strong enough to puncture any automotive or heavy truck tire, and deflate it quickly, and light enough to be quickly moved out of the way if not anchored. I need not test it as I have repaired many flat tires when working as a mechanic in my youth. Perhaps a M35, or Deuce and a Half could roll over these, but I doubt it. And who would want to try it with tires that now cost $650.00 each new. Other than a run flat tire, I do not believe there is a tire made that is tough enough. Difficultly rating, one banana. Patent pending….

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