A paternoster is a passenger elevator which consists of a chain of open compartments that move slowly in a loop up and down inside a building without stopping. Passengers can step on or off at any floor they like. As a result of safety issues, many such lifts have been shut down.
First built in 1884 by the Dartford, England engineering firm of J & E Hall Ltd as the Cyclic Elevator, the name paternoster was originally applied to the device because the elevator is in the form of a loop and is thus similar to rosary beads used as an aid in reciting prayers.
LINK, Via: Youtube, Via: Blog on a Toothpick
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Paternoster, A Cyclic Elevator
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Virgin Galactic Unveils World's First Commercial Passenger Spaceship
Virgin Galactic has unveiled the world's first ever commercial passenger spaceship. The sleek black-and-white vessel represents a gamble with a sky-high price tag to create a commercial space and tourism industry.
The company hopes the winged, minivan-sized SpaceShipTwo, will rocket space tourists into zero gravity within just two or three years. LINK
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Inflatable rear seat belts
Ford Motor Company is bringing to market the worlds first automotive inflatable seat belts, combining attributes of traditional seat belts and air bags to provide an added level of crash safety protection for rear seat occupants.
The advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear seat passengers, often children and older passengers who can be more vulnerable to such injuries.
Ford will introduce inflatable rear seat belts on the next-generation Ford Explorer, which goes into production next year for the North American market. Over time, Ford plans to offer the technology in vehicles globally. LINK, Via: Youtube
Inflatable rear seat belts