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Showing posts with label Did u know. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Did u know. Show all posts

Friday, December 27, 2019

Why Whale Poop is Very Expensive?

The color is yellowish gray and stinks. But the value of whale excrement could reach tens of thousands of dollars per kilogram. Whale feces was discovered by Ken Wilman while strolling with his dog, Madge on a secluded beach in Morecambe, England. Initially, Wilman thought it as a rock. "When I picked it up, I immediately put it back because it smells disgusting," Wilman said, as quoted by the BBC.
Ken Wilman, the luckiest man that has found 3 kg of ambergris on a secluded beach in Morecambe, England. (Picture from: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/)
At home, Wilman finds out about it from Google's site. The clumps that similar to the rock is probably the ambergris, which is derived from the digestive tract of sperm whales, and an element that is very expensive in luxury fragrances, such as Chanel No. 5. Realizing that stinky thing is a worthy thing, Wilman right back to the beach and pick it up. One ambergris agent from France had offered the stone was worth U.S. $ 68 thousand, (or approximately Rp. 660 million). However, it is likely a much higher value.

"These findings are very valuable," said Chris Hill, curator at the Aquarium of the Lakes in Cumbria, England. "There are few places in Europe that are interested in buying it. They will keep for years like wine and test it as a perfume. What value of the Ambergris?  It is determined by its freshness, but the possibility of U.S. $ 180 thousand (or approximately Rp. 1.7 billion)."

No one knows for sure how sperm whales produce that substance is, or how the animals produce the clumps. Many experts agree that whales produce ambergris in the gut as a type of fat to coat hard and pungent foods are difficult to digest, such as the giant squid beak. The part squid was hard indeed found in ambergris.
Sperm whale. (Picture from: http://www.fish-journal.com/)
But while some reports call ambergris "whale vomit," others insist it's not puke. "It's poop," said Christopher Kemp, a molecular biologist from the University of Chicago. Kemp, the author of "Floating Gold: the Natural (and Unnatural) History of Ambergris" (University Of Chicago Press, 2012), notes that the stuff commands a high price because "only one percent of the 350,000 sperm whales can actually make it," he told ABC News. "Because it's so rare, it's very valuable." *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIVESCIENCE | TJANDRA DEWI | KORAN TEMPO 4133]
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Saturday, December 7, 2019

Get to know the iconic Harley Davidson machines

When there is a convoy of big motorbikes on the highway, and it will be seen that the most prominent is the Harley-Davidson motorcycle which has a roaring sound coming out of its V-Twin engine that will be easily recognized and very distinctive even though it's far away from our hearing. So it is not excessive if many assume that the fierce look of Harley-Davidson motorcycle is partly derived from its machine.
An illustration of the classic Harley-Davidson motorcycle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rmpbEI)
Indeed, Harkey-Davidson motorbikes are very easy to recognize through its typical V-Twin 45-degree engine, but did you know that the V-Twin engine has several changes or revolutions according to the shape of the chassis and models. But, not all machines will be discussed here, only a few are said to be iconic and famous machines of their time. Let's check it out! 

1. 1909 Atmospheric V-Twin 
(Picture from: http://bit.ly/33WSDOV)
The first engine from Harley-Davidson was a V-twin designed by HD's Chief Engineer, Bill Harley in 1908, right after he was graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1908. This type of engine was produced in 1909, this was the beginning of Harley-Davidson coming into the world.

This engine with a capacity of 811 cc and capable of producing power of 7 horsepower is made for 27 units of motorcycles. And the motorcycle that was present at that time with a very simple construction that uses a separate gearbox and kick-starter. This engine is also known as the forerunner of the V-twin 45-degree engine lineage of Harley-Davidson.

2. 1911-1929 F-Head 
(Picture from: http://bit.ly/33WSDOV)
Followed by the birth of the F-Head type engine born from 1911 to 1929. The F-Head engine comes with a capacity of 1,000 cc and 1,213 cc.

This machine has also been refined and made of better iron castings materials.

This F-Head engine features a waterproof ignition system and is designed for use on public roads, the police and also for general sale.

3. 1929-1936 Flathead 
(Picture from: http://bit.ly/33WSDOV)
This Flathead engine type also has a unique feature, that is made without a valve above its cylinder head.

The valve is made sideways so that it can be easier when making repairs.

This type of engine can be seen in the Harley-Davidson motorcycles type WL and WLA in the 1930s.

4. 1936-1947 Knucklehead
(Picture from: http://bit.ly/33WSDOV)
After that came the Harley-Davidson engine is known as Knucklehead which was made from 1936 to 1947. The engine with a capacity of 990 cc and 1,200 cc called Knucklehead due to its cylinder head shape similar to the brassed knuckle that is usually worn on the hand to punch.

There are three types of Harley-Davidson motorcycles that use Knucklehead engines namely E, ES, and EL models.

5. 1948-1965 Panhead
(Picture from: http://bit.ly/33WSDOV)
Subsequently followed by the Panhead generation in 1948-1965 who began developing the "cranks" model. This type of engine also comes in two engine capacities, 990 cc, and 1,200 cc, but the power generated is bigger than the Knucklehead engine type.

The Panhead type engine is an advanced development of the Knucklehead engine type, and it uses aluminum cylinder heads, hydraulic valve, increased oil circulation and crankpin roller bearings for engine durability.

6. 1966-1984 Shovelhead 
(Picture from: http://bit.ly/33WSDOV)
Then there is the Shovelhead type engine which was made between
1966 and 1984 and has a capacity of around 1,200 cc. This type of machine can be said to be the successor or a modern version of Panhead with several changes.

Starting from the use of a larger valve, ported better, then there is a piston that is made stronger. The name Shovelhead because the engine, when viewed from an upside-down position, looks like a coal shovel.

7. 1984-1999 Evolution 
(Picture from: http://bit.ly/33WSDOV)
The next engine is Evolution, which was present in 1984-1999, which was the first largest engine with a cylinder capacity of 1,340 cc, which was made by Harley-Davidson. This engine is embedded in the Sportster models starting from 1986 but uses 883 cc and 1,200 cc.

Noted, this engine is the first time Harley-Davidson uses Computer-Aided Design in the manufacture of motorcycles that are more efficient and increasing the power and torque.

8. 1999-2017 Twin Cam 
(Picture from: http://bit.ly/33WSDOV)
Next is the Twin Cam type, which was born between 1999 and 2017, there are two Twin Cam models. First, the engine with a capacity of 1,450 cc and still using a carburetor and refined by Twin Cam 1,584 cc injection technology starting in 2007.

From the beginning, Harley-Davidson never made the engine cooling system with a radiator model. But in 2001, they made a new engine with a radiator cooling system, so the engine was called as Revolution engine with a capacity of 1,340 cc, and this type of engine used by the V-Rod, and continued by the younger generation of Street 500 and Street 750.

9. 2017 Milwaukee-Eight 107 
(Picture from: http://bit.ly/33WSDOV)
The most recent generation of engines used by Harley-Davidson motorbikes is Milwaukee Eight 107 which was produced in 2017. This engine is a refinement of the 1999 Twin Cam-type engine. And the amount of power that can be spewed from this engine can reach 90 horsepower. 

The Milwaukee name is derived from the location of the engine manufacturing plant and the term Eight, it means that in each cylinder there are 4 valves, while the engine has two cylinders making a total of 8 valves. And the 107 symbolizes the engine capacity that reaches 1.753 cc. This type of engine is mounted on the Road King, Street Glide Special, Road Glide Special and Road Glide Ultra models.

Well, for those of you who are curious and want to hear the sounds of the iconic machines from Harley-Davidson that have been briefly discussed above, please check the video below!
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops..... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

EarEcho uses your ear to unlock the phone

Usually, to unlock a smartphone, we use several ways such as entering a password / PIN, fingerprint scan to face our face in front of the smartphone (face recognition). In the near future, it is likely that there will be a new way to unlock smartphones, which is enough via the earphones we are using.
The new gadget called EarEcho, boasts modified earbuds that use sound waves to identify the unique geometry of the ear canal. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Y9kxG2)
All beginning from seeing most students using earphones while on campus, a computer scientist and professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University at Buffalo named Zhanpeng Jin intrigued to add the functionality of an earphone to unlock a smartphone. Together with his team, he finally made a prototype of EarEcho is described in a paper in Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies.

The EarEcho is a wireless earphone that is able to authenticate identity through the unique shape of the ear canal geometry of each smartphone user. When a sound enters the user's ear via EarEcho, the small microphone contained in this earphone will record the reflection of the sound received from the user's ear canal.
When a sound is played into someone’s ear, the sound propagates through and the ear canal reflects and absorbs it—all of which produce a unique signature that a microphone attached to the earbud can record, which then sends the info via Bluetooth to the user’s smartphone for verification. (Credit: U. Buffalo). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2P6tX0X)
This sound reflection is then analyzed by the program contained in the user's smartphone and becomes the identity of each user. Researchers have also developed acoustic signal processing techniques to reduce the noise that occurs during the process of sound reflection in the user's ear canal to increase the accuracy of the authentication process.

The researchers have tested this prototype in a variety of environmental conditions and various user positions and claimed accuracy of up to 95 percent for the user authentication process within 1 second. Even, The level of accuracy is claimed to increase to 97.5 percent when the user authentication process is made to 3 seconds.

Jin revealed that this technology has the potential to be realized because users do not need to take any action to unlock their smartphones, just by wearing EarEcho. In addition to unlocking smartphones, according to Jin, EarEcho might also be used to simplify the authentication process for mobile payments and others.

Here's Original Study DOI: 10.1145/3351239. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FUTURITY | SCIENCEDAILY]
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Thursday, November 21, 2019

Get to know about the BMW' first scooter

BMW, one of the German automotive giants, besides making various kinds of premium cars, also is known manufactures the topnotch motorcycles and scooters.

In the scooter segment, to date, BMW has marketed its newest BMW C650 GT scooter model. And you can see these BMW's big scooters have made its debut at the 2019 EICMA held in Milan some time ago.
The BMW R10 scooter never put into the production line and replaced by BMW Isetta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OnWsqB)
Meanwhile, if the automotive enthusiasts are given a question about the first scooter produced by BMW. Most of them will answer that the BMW C1 model which was produced from 2000 to 2002 is the first scooter made by this German manufacturer. That's not the right answer.

And the correct answer is the BMW R10 which was made in the 1950s. Yes, actually this German manufacturer had been started the scooter segment business nearly 67 years ago, were at that time (in 1953-1954) they made 2 unit scooters later known as BMW R10. Although only as a prototype, but is noted as the starting point of the German manufacturer in the scooter segment.
The BMW C1 was not the first BMW-made scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OnWsqB)
It seems, at the time BMW was also tempted by the success stories of Italian scooter manufacturers such as Piaggio and Innocenti. So they decided to follow in the footsteps of those two Italian manufacturers to dive into the scooter segment.
Unfortunately, the BMW R10 did not succeed in becoming the company's commercial product. The German automotive giant did not give a chance to these scooter-typed vehicles to appear widely in the world, and that might be the reason why it was forgotten then.😢

In the time, this BMW R10 scooter came with a design that is directed to a shape that slightly different than its German or Italian-made rival scooters that existed at that time such as Vespa, Lambretta or Heinkel, etc.
The BMW R10 had a large fairing that served as both leg shield and front fender. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OnWsqB)
Unlike the successful Vespas of that era, the BMW R10 scooter prototype had a large fairing that served as both leg shield and front fender. So that the R10 has a prominent front fender made it look a bit like a cyclops version of Snoopy from Charles Schultz’s 'Peanuts' comic strip, elongated rear body, and seats for 2 people.
The 1st prototype of 1953 BMW R10 was equipped with a single-cylinder 175cc engine and 198cc on the 2nd one produced in 1954. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XoVize)
The first prototype produced in 1953 was equipped with a single-cylinder 175cc engine capable of producing about 8hp while the second one made in 1954 was equipped with a 198cc producing about 10 hp.
Initially, the German company planned to launch the BMW R10 in 1954, but................. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2O0BwqE)
Initially, the German company planned to launch the BMW R10 in 1954. But the scooter didn't put into the production line due to the company's financial situation was not favorable. At that time, BMW was more interested in four-wheeled vehicle products that were believed to bring new solutions for urban transportation at the time. 
The BMW Isetta 300 then put into the production line replaced the BMW R10 scooter in 1954. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32UIu4I)
So be the BMW Isetta, a microcar model which is then put into the production line to replace the BMW R10 scooter. And the results are also not disappointing with total sales of over 160,000 units of the BMW Isetta. So it made proof of the microcars were the company's right choice in the time. Now, there are just two of these wonderful R10 scooters in existence – both safely kept in the BMW Group Classic collection in Munich.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BMW MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE | BLOG.MOTORCYCLE | CYBERMOTORCYCLE]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

The world's first of scooter has no rider's seat

Two wheels and a plank. It would be a modest beginning for a mode of transportation characterized by peaks and troughs in use and popularity unrivaled by any other contemporary human-created vehicles. Nowadays scooters have become one of the very popular vehicles. Since the appearance of the first scooter on a century ago or rather 1915 ago and did you know that the world's first scooter is called the Autoped.
The Autoped was seemingly well-publicized in its day, and contracts were gained with the U.S. Postal Service as a delivery vehicle and police forces as a patrol vehicle. It clearly performed its tasks as advertised, as this was a significant public expenditure. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32JKdtq)
As quoted from Newatlas, this scooter was initially used by people in New York, United States, and then spread to Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. The first scooter is considered quite efficient because it has a small size and has no rider's seat.
Besides ridden by US Postal service delivery men, traffic officers, the Autoped also was seen using by high society in the time. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KhQo1E)
The world's first scooter maker was Arthur Gibson through his company named The Autoped Company of Long Island City. Initially, this vehicle is intended for children by using a 155 cc engine and able to ride with a maximum speed of 48 km/hour. Initially, this scooter was also made because it was inspired by the needs of public service providers, such as the U.S Postal Service and Police forces.

With its small dimension, thus allowing the scooter to pass through small aisles in the country. And to do the braking, the rider who rides it in standing position just needs to pull the handlebars a little downward to slow down the speed of the Autoped.
Schematics for the Autoped were patented and awarded to inventor Arthur Hugo Cecil Gibson in 1916, although it would seem that Joseph F. Merkel - creator of the Flying Merkel motorcycle - played a large hand in the Autoped’s completion. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KhQo1E)
With the development of this vehicle, and coupled with the transfer of ownership of the company which was previously owned by Arthur Gibson, and in 1918 the company was bought by the famous battery company, Eveready. Since then, the product changed its name to Eveready Autoped and also equipped with batteries and coil.
The Autoped with optional seat licensed and offered by the German industrial giant Krupp. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32JKdtq)
Finally, the use of the scooters expanded and in Europe, there's great acceptance and the Autoped was manufactured by the giant Krupp company in Germany under license from 1919 to 1922. The idea then grew and received significant international support when the German industrial giant Krupp licensed and offered an Autoped with optional seat.
1919 ABC Scootamota, a seated, single-cylinder, 123cc rear-wheel powered scooter with a top speed of 15mph. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KhQo1E)
Other companies would enter the scooter industry following the Autoped, prominent among them ABC Motorcycles, a British motorcycling outfit that sponsored several moto films of the early 20th century some of which starred by an American famous actress at the time, named Shirley Kellogg. In 1919, the company developed the Scootamota, a seated, single-cylinder, 123 cc rear-wheel powered scooter with a top speed of 15 mph that was manufactured between 1919 and 1922. 
1919 ABC Scootamota, a seated, single-cylinder, 123cc rear-wheel powered scooter with a top speed of 15mph. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NZUMVn)
The 1930s was seen an increase in the use of motorized scooters around military bases, airports, throughout urban areas, and even in many Hollywood film studios, and, in the 1940s, featured usage as a low-energy mode of transport during wartime fuel rationing.
The next scooter such as the Cushman Airborne Scooter then known becomes one of the Lambretta and Vespa scooter design references made by Corradino D'Ascanio for Innocenti SA and Piaggio & Co. S.p.A. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32JKdtq)
Thus it is no exaggeration if the Autoped is called the ancestor of all motorscooters with its DNA has proven in Italy (Vespa and Lambretta) scooter craze of the 60s and Honda's rise to become the number one motorcycle manufacturer in the 70s. To this day, there are more scooters than motorcycles sold globally.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NEW ATLAS | UNAGI SCOOTERS | WIKIPEDIA]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Gloobyscoot, a French dream scooter lost in time

Not many people know about the existence of this scooter, some of you might think it never existed. Yes, indeed this scooter has actually been lost somewhere. And the Gloobyscoot scooters (thus the name of this scooter) that exists today are just the replicas.✂️
A replica of 1953 Gloobyscoot deLuxe version scooter presented by Tonton Scooters. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2qGbcIZ)
The Gloobyscoot scooters, at a glance similar to the American classic scooters such as Salisbury and Cushman. Those classic American scooters are also known as a source of inspiration for the birth of scooter culture in Europe shortly after the 2nd World War ended. 

This unique-shaped scooter is made by two Frenchmen named Roland Legroote and Maurice Renard. It all started, when Roland Legroote who was initially a foreman and worked in an agricultural machinery assembly workshop which was then mobilized when the 2nd World War began.
The 'original' Gloobyscoot scooter' frame and bodywork built by Roland Legroote and Maurice Renard and its engine were taken from the Bernadet Y52 scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rtmHnL)
During the war, He was once a prisoner of war and imprisoned in Germany. At the same time, he was employed at the Heinkel automotive factory. After that, he came back to France and participating in resistance activities against the German occupation forces in 1943.

After the war, he returned to work in an agricultural machinery factory in Labatut. Shortly afterward he was reunited with his friend named Maurice Renard who has to work as a marketing agent for Bernadet scooters in Asnières (Seine). At the time, they both were amazed by the appearance of the Italian scooters in the country, then decided to develop the two-wheeled vehicles on their own.
The Gloobyscoot scooter powered by a single-cylinder 125cc engine combined with 4-speeds manual transmission system, so its top speed is 75 km/h. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rtmHnL)
They designed the dream scooter' frames, and bodyworks then decided to use an engine that was taken from the Bernadet Y52 scooter. To smooth out the plan then Roland Legroote partnered with Maurice Renard founded a company named Gloobyscoot by using his personal funds, and later they rented a small workshop to complete the assembling process of their dreamed two-wheeled vehicle. 

At that time the workshop employed only two mechanics, of course, it was inadequate. Then they decided that the making of the main pieces of the scooter's frame and bodywork was subcontracted to the factory where Roland Legroote is worked.
The Gloobyscoot scooter equipped with several mandatory accessories such as a GrandTourime handlebar, spare wheel, watch counter, genuine leather single seat, a typical front bumper, and rear fin. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rtmHnL)
As quoted from Scootitude magazine, the prototype of the Gloobyscoot scooter was first introduced in 1953 in front of their small workshop on Chemin Vert Road, Asnières (Seine), a northwestern suburb area about 7.9 km from the center of Paris. 

After seen the work results, they felt very satisfied. Then they planned a public presentation at the Salon de l'Auto 1953 in Paris in October 1953. Soon they registered to be a participant of the exhibition to the Fédération Française de Cyclisme (French Cycling Federation). All presentation materials, advertisement posters, flyers, brochures and so on have been prepared, as well as the booth where they will display prototype scooters that have been successfully made beforehand. 
Several photos derived from Valentine Dubuc about the Gloobyscoot prototype scooter. From left to right, in Photo 1: The atmosphere of the workshop on Chemin Vert Road where the prototype of the Gloobyscoot scooter was made. Photo 2: Seen Maurice Renard (on the left) and Roland Legroote (in the middle) wearing light color suits. Photo 3: Seen the bodywork of the Gloobyscoot prototype scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rtmHnL)
But it seems that good fortune has not yet been on their side. Before they could fill the booth at the exhibition, then came bad news that told Maurice Renard suddenly died while he was driving the car. Due to his deep sorrow, Roland Legroote finally gave up and left all the plans that had been prepared fell apart along with the death of Maurice. It could be said, the Gloobyscoot has been finished, before actually starting its adventure. 

In the end, Roland Legroote never left the Labatut-based agriculture machinery factory, until he pensioned in 1960 with his last position as the Technical Director and then he and his family (daughter: Jacqueline, and granddaughter: Valentine Dubuc) moved to Malaucène and also brought the Gloobyscoot prototype scooter along with them. And later, Monsieur Legroote passed away in 1976.
A rare Gloobyscoot flyer to be distributed at 'Salon de l'Auto 1953' in Paris. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rtmHnL)
Time passed, for almost twenty years, the prototype of the scooter slept under the dust of a large Malaucène house' garage. Until finally in 1990 there was an order to vacate the house and garage ... somehow then the sleeping scooter disappeared at the hands of unscrupulous thrift dealers, and its fate not known since. 

Today, what happened to the scooter imagined by Roland Legroote/Maurice Renard? Apart from family-related memories here and some documents such as advertisements, and some workshop documents were miraculously rediscovered. 
A replica of 1953 Gloobyscoot deLuxe version scooter hits on the streets. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rtmHnL)
As a closing, if You have any info or clues about the Gloobyscoot scooter, don't hesitate to contact Roland Legroote's granddaughter named Valentine Dubuc. She will be happy to learn more about this scooter and is ready to realize her grandfather's dream. Here's another mysterious France-made scooter known as Boudier Super B58.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCOOTITUDE MAGAZIN|E BERNADET | LES-TONTONS-SCOOTEURS.COM | INSTAZU | LESRENDEZVOUSDELAREINE | LESREPAIREDESMOTARDS]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.