The hookah, a water pipe invented in India in the 17th century, has become popular in the Middle East, Europe, North America, and South Africa. It was created to reduce the negative effects of tobacco smoke and uses a water vessel to filter smoke. Hookah tobacco is often sweetened and comes in different strengths, but […]
Gaiters are clothing worn by hikers to protect their legs from scrapes and wetness. Puttees were used in army uniforms to minimize horse chafing, while spats were worn by Anglican priests and bishops for formal dress. Gaiters are now rarely seen in ceremonial dress. Gaiters are a form of clothing, made from leather or synthetic […]
Servant leadership is a management philosophy where leaders act as servants to their employees, empowering them through ethical treatment. This approach involves meeting the needs of employees and performing acts of selflessness, leading to a more motivated and satisfied workforce. The Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership offers resources for managers to learn more about this […]
A manual winch is a device used to move heavy objects using a cable or rope wrapped around a drum or pulley. It is used for lighter duty applications and requires no power source. It is used in industrial and recreational applications and features a wire cable, fiber cable, or chain. The winch body needs […]
Caddies assist golfers with equipment and provide advice on club use and strategy. They can walk with the golfer or use a golf cart. Different styles of caddying are used depending on event regulations or country club traditions. The fore-caddy walks in front of the golfer, while caddy cart involves the caddy depositing the golfer […]
Powerlifting involves lifting heavy weights in three activities: squats, bench presses, and deadlifts. The sport originated in New York City in the early 20th century and focuses on lifting as much weight as possible. Competitors are given three attempts at each stage, and the highest weight is taken as the best. The use of machines […]
Tetherball is a simple and affordable game played on school playgrounds and city parks. The game involves hitting a ball around a pole with a rope attached until it wraps around the pole. The rules are straightforward, and players take turns hitting the ball. Unfortunately, there are no professional outlets for tetherball, and it is […]
Medium format cameras are preferred by commercial and fine art photographers as they expose a larger area of film resulting in sharper images that can be enlarged or cropped more easily. Medium format film is 60mm wide and allows for larger negatives capturing more detail resulting in sharper prints. Medium format cameras can be equipped […]
The marathon is a 26.2 mile race named after the Greek Battle of Marathon. It is an Olympic event and is run around the world on various terrains. The story of Pheidippides is a legend, and the modern marathon has a set course and time limit. Runners train extensively and monitor their physical health during […]
Atari, founded in 1972 by Ted Dabney and Nolan Bushnell, pioneered the computer entertainment industry with video game consoles and arcade games. The company was named after the Japanese word for “to hit the target.” After several ownership changes, Atari Corporation rebounded in the 1980s with the release of the Atari 2600 and later the […]
NASCAR was founded in 1947 to set performance standards in stock car championships. NASCAR cars have a steel tube frame and must follow specific construction rules. NASCAR uses a points system to determine the Cup winner, with ties broken by the number of wins. Daytona Beach is home to the Daytona International Speedway and an […]
Compressor oil is used to lubricate, prevent wear and corrosion, and improve compression efficiency. It varies in viscosity and additives, and can be natural or synthetic. Anti-wear additives reduce metallic contact, and correct viscosity reduces gas escape. Synthetic oils have better stability and can be used in oxygen compressors. Oil-free systems are required for safety […]
A cascade impactor measures the flow rate range and particle size of a substance dispensed through an aerosol. It collects samples in a graduated manner through a series of discs, with each disc representing a stage of the impactor. The impactor has ten stages, with each stage collecting smaller particles than the previous one. The […]
Rotary dryers use rotation, gravity, and hot gases to dry materials. They range from small home dryers to large industrial systems. The drum rotates and moves the material while hot gases dry it. Different gases are used, and there are two types of heating methods: direct and indirect. The most common type is the indirect […]
Cantilever racks are storage systems with individual shelves supported by a single beam, allowing for the storage of wider loads without vertical or oblique bracing. They can be free-standing or bolted to a wall, and are commonly used for lumber, pipe, and steel stock. They are easy to assemble and affordable, with modular designs for […]
Sand traps remove sand or silt from water pumped from wells and boreholes. They use a cyclonic flow pattern to separate heavier sand particles, making them easier to maintain than filters. There are two types: above ground with a purge valve, and in-well with an automatic flapper valve. A sand trap is a device used […]
Slow sand filters are low-cost and low-tech water treatment filters that rely on a bed of rock and sand topped with beneficial microorganisms to filter water. They require no electric pumping or chemical treatment and are suitable for communities in developing countries. However, they work slowly and may become logistically impossible to build and maintain […]
Cutting tools are handheld devices that can be used for cutting and grinding various materials. They come in different sizes and configurations, with some requiring one hand to operate and others requiring two. These tools can be used for light to heavy grinding applications and are available in straight and angled versions. Smaller cutting tools […]
12V air compressors lack a pressurized vessel and pump air directly into objects. They are less powerful than AC units but useful for travel as they run on car and boat electrical systems. They must run continuously and have a time limit for operation to prevent motor burnout. They are powered by cigarette lighter sockets […]
Powered conveyors move materials using motorized parts such as rollers or belts. They are used in various industries to move products vertically or horizontally. Roller conveyors use direct drive motors, while conveyor belts can be permanently mounted or designed with wheels. Truck-mounted conveyor belts are used for loading baggage at airports. Powered screw conveyors move […]
