Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/12/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 08:41 PM 12/30/2006, Lawrence Zeitlin wrote: >As an avid yachtsman I can assure Lug members that there are many >devices and technologies which have remained unchanged for at least a >century or more. I still have, and very occasionally use, a Heath >Hezzanth sextant which is the image of the sextant produced in the >1880s. There are a few changes in the half silvered mirrors but >otherwise it is the same instrument. My Dietz oil lamp, now made in >Germany, is identical to the model produced in New York in the 19th >century. The Perkins diesel engine which powers my boat was first >developed for London taxicabs around 1950. Even the Ithaca Model 37 >shotgun which I use to repel pirates of the Caribbean is that same as >that sold in gun stores in the 1930s. Apart from the GPS and >electronics, the newest mechanical device on my boat is probably my >1954 Leica M3. > I understand. You might consider revisiting your copies of Nevil Shute's novels, many of which had a basis in yachting, especially his last book, TRUSTEE FROM THE TOOLROOM, where the main character is carried in a rather basic yacht from Hawaii to Tahiti, with discussions of the technology employed. Nevil Shute Norway was always a slipstick engineer, and this shows through all of his writings. Marc msmall@aya.yale.edu Cha robh b?s fir gun ghr?s fir!