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The Electric cab fleet of the 1890s were nicknamed "Hummingbirds" due to the strange humming noise they made. Electric vehicles had a number of advantages over their early-1900s competitors as they didn't have the vibration, smell, and noise associated with petrol-powered cars and didn't require gear changes. The cars were also preferred because they did not require a manual effort to start whereas petrol cars needed a hand crank to start the engine.
After enjoying success at the beginning of the 20th century, the electric car began to lose its position in the car market. By the 1920s improved roads improved travel times, creating a need for vehicles with a greater range than that offered by electric cars, whilst worldwide discoveries of large petroleum reserves led to the wide availability of affordable petrol. Electric cars were limited to urban use by their slow speed (no more than 15–20 mph) and low range (30–40 miles), and petrol cars were now able to travel farther and faster than equivalent electrics. The invention of the electric starter in 1912 eliminated the need of a hand starting crank, while the invention of the muffler significantly reduced the noise levels.
But it was the initiation of mass production of cheap petrol-powered vehicles by Henry Ford that proved crucial (by contrast, the price of similar electric vehicles continued to rise; by 1912, an electric car was almost double the price of a petrol car). Most electric car makers stopped production at some point in the 1910s.
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, a tiny Welsh village on the isle of Anglesey, has the longest place name in Europe.
Translated to English, it’s a name that describes the town’s location: Saint Mary's Church in the hollow of the white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio of the red cave.
Lincoln was indeed among the tallest buildings in the world in medieval times, albeit not for 400 years. After the earthquake in 1185, there was extensive re-building as little had survived except the west front, but it wasn't until 1310 that the Cathedral’s central tower was rebuilt which, with its additional spire, brought the height to around 525 feet (160 m). Unfortunately, a storm destroyed this spire in the 1540s and was never replaced.
Myth, I'm afraid - there were quite a few in fact, including Old St Paul's Cathedral, Rouen Cathedral, the Yongning Pagaoda, Cologne Cathedral, Lincoln Cathedral, the Washington monument and quite a few others.
Probably me over-thinking it, but I can't help feeling that the root of it is another sign of the avoidance of facing death, which is rapidly becoming another taboo subject in our sensitive-flower age. People talk about 'celebrating life' rather than 'mourning', which is fine as far as it goes, but for me there's something psychologically important about acknowledging the final reality, and a short period of silence just seems more appropriate to me.
Fk the Stones. There are few revolutions, and fewer things revolutionary. These guys had it all, in case anyone dares to diminish their importance.
I could talk for ever about this song and the making of it, but i'll give you some highlights.
The lyrics sum up a lot for me, the desire for change, breaking all the accepted norms, but then challenging this same desire - it's easier to destroy than to build? Criticism of those who seek power or promote hate maybe reflects Lennon/Macca's disillusionment with some aspects of the political movements of their time. And the reference to Chairman Mao is especially poignant – a rejection of extreme ideologies pertinent to our times.
But, aside from all of that, the pure rock'n'roll is beautiful. There's everything here - Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Beach Boys, Buddy Holly; everything.
From Lennon's final interview in 1980, 'the song ... in its different versions .. was initially political in its inspiration, we wanted to tear down stuff, but maybe me and Paul was in it, a personal conflict between the desire for change and the fear of the chaos that often accompanies it.. It’s about finding a balance'.
Agree. An Anderson/Broadless attack is of serious concern - whilst our bowling is adequate enough, it relies heavily on favourable conditions (ie late swing), without which pretty much any team, and particularly the Aussies, will fancy their chances. I don't get the thinking with Archer, who seems to have been inked in for the 50 Over format but not for tests. He's the only bowler I can think of that the opposition would genuinely fear.
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