The US Standard railroad gauge (distance between the rails) is 4 feet, 8.5 inches. That's an exceedingly odd number. Why was that gauge used?
Because that's the way they built them in England, and the US railroads were built by English expatriates.
Why did the English people build them like that?
Because the first rail lines were built by the same people who built the pre-railroad tramways, and that's the gauge they used.
Why did "they" use that gauge then?
Because the people who built the tramways used the same jigs and tools that they used for building wagons, which used that wheel spacing.
Okay! Why did the wagons use that odd wheel spacing?
Well, if they tried to use any other spacing the wagons would break on some of the old, long distance roads, because that's the spacing of the old wheel ruts in those old roads.
So who caused these old ruts in the old rutted roads?
The first long distance roads in Europe were built by Imperial Rome for the benefit of their legions. The roads have been used ever since. And the ruts? The initial ruts, which everyone else had to match for fear of destroying their wagons, were first made by Roman war chariots. Since the chariots were made for, or by Imperial Rome, they were all alike in the matter of wheel spacing.
Thus, we have the answer to the original questions.
The United States standard railroad gauge of 4 feet, 8.5 inches derives from the original specification (Military Spec) for an Imperial Roman army war chariot. Thus, MilSpecs and bureaucracies live forever.
So, the next time you are handed a specification and wonder what horse's ass came up with it, you may be exactly right. Because the Imperial Roman chariots were made to be just wide enough to accommodate the butts of two war horses.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Memo from Bin Laden
FROM:- bin LADEN, O.
SENT:- 0817 TUE 11 DEC 01
TO:- Cavemates
RE:- The Cave
Hi Guys, just a few reminders and notes;
·We've all been putting in long hours but we've really come together as a group and I love that.
·Big thanks to Omar for putting up the poster that says, "There is no 'I' in team." as well as the one that says, 'Hang In There, Baby.'. That cat is hilarious.
·However, while we are fighting a jihad, we can't forget to take care of the cave. And frankly, I have a few concerns:
· First of all, while it's good to be concerned about cruise missiles, we should be even more concerned about the scorpions in our cave. Hey, you don't want to be stung and neither do I, so we need to sweep the cave daily. I've posted a sign-up sheet near the main cave opening.
· Second, it's not often I make a video address, but when I do, I'm trying to scare the most powerful country on Earth, OK? That means that, while we're taping, please do not ride your scooter around in the background. - Just while we're taping though. Thanks.
· Food. I bought a box of Cheetos recently, clearly wrote "Osama" on the front, and put it on the top shelf. Today, my Cheetos were gone. Consideration - that's all I'm saying.
· Finally, we've heard that there may be American soldiers in disguise trying to infiltrate our ranks. I want to set up patrols to look for them. First patrol will be Omar, Abdul, Muhammad, Akbar, and Dave.
Love you lots. Osama
SENT:- 0817 TUE 11 DEC 01
TO:- Cavemates
RE:- The Cave
Hi Guys, just a few reminders and notes;
·We've all been putting in long hours but we've really come together as a group and I love that.
·Big thanks to Omar for putting up the poster that says, "There is no 'I' in team." as well as the one that says, 'Hang In There, Baby.'. That cat is hilarious.
·However, while we are fighting a jihad, we can't forget to take care of the cave. And frankly, I have a few concerns:
· First of all, while it's good to be concerned about cruise missiles, we should be even more concerned about the scorpions in our cave. Hey, you don't want to be stung and neither do I, so we need to sweep the cave daily. I've posted a sign-up sheet near the main cave opening.
· Second, it's not often I make a video address, but when I do, I'm trying to scare the most powerful country on Earth, OK? That means that, while we're taping, please do not ride your scooter around in the background. - Just while we're taping though. Thanks.
· Food. I bought a box of Cheetos recently, clearly wrote "Osama" on the front, and put it on the top shelf. Today, my Cheetos were gone. Consideration - that's all I'm saying.
· Finally, we've heard that there may be American soldiers in disguise trying to infiltrate our ranks. I want to set up patrols to look for them. First patrol will be Omar, Abdul, Muhammad, Akbar, and Dave.
Love you lots. Osama
Kuwait
A journalist had done a story on gender roles in Kuwait several years before the Gulf War, and she noted then that women customarily walked about 10 feet behind their husbands.
She returned to Kuwait recently and observed that the men now walked several yards behind their wives.
She approached one of the women for an explanation. "This is marvelous," said the journalist. "What enabled women here to achieve this reversal of roles?"
Replied the Kuwaiti woman: "Land mines"
She returned to Kuwait recently and observed that the men now walked several yards behind their wives.
She approached one of the women for an explanation. "This is marvelous," said the journalist. "What enabled women here to achieve this reversal of roles?"
Replied the Kuwaiti woman: "Land mines"
How the military staffs a unit
This is dedicated to my Legacy Vets M/C Brother, Cowboy, who was an MP in the Army.
Once upon a time the military had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert. The Inspector General's (IG) Office performed an inspection and gave the following write-up: "Improper Security. Someone can easily steal from this area."
So, the military created positions for four MPs (Military Police) to guard the facility night and day.
The IG re-inspected, and gave the following write-up: "Improper procedures. There are no written instructions for the MPs to do their job."
So, the military created a planning section, and staffed it with two NCOs, one to write the instructions, and one to do time-studies.
The IG re-inspected and gave the following write-up: "There are no procedures in place to ensure the MPs are performing their duties correctly."
The military responded by creating a Total Quality Management (TQM) section and staffed it with two NCOs, one to do studies and perform inspections and the other to write and file reports.
The IG re-inspected and gave the following write-up: "Insufficient supervision. There is no definable chain-of-command."
So, the military created an administrative section, and staffed it with an officer as OIC (Officer in Charge), a senior NCO as NCOIC (Non commissioned Officer in Charge), and two enlisted administrative specialists.
The IG re-inspected, and concluded: "This operation has met the requirements of the regulations. However, the command has been in operation for only one year and is already $18,000 over budget. The command must streamline operations and cut back on unnecessary staffing positions."
So, the OIC eliminated the four MP positions.
.
Once upon a time the military had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert. The Inspector General's (IG) Office performed an inspection and gave the following write-up: "Improper Security. Someone can easily steal from this area."
So, the military created positions for four MPs (Military Police) to guard the facility night and day.
The IG re-inspected, and gave the following write-up: "Improper procedures. There are no written instructions for the MPs to do their job."
So, the military created a planning section, and staffed it with two NCOs, one to write the instructions, and one to do time-studies.
The IG re-inspected and gave the following write-up: "There are no procedures in place to ensure the MPs are performing their duties correctly."
The military responded by creating a Total Quality Management (TQM) section and staffed it with two NCOs, one to do studies and perform inspections and the other to write and file reports.
The IG re-inspected and gave the following write-up: "Insufficient supervision. There is no definable chain-of-command."
So, the military created an administrative section, and staffed it with an officer as OIC (Officer in Charge), a senior NCO as NCOIC (Non commissioned Officer in Charge), and two enlisted administrative specialists.
The IG re-inspected, and concluded: "This operation has met the requirements of the regulations. However, the command has been in operation for only one year and is already $18,000 over budget. The command must streamline operations and cut back on unnecessary staffing positions."
So, the OIC eliminated the four MP positions.
.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Word Trivia
The word "pound" is abbreviated "lb." from the Latin "libra pondo" meaning weight or balance.
The word "checkmate" comes from the Persian phrase "Shah Mat," meaning "the king is dead."
Alma Mater means "bountiful mother."
Admiral is derived from the Arabic phrase "amir al bahr," which means "lord of the sea."
Stewardesses, reverberated and lollipop are the longest words that can be typed on a keyboard using only one hand.
Skepticism is the longest word that can be typed on a keyboard that alternates hands.
Typewriter is the longest word that can be typed using the top row only.
The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is "uncopyrightable."
Bookkeeper and bookkeeping are the only words in the English language with three consecutive double letters.
Beelzebub, another name for the devil, is Hebrew for "lord of the flies."
The word "checkmate" comes from the Persian phrase "Shah Mat," meaning "the king is dead."
Alma Mater means "bountiful mother."
Admiral is derived from the Arabic phrase "amir al bahr," which means "lord of the sea."
Stewardesses, reverberated and lollipop are the longest words that can be typed on a keyboard using only one hand.
Skepticism is the longest word that can be typed on a keyboard that alternates hands.
Typewriter is the longest word that can be typed using the top row only.
The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is "uncopyrightable."
Bookkeeper and bookkeeping are the only words in the English language with three consecutive double letters.
Beelzebub, another name for the devil, is Hebrew for "lord of the flies."
Names Trivia
The names of the three monkeys are Mizaru (see no evil), Kikazaru (hear no evil), and Iwazaru (speak no evil).
The ammunition belts in WWII were 27 feet long. If a pilot fired all his ammunition, he had fired "the whole nine yards."
University of Florida football team was the first to test a sports drink to be named after them. Gatorade.
The Greek word gymnasium means "to exercise naked." In ancient Greece, gymnasts wore no clothes. (Ahh, to bring back the good ol' days)
The term "dodger" (from the Brooklyn Dodgers) was a shortened form of "trolley dodgers" which was used to describe Brooklyites for their ability to avoid being hit by trolley cars.
The ghosts in Pac-Man are named Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde.
Mr. Snuffleupagas' first name is Aloysius.
Thomas Crapper is credited with inventing the modern day toilet.
Otto Titsling is credited with inventing the brassiere.
Civil War Major General Joseph Hooker allegedly paid prostitutes to accompany his soldiers, hence the nickname, "hookers."
A group of unicorns is called a blessing.
A group of owls is called a parliament.
A barmaid reportedly decorated her establishment with the tail feathers of cocks. One day a patron asked for "one of those cock tails." she served him a drink with a feather in it.
The most common name in the world is Mohamed.
The products full name is WD-40. WD for water displacer, which was perfected on the 40th attempt. It's main ingredient is fish oil.
The two stone lions in front of the New York Public Library are currently named Patience and Fortitude.
The letter "J" does not appear anywhere within the periodic table of the elements.
Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street share the same names as Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in "It's a Wonderful Life."
The ammunition belts in WWII were 27 feet long. If a pilot fired all his ammunition, he had fired "the whole nine yards."
University of Florida football team was the first to test a sports drink to be named after them. Gatorade.
The Greek word gymnasium means "to exercise naked." In ancient Greece, gymnasts wore no clothes. (Ahh, to bring back the good ol' days)
The term "dodger" (from the Brooklyn Dodgers) was a shortened form of "trolley dodgers" which was used to describe Brooklyites for their ability to avoid being hit by trolley cars.
The ghosts in Pac-Man are named Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde.
Mr. Snuffleupagas' first name is Aloysius.
Thomas Crapper is credited with inventing the modern day toilet.
Otto Titsling is credited with inventing the brassiere.
Civil War Major General Joseph Hooker allegedly paid prostitutes to accompany his soldiers, hence the nickname, "hookers."
A group of unicorns is called a blessing.
A group of owls is called a parliament.
A barmaid reportedly decorated her establishment with the tail feathers of cocks. One day a patron asked for "one of those cock tails." she served him a drink with a feather in it.
The most common name in the world is Mohamed.
The products full name is WD-40. WD for water displacer, which was perfected on the 40th attempt. It's main ingredient is fish oil.
The two stone lions in front of the New York Public Library are currently named Patience and Fortitude.
The letter "J" does not appear anywhere within the periodic table of the elements.
Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street share the same names as Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in "It's a Wonderful Life."
History Trivia
When George Washington was elected President, there was a King in France, a Tsarina in Russia, an Emperor in China, and a Shogun in Japan.
Six people died in Oregon during World War II as a result of Japanese balloon bombs.
The dome on Monticello conceals a billiard room (billiards were illegal in Virginia at that time).
Armored knights raised their helmet visors to identify themselves when they rode past royalty. This custom was evolved into the military hand salute.
Spiral staircases in medieval castles turn right as they ascend. This was so that right handed knights defending the castle could more easily combat invading foes who were climbing the stairs.
Dashing horses kicking up mud, splashing the passengers riding behind them in a carriage, led to the invention of the dashboard.
Neil Armstrong first stepped on the moon with his left foot.
Great Britain was the first country to issue postage stamps, so theirs are the only stamps in the world not to bear the name of the country of origin. And the glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher.
Sputnik,the first Russian satellite, was launched on October 4, 1957, the same day that "Leave It To Beaver" debuted.
The Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper.
The U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia for approximately 2 cents an acre.
Robert E. Lee is the only person to date to have graduated from West Point military academy without a single demerit.
Six people died in Oregon during World War II as a result of Japanese balloon bombs.
The dome on Monticello conceals a billiard room (billiards were illegal in Virginia at that time).
Armored knights raised their helmet visors to identify themselves when they rode past royalty. This custom was evolved into the military hand salute.
Spiral staircases in medieval castles turn right as they ascend. This was so that right handed knights defending the castle could more easily combat invading foes who were climbing the stairs.
Dashing horses kicking up mud, splashing the passengers riding behind them in a carriage, led to the invention of the dashboard.
Neil Armstrong first stepped on the moon with his left foot.
Great Britain was the first country to issue postage stamps, so theirs are the only stamps in the world not to bear the name of the country of origin. And the glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher.
Sputnik,the first Russian satellite, was launched on October 4, 1957, the same day that "Leave It To Beaver" debuted.
The Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper.
The U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia for approximately 2 cents an acre.
Robert E. Lee is the only person to date to have graduated from West Point military academy without a single demerit.
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