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The aim of IYA 2009 is to stimulate interest worldwide especially amongst young people in Astronomy & Science under 1 central theme "THE UNIVERSE, YOURS TO DISCOVER". | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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What Is Astronomy? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Astronomy word comes from the Greek words astron, "star", and nomos, "law". There are different definitions of Astronomy. Some define it as a branch of science dedicated to the study of the motions and natures of celestial bodies, like planets, stars, and galaxies. Others say it is the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere and of their physical and chemical properties. Still others would say it is the study of everything, because it is a study of the universe and everything is part of the universe.
Astronomy is not a "stand-alone" science. It combines areas from a number of other fields, including mathematics, chemistry, geology, biology and physics. In fact, physics is such an integral part of the field that many astronomers are also known as Astrophysicists. The study of our universe is not new. Astronomy is the oldest science. People have been looking up, trying to explain the universe for as long as there have been people. Some of the earliest Astronomers were priests and holy men, studying the movement of celestial bodies to determine celebrations and planting cycles. The ancient Greeks were the first to start developing astronomy theories about the design of the Universe. There have been many astronomers throughout history who have played important roles in the science. Many have later been proved wrong as our knowledge and technology improved, but if not for the earlier work, later scientists would have had nothing on which to base their research. Basics Series: What You Need To Know About Astronomy By Nick Greene, About.com |
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Specific Subfields of Astronomy |
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Ancient Indian Astronomy |
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Like many other branches of knowledge, the origins of the science of astronomy in India have to be traced back to the Vedas. In the Vedic literature, Jyotisa is one of the six auxiliaries (shadangas) of the Vedic corpus of knowledge. The six vedangas are | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Its is important to note that although in modern common parlance the word Jyotisa is used to mean predictive astrology, in the earlier literature Jyotisa included all the aspects of astronomy. Of course, mathematics was regarded as a part of Jyotisa. Vedangajyotisa is the earliest Indian astronomical text available. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source:Indian Astronomy – An Introduction By S Balachandra Rao |
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Astronomy in Ancient India |
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Ancient India's contributions in the field of astronomy are well known and well documented. The earliest references to astronomy are found in the Rig Veda, which are dated 2000 BC. During next 2500 years, by 500 AD, ancient Indian astronomy has emerged as an important part of Indian studies and its affect is also seen in several treatises of that period. In some instances, astronomical principles were borrowed to explain matters, pertaining to astrology, like casting of a horoscope. Apart from this linkage of astronomy with astrology in ancient India, science of astronomy continued to develop independently, and culminated into original findings, like: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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There are astronomical references of chronological significance in the Vedas. Some Vedic notices mark the beginning of the year and that of the vernal equinox in Orion. This was the case around 4500 BC. Fire altars, with astronomical basis, have been found in the third millennium cities of India. The texts that describe their designs are conservatively dated to the first millennium BC, but their contents appear to be much older. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is actually one of six major observatories built by the Maharajah. The one in Jaipur not only follows the movements of the sun and the moon to help determine auspicious dates for events, it also helps map out the position of the stars in the sky. Although no telescopic instruments were available at the time, the precise observation of the stars was greatly facilitated by observatories such as Jantar Mantar.
It should also be noted that such an endeavor (six major observatories, a staff of full-time priests etc.) did not come to a small cost. This is further evidence of the importance placed on the study of the stars. As mentioned earlier, both astrology and astronomy were reasons to build these structures. Unlike the "west", astrology did not become as pseudo-science as astronomy became more factual and experimental. Instead, both were considered an integral part of society. |
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India's Contribution to Astronomy |
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Astronomy is one area which has fascinated all mankind from the beginnings of history. In India the first references to astronomy are to be found in the Rig Veda which is dated around 2000 B.C. Vedic Aryans in fact deified the Sun, Stars and Comets. Astronomy was then interwoven with astrology and since ancient times Indians have involved the planets (called Grahas) with the determination of human fortunes. The planets Shani, i.e. Saturn and Mangal i.e. Mars were considered inauspicious. In the working out of horoscopes (called Janmakundali), the position of the Navagrahas, nine planets plus Rahu and Ketu (mythical demons, evil forces) was considered. The Janmakundali was a complex mixture of science and dogma. But the concept was born out of astronomical observations and perception based on astronomical phenomenon. In ancient times personalities like Aryabhatta and Varahamihira were associated with Indian astronomy. It would be surprising for us to know today that this science had advanced to such an extent in ancient India that ancient Indian astronomers had recognised that stars are same as the sun, that the sun is center of the universe (solar system) and that the circumference of the earth is 5000 Yojanas. One Yojana being 7.2 kms., the ancient Indian estimates came close to the actual figure. Aryabhatta's Magnum Opus, the Aryabhattiya was translated into Latin in the 13th century. Through this translation, European mathematicians got to know methods for calculating the areas of triangles, volumes of spheres as well as square and cube root. Aryabhatta's ideas about eclipses and the sun being the source of moonlight may not have caused much of an impression on European astronomers as by then they had come to know of these facts throught the observations of Copernicus and Galileo. But considering that Aryabhatta discovered these facts 1500 years ago, and 1000 years before Copernicus and Galileo makes him a pioneer in this area too. Aryabhatta's methods of astronomical calculations expounded in his Aryabhatta-siddhanta were reliable for practical purposes of fixing the Panchanga (Hindu calendar). Thus in ancient India, eclipses were also forecast and their true nature was perceived at least by the astronomers. The lack of a telescope hindered further advancement of ancient Indian astronomy. Though it should be admitted that with their unaided observations with crude instruments, the astronomers in ancient India were able to arrive at near perfect measurement of astronomical movements and predict eclipses. Indian astronomers also propounded the theory that the earth was a sphere. Aryabhatta was the first one to have propounded this theory in the 5th century. Another Indian astronomer, Brahmagupta estimated in the 7th century that the circumference of the earth was 5000 yojanas. A yojana is around 7.2 kms. Calculating on this basis we see that the estimate of 36,000 kms as the earth's circumference comes quite close to the actual circumference known today. |
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Indian Astronomers |
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International Year of Astronomy |
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The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) is a year long celebration of astronomy, taking place in 2009 to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the first recorded astronomical observations with a telescope by Galileo Galilei and the publication of Johannes Kepler's Astronomia nova in the 17th century. [1] The Year was declared by the 62nd General Assembly of the UN. A global scheme, laid out by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), has also been endorsed by UNESCO - the UN body responsible for Educational, Scientific and Cultural matters. [3] The opening ceremony was held in Paris on Jan. 15-16, 2009. Source : Wikipedia |
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IYA2009 General |
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The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is a global effort initiated by the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vision |
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Everyone should realise the impact of astronomy and other fundamental sciences on our daily lives, and understand how scientific knowledge can contribute to a more equitable and peaceful society. IYA2009 activities will take place locally, nationally, regionally and internationally. National Nodes have been formed in each country to prepare activities for 2009. These nodes will establish collaborations between professional and amateur astronomers, science centres and science communicators to prepare activities for 2009. Already now, 136 countries are involved and well over 140 are expected to participate eventually. To help coordinate this huge global programme and to provide an important resource for the participating countries, the IAU has established a central Secretariat and an IYA2009 website (www.astronomy2009.org) as the principal IYA2009 resource for public, professionals and media alike. |
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Source: Astronomy 2009 website |
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About IYA2009 |
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The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) will be a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, highlighted by the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo Galilei. The aim of the Year is to stimulate worldwide interest, especially among young people, in astronomy and science under the central theme "The Universe, Yours to Discover". IYA2009 events and activities will promote a greater appreciation of the inspirational aspects of astronomy that embody an invaluable shared resource for all nations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The IYA2009 activities will take place at the global and regional levels, and especially at the national and local levels. National Nodes in each country have been formed to prepare activities for 2009. These Nodes establish collaborations between professional and amateur astronomers, science centers, educators, and science communicators. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source: Astronomy 2009 website |
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Goals and Objectives |
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The major goals of IYA2009 are to: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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IYA2009 Organisation |
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IYA2009 will promote and facilitate the creation of international networks to foster a global appreciation of the role and value of science and astronomy as a unifying activity for humanity. IYA2009 will start up, connect and support networks of professional and amateur astronomers, educators and astrophysicists from all over the world, so that all these valuable sources of knowledge can be shared. The networks of hundreds, if not thousands of astronomical organisations, nationally and internationally, will be one of the legacies of IYA2009 that will last far beyond the year 2009.
The activities of IYA2009 will largely take place at the national level: after only nine months, a significant global network has already been created. This network has reached 136 countries and a total of 140 are eventually expected to join, making it possible to reach out to 97% of the world’s population. |
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Source:Astronomy 2009 website | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The International Year of Astronomy Wallpapers by Bharat Petroleum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Delicious Recipes for Pongal! |
Pongal is one of the most popular harvest festival of South India, mainly Tamil Nadu. Pongal falls in the mid-January every year and marks the auspicious beginning of Uttarayan - sun's journey northwards. Pongal festival lasts for four days. Celebrations include drawing of Kolam, swinging & cooking of delicious Pongal. |
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Soak rice for 15 minutes. Allow the milk and coconut extract to boil, add the soaked rice and cook. After it is cooked, add sugar, cardamom powder and almonds and let it boil for 5 minutes. Add the evaporated milk and let it boil. |
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Ingredients:
Soak the almonds for an hour. Drain. Remove the skin and grind into a thick smooth paste adding minimum water. In a thick vessel, mix sugar and 1/4 cup water and heat. When the sugar is completely melted, add this paste and cook this for five minutes. Add ghee and remove from fire. Pour it on a large palate and smoothen the surface of the mixture with a roller. Then cut with a knife by drawing parallel lines in the form of cubes. |
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Vasant Panchami / Shree Panchami / Saraswati Puja |
Vasant Panchami is a festival that worships Goddess Saraswati as well as it signifies the beginning of Vasant Ritu (spring season). Magh Sud 5 (5th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magh – falls usually in the month of January or February) is the day of Vasant Panchami and is also celebrated as Shree Panchami or Saraswati Puja in West Bengal and few other parts of Orissa. |
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Delicious Recipes for Vasant Panchami! |
Methi Ki Puri is a very nutritious as well as very tasty Indian bread. A filling prepared with fenugreek leaves and other spices is stuffed in wheat flour ball and then fried. |
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Delicious Recipes for Holi |
Ingredients: |
For Bhallas:
For Bhallas:
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Mahashivaratri Festival |
Mahashivaratri Festival or the ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to the month of February - March in English Calendar. Celebrating the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva. |
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Shivaratri Recipes |
Ingredients (makes 8 glasses):
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Ingredients: (makes - 7 to 8 tikkis)
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Datawind Unveils Handheld Internet Device in India - PocketSurfer2 |
Datawind Ltd., a provider of wireless web access products and services, unveiled the PocketSurfer2 that they claim to be the world's fastest handheld internet device, in India, offering free mobile internet access. The device weighs 174 grams and runs on the revolutionary ‘Free Usage’ model, through which consumers can enjoy real internet anytime, anywhere in India.
Speaking on the occasion, Suneet Singh Tuli, Chief Executive Officer, DataWind, said, “For the consumer looking for a mobile internet solution, PocketSurfer2 hits the spot. With PocketSurfer2, mobile users can surf the Internet anytime, any place and enjoy the same rich media graphics and browser functionality of the desktop experience! This device is going to revolutionize the way we work, play communicate and fully leverage the web wirelessly”. Allowing users to browse the web in its original layout, the PockeSurfer2 aims to provide a true desktop experience away from the PC with a 640 pixel full-color, wide screen displaying web-pages with full HTML, graphics, Java-Script, Ajax, Frames, and other complex web functionality. The metallic backlit QWERTY keyboard with tactile response and keys that are 6X larger than those available on other handhelds will allow users to easily compose emails or interact with web sites. The PocketSurfer2 benefits also include:
Available at an affordable price of Rs. 11, 990 (inclusive of taxes), the PocketSurfer2 will be distributed in India by HCL Infosystems. What the company implies with regards to ‘Free Usage’ Model is that the PocketSurfer2 offers free usage of 35 hours per month for a whole year. Unlimited Usage plan is available at just Rs. 99/- p.m. Second year of service is just Rs. 999. |
To read more click here |
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Mahindra unveils multi purpose vehicle Xylo | |||||||||||||||
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XYLO Story | |||||||||||||||
THE WAY FORWARD | |||||||||||||||
To build a car that has everything the customer wants, it is essential to understand what he wants first.
This has been the basic principle behind the Xylo. The result was a car that was fluent in form and function. A car that was truly world class. And a car that was in sync with your requirements. XYLO Features |
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STYLE | |||||||||||||||
The first thing you notice about the Mahindra Xylo is its masculinity. Its poise. And its attitude. You wonder if the aggressive front grill (with chrome slats) is responsible for this. For sure, the sleek, sloping bonnet adds to its imposing stance. And alloy wheels further enhance this car's allure. The sporty dials, the trims and the plush seating add to its style.
All in all, this car surely puts sedans out of fashion. |
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Handy Car Tips: Quick Fixes for Small Automotive Problems |
Car repairs are costly. Parts and hourly labor can drive a small car repair right through the roof. Use this handy guide to make small repairs to your car or truck, and pick up a few tips and tricks that will make car maintenance and driving life a little easier. Sticky Locks For a lock that sticks, you might immediately think lubrication, but it is actually best not to spray oil inside a sticky lock. Oily lubricants only collect more gunk that gums up the locks even more. To free locks, ground up bits of powdery graphite (pencil lead) is what you need. Graphite powder is sold commercially in aerosol cans, but if you don’t have a can on hand, try this quick home fix: color the end of your key with a soft lead pencil, then insert it and turn the lock a couple of times to free it up. Body Rust If a patch of rust on your vehicle is small and only on the surface, you can save yourself a costly trip to the body shop with this tid-bit of handy automotive information. Rub away small rust patches by dipping a piece of steel wool in kerosene and buffing out the spot. Balling up aluminum foil and dipping it in water is another reported method for rubbing rust away. Dents Here’s something to try before you pay the body shop big bucks for a fast fix on a dented car or truck body. Get the toilet plunger (clean if necessary) and place it over the dent. Pump the plunger to create suction, and pull. The dent should pop out when you pull away the plunger. For a large dented area, you might try to pop most (or all) of the dent out by carefully banging on the dent from the back of the panel using a rubber mallet. Sticker removal Old parking stickers or permits clouding your view? Try these tips for getting off stickers and the residue they leave behind. Rub stickers and left over glue with nail-polish remover or lighter fluid and scrape away with a flat razor blade. Rub salad or cooking oil onto the sticker and let it penetrate the old decal. Scrape with a razor or similar flat edge. Flat nylon pan scrapers are harmless scraping tools, too. For a gentle scrubber to loosen remaining glue goo, ball up a plastic net bag (the kind onions come in). Scrub the goo with soap and water or one of the products mentioned above. Tar and Bugs Two of the most plaguing nemeses on the road: tar and insects. Follow these tips for removal. Soak caked on tar in linseed oil. Leave the oil to soak until the hardened tar softens, then rub it away with a cloth. The plastic net onion bag you used to scrub away the sticker glue makes a great scrubber for removing dead bugs, too. Use it to rub insect carcasses from the windshield. Here’s a bonus: sap drips from trees can be rubbed away with a little turpentine on a cloth. It is supposed to be safe for your paint if you wash the turpentine thoroughly immediately afterwards, but turpentine is a paint thinner, so it is probably best to save this tip for windshields and windows only. Still be sure to thoroughly wash the turpentine from your windows, to be safe. Extra Shine Want a super-gleaming shine on your car? After you wax it, sprinkle a littlr cornstarch onto a buffing cloth and buff. Cornstarch is known to remove built-up polish and will give your car an extra shiny coat. Foggy Windows If you hate looking at your smeared handprint left from when you weren’t patient enough to wait for the defroster to clear the windshield, keep a chalkboard eraser in the glove compartment and use it to wipe the windshield down. Better yet, prevent fogging by coating your window with shaving cream. Apply the cream to a damp sponge and buff the window clear with paper towels. Repeat whenever the windows begin to collect fog again, or after washing your windows with window cleaner. Air Fresheners Keep your car smelling great by filling the ashtray with potpourri. Potpourri has a stronger scent and lasts longer than cardboard air fresheners. Another option - tuck fabric softener sheets into seat and door pockets. Ash Trays Are you a non-smoker and you want to discourage others from smoking in your car? Fill a clean ash tray with pieces of hard candy or gum. Your guests won’t be able to put their cigarettes out in it, and the candy might just give them an alternative oral fixation to focus on for a little while. By the way, gum is also recommended as an on-hand emergency quick fix for patching up small leaks, like covering up a hole in a leaky fuel tank until your can get to a repair shop. If you do smoke or allow others to smoke in your vehicle, make sure the butts go out and aren’t left to smolder in the ashtray by pouring baking soda in bottom of the ashtray. The baking soda will smother the burning cigarette and help absorb the odors, too. Corroded Terminals Corroded battery terminals that are losing their connectivity can be cleaned with a solution of baking soda and water. Prevent corrosion by covering the terminals with petroleum jelly, but make sure the connection points are clean and secure. Spark Plug Cleaner Dirty spark plugs that aren’t firing correctly are fairly easily cleaned with commercial oven cleaner. Soak the spark plug tips in the oven cleaner for two hours. Scrape away hard to remove or left over grime with an emery board (fingernail file) or sand paper. Leaky Radiator Until you can get it fixed, try dumping a little black pepper into the radiator to seal a small leak. The pepper travels and collects to stop up the hole. Parking Is your car or truck impossible to find in a crowd? Try topping the antenna with a bright colored ribbon, a hollow rubber ball, or one of those funny antenna ornaments. Focus on looking for your decoration rather than just your vehicle in a crowded lot. Don’t sweat it in the summertime, try this tip to keep your seats cool in the sun. Put an open umbrella upside down on the seat to avoid burning yourself when you get in. These are some fast and fun tips and tricks to keep your car or truck running, clean it up nicely and save yourself some hassle. Think about them the next time you have a tough to clean car project or if you need a fast, cheap fix. |
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Troubles in a Car’s Charging System |
Trouble in a car’s charging system generally shows up as one or more of the following conditions: |
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Before making any electrical checks, inspect all connections, including the slip-on connectors at the regulator and alternator, to make sure they are clean and tight. Since the regulator terminals are of the slip-on type, a special cable assembly (adapter) must be used during the testing so that the meter connections can be made to the terminals. Such an adapter is available from various test-equipment manufacturers and companies that supply the automotive field. Always proceed carefully and follow instructions for use of the said adapter. |
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How to Disassemble an Alternator |
The typical alternator has four assemblies: two end frames, a stator and a rotor. To disassemble the unit, first remove the first through-bolts and separate the drive end frame and rotor assembly from the stator assembly. This is done using a screwdriver at the stator slit to pry apart both assemblies. Scribe marks will aid in reassembling the parts correctly. After disassembly, place a piece of pressure-sensitive tape over the slip ring end-frame bearing and over the shaft on the slip ring end to keep dirt from the bearing and shaft. Never use friction tape; it will leave a gummy deposit on the shaft. To remove the drive end frame from the rotor, place the rotor in a vise and tighten the vise only to permit removal of the shaft nut. Excessive tightening of the vise may cause distortion of the rotor. Remove the shaft nut, washer, pulley, fan and collar, and then separate the drive end frame from the rotor shaft. |
A Picture of the Internal Construction of a Typical Automotive Alternator |
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Tips for Maintenance of Steering Gear Systems |
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Handy hints and tips |
Look after your windscreen and it will look after you |
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Weight loss |
Do you ever find yourself reading weight loss tips thinking, "Yeah, right. Like I'm going to do that."? Well, I've felt that way too. For example, I dare say the day will ever come when brushing my teeth as the impulse to indulge hits will make it any easier for me to pass on dessert! A weight loss tip needs to be something you'll actually do for it to work, right? So, I'd like to share some of the easiest and most effective weight loss tips that have helped me to achieve and maintain weight loss over the years. I hope that you'll find them helpful. |
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Who invented the paperclip? |
When Johann Vaaler patented his paper clip in 1901, there already were similar designs on the books. William Middlebrook of Waterbury, Connecticut patented his design in 1899. Cornelius Brosnan of Springfield, Massachusetts patented his Konaclip in 1900.
So, who was first? Well, it is thought to be Johann Vaaler. Drawings of his design date to early 1899, but since Norway had no patent law at the time, he had to seek patent rights in Germany and the US in the following years. Johann Vaaler was born on 15 March 1866 in Aurskog, Norway. Known as an innovator in his youth, he graduated in electronics, science and mathematics. He was employed by the owner of a invention office when he invented the paperclip in 1899. Several designs followed the original. Only a few remain, such as the Ideal, Non-Skid, Owl and Gem. The first double-oval clip, the Gem, was launched in early-1900 by Gem Manufacturing Ltd of England. |
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An espresso has less caffeine than a cup of coffee! |
A cup of drip brewed coffee has about 115 milligrams of caffeine, an espresso (and percolated coffee) about 80mg, while instant coffee has about 65mg of caffeine. Decaffeinated coffee is not totally caffeine free, containing about 3mg of caffeine. A can of Coca-Cola has about 23mg of caffeine, Pepsi Cola 25mg, Mountain Dew 37mg, and TAB 31mg. Tea has about 40mg of caffeine, while an ounce of chocolate contains about 20mg.
The first Espresso machine was introduced in 1822 by the French, but it was the Italians who perfected and distributed it. |
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Why is a hamburger called a hamburger although it contains no ham? |
During a trip to Asia in the early 1800s, a German merchant - it is said - noticed that the nomadic Tartars softened their meat by keeping it under their saddles. The motion of the horse pounded the meat to bits. The Tartars would then scrape it together and season it for eating. The idea of pounded beef found its way back to the merchant's home town of Hamburg where cooks broiled the meat and referred to it as it as Hamburg meat. German immigrants introduced the recipe to the US. The term "hamburger" is believed to have appeared in 1834 on the menu from Delmonico's restaurant in New York but there is no surviving recipe for the meal. The first mention in print of "Hamburg steak" was made in 1884 in the Boston Evening Journal. The honour of producing the first proper hamburger goes to Charlie Nagreen of Seymour, WI. In 1885 Nagreen introduced the American hamburger at the Outgamie County Fair in Seymour. (Seymour is recognised as the hamburger capital of the world.) |
However, there is another claim to that throne. There is an account of Frank and Charles Menches who, also in 1885, went to the Hamburg, New York county fair to prepare their famous pork sausage sandwiches. But since the local meat market was out of pork sausage, they used ground beef instead. Alas, another hamburger. The first account of serving ground meat patties on buns - taking on the look of the hamburger as we know it today - took place in 1904 at the St. Louis World Fair. But it was many years later, in 1921, that an enterprising cook from Wichita, Kansas, Walt Anderson, introduced the concept of the hamburger restaurant. He convinced financier Billy Ingram to invest $700 to create The White Castle hamburger chain. It was an instant success. The rest of the history, we might say, belongs to McDonald's. And, no, a hamburger does not have any ham in it. Well, it's not supposed to. Hamburger meat usually is made of 70-80% beef, and fat and spices. |
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