More photos of the past

_____________________________

Original captions, extra by moi. . . 

_____________________________

Construction on the Golden Gate Bridge began on January 5, 1933 and cost $35 million to build. However, it was completed ahead of the projected schedule and under budget by $1.3 million. Pretty impressive for such a huge undertaking.

Extra:

Some additional construction pics:

Spinning the main cables

_____________________________

This isn’t a temperpedic mattress. The prone position pilot bed was designed to counteract pilot fatigue, helping them to combat gravitational forces experienced during flight.

_____________________________

The Schienenzeppelin, a railcar designed to look like a Zeppelin, seen from the rear, was designed by Franz Kruckenberg in 1929. The German engineer developed a myriad of high speed trains in the 20’s and 30’s. The Schienenzeppelin reached a world record speed of 143 mph.

Extra:

Some additional pics . . .

I wonder about the safety of people on platforms near that giant propeller at the back.

_____________________________

The first slide in Britain, invented by Charles Wicksteed, photo taken 1922. It certainly looks more fun than most modern-day slides, probably because it was a lot less safe. Between the rickety ladders leading children to the top, and the unsmoothed, blister-riddled wooden slide itself, this would have been quite an experience.

Extra:

Some additional pics . . .

In the early days, there were separate slides for girls and for boys, though some boys seem to have sneaked on to these ones. The separation eventually stopped and the slides could be used by everyone.

Charles Wicksteed (in the centre of this picture) first made the slide for his amusement park, Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire, the first park of its kind in the UK. He then went on to sell them around the world. Wicksteed also invented other playground equipment.

_____________________________

Seven Spielberg with a miniature Indiana Jones set.  Spielberg is likely the most passionate, and intelligent, movie director of all-time. He knows how to perform every job on set, and could probably do them better than most employees.

_____________________________

The original model of Mount Rushmore, 1941. Money ran out before it could be completed. The massive sculpture which dominates the landscape of the Black Hills region took many years to develop. The project began in 1927 and was completed in 1941.

Extra:

Few people are aware of what the back side of the Mt Rushmore figures look like

Shortly after Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln’s faces were completed and dedicated in 1937, a bill was introduced in Congress to add the face of Susan B Anthony, American social reformer and women’s rights activist, to the mix, but times were tough, and an appropriations bill limited funding for adding another head. Teddy Roosevelt’s head would be added and dedicated as planned in 1939, but Susan B. Anthony never made it to the mountain.

_____________________________

A 250 kilo / 550 pounds diving suit from the 1900’s. 

Extra:

I was half expecting the above suit to start yelling “Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!”

_____________________________

At 5,000 pounds, this manta ray nearly destroyed a boat after getting caught in the anchor line. It had to be killed with a high-powered rifle by the Coast Guard.

Extra:

_____________________________

The all-terrain Model T, 1918, was a brief entry into the Ford line of vehicles. Rather than using a modern day 4-wheel drive system, it relied on large military wheels and snow cables.

Extra:

More all-terrain Model T’s . . .