Check out these prototype engineering pictures:
Argonne, KAERI to develop prototype nuclear reactor
Image by Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne will support the Korean Atomic Power Investigation Institute’s development of a Prototype Generation-IV Sodium-cooled Quick Reactor that incorporates an innovative metal fuel developed at Argonne. The fuel’s inherent safety prospective was demonstrated in landmark tests performed on the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II. Image credit: KAERI. Study a lot more »
1955 Leyland Bus, Longwell Green Coach Works
Image by brizzle born and bred
1955 Leyland Double Decker Bus at Longwell Green Coach Operates BS30.
W.J. Bence & Sons – Pioneer’s of Early Motor Transport.
New Book About Bristol’s buses
When the very first double-decker buses left the factory and took to the roads, they encountered a key problem – they have been just too high to get under most railway bridges.
One particular answer, perhaps the most obvious, was to reduced the ceiling on the upper deck.
But even though the engineers managed to minimize the height by about a foot or so, the bench-sort seating arrangements upstairs and encroachment into the reduce deck proved unworkable.
There just wasn’t sufficient space for the passengers to sit comfortably.
The Bristol Tramways and Carriage Firm, then primarily based in Brislington, toiled for several years to overcome the problem.
As an alternative of hunting at the upper deck, engineers thought about lowering the chassis and, in 1949, the first of two prototypes took to the road.
The bus, a wonderful example of Bristol engineering and design, was recognized as the Bristol Lodekka.
With an general height of about 13ft 6in, a drop-centre design and style rear axle permitted a a lot lower floor on the bottom deck and a conventional layout on the best deck.
Production started in 1954 and the Lodekka quickly became a staple of the bus scene. Organizations across the UK had been quickly snapping them up.
A single man who remembers the vehicle with fantastic fondness is Brislington-born author and bus enthusiast Martin Curtis.
He told Bristol Times: "My father, Don, worked on the really initial prototype at Brislington’s Motor Constructional Performs. I was a bus enthusiast even prior to I started operating for the old Bristol Omnibus Firm in 1972.
"And because 1999, I’ve been managing director of the Bath Bus Business."
His book about the Lodekka – the sixth he has researched and written – covers the history, design, improvement and production of the car.
Packed with hundreds of illustrations, it includes chapters on prototypes and trials, pre-production models and then, lastly, how the Lodekka fared following the introduction of one particular- man-operated buses.
Martin, 53, mentioned: "It took me about a year to place collectively, with the photographs coming from a network of friends."
Though the bus chassis was built in Bristol, Martin recalls how the automobiles were then driven to Lowestoft in East Anglia to have the bodywork fitted.
He said: "The 265-mile trip took two days, and it certainly showed the autos were reputable and road-worthy.
"Like all the residents of Brislington, I was familiar with the sight of Lodekkas running around on test.
"Lots of people will bear in mind seeing them driven by way of Bristol’s streets minus their bodywork.
"It was a single of the most revolutionary double- decker designs ever observed."
Martin’s book is the 1st to cover the history of the Lodekka in depth.
He explains: "Bristol genuinely did lead the way when it came to lowering the entire height of the bus. Other producers tried, but failed.
"Over the subsequent three or 4 years, new legislation will imply all buses have to have low floors for simpler access.
"Yet, here in Bristol, 60 years ago, they had been already pioneering low-floor autos."
But as 1-man operated buses came onto the market place in the 1960s, so the writing was on the wall for the two-man (driver and conductor) Lodekka.
Then, rather unexpectedly, the bus was immortalised in well-liked British culture by the 1970s comedy series, On The Buses starring Reg Varney, which featured the vehicle.
Following their retirement from service, many of the buses survived by becoming converted into open-leading autos for seaside or city tour operate.
Martin said: "I seem to have tapped into the nostalgia marketplace.
"All my bus books have sold really nicely – the publishers are fairly surprised."
● Bristol Lodekka, by Martin S Curtis is published by Ian Allan. It fees £16.99.
Bookbinding Miniature Book. In Progress. | Catherine Mommsen Scott
Image by Doeki
2.five" x 3.5"
Prototype, reverse engineered from one of my initial books. Lost all my patterns in moving.
Faux leather cover with gold antiquing. Plain brown paper pages. Hand sewn, seven signatures of 5 sheets each.
Headband is mulberry paper and cord.