Needlepoint VS. Airlines

Photo courtesy 123rf.com

If you're a needlepointer, like me, you need to carry some sort of cutting device with you to cut yarn.  However, airlines don't allow scissors or blades to be carried onto airplanes these days.  So, savvy needlepointers have come up with three ideas: 1)  carry an empty dental-floss case because the floss cutter built into the case will cut needlepoint yarn (this is what I have been doing), 2) carry nail-clippers, which will also cut needlepoint yarn, or 3) purchase this clever pair of tiny, short, round-tip scissors, called "Itty-Bitty Scissors" (this is what I want).

First Passenger Underground Railway

Photo of London Metropolitan construction courtesy London Transport Museum

On this day in 1863, the world's first passenger underground railway opened in London, called the London Metropolitan.  Click here to see pictures and photos, and for more historical information.

I've been on many underground railways around the world.  The ones I probably like the best are the NYC subways, San Francisco's BART, and the Paris Metro.  To me, by far the prettiest is the Paris Metro.  What is your favorite subway system?

Leonardo da Vinci's First Flying Machine

Photo of reconstruction of one of Leonardo da Vinci's flying devices courtesy www.leonardo3.net

On this day in 1496 Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) made his first attempt to launch a flying machine.  It was not successful, so he worked on the invention for several more years before he attempted another launch.  His first flying devices were based on the structure of birds' wings and bats' wings.  He also developed an idea for a helicopter-type device.  Click here to view reconstructions of several of his ideas for flying devices.

Leonardo da Vinci is one of history's most interesting persons for me.  I've read several biographies, and enjoy his paintings.  Who is one of your favorite historical persons and why?

Would You Fly In A Plastic Plane?

Photo courtesy of boeing787.net

The newest airplane in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner series landed its inaugural flight in Hong Kong a couple of hours ago.  This new plane is made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, not the metal of traditional planes.  It is comparatively light-weight, therefore is requires less fuel and maintenance, and so is cheaper to operate.

For more information, see an older news-story on the website for BBC News, and a current update from the Associated Press story in the Peoria, IL Journal Star newspaper's website.