Construction of the dirigible Akron

  The Akron was a helium-filled dirigible built for the Navy in 1930,  it and sister ship Macon were a new generation of dirigibles with many improvements and developments in construction. Designed as an aerial aircraft carrier, it was to carry five aircraft contained within the envelope and launched from a trapeze.

   The lifting gas was helium, a huge improvement over the inflammable hydrogen used earlier. The inert gas was carried in 12 independent "bags", allowing the engines to be mounted inside the envelope. using shafts to drive the propellers which were mounted on streamlined pods. 

  Hard to imagine the scale, the 785 foot long frame consisted of 132 foot diameter structural Howe-truss rings that were self supporting, rather than ribs and wires of the Zeppelin design. The 10 main rings were 74 feet apart, with 3 lighter frames between each pair. The envelope was also a new material, rubber impregnated cotton, a huge improvement over the Zeppelin's cow intestine-based skin. 

  With all the modern developments, this ship seemed like a practical way forward for the lighter than air craft. It first flew in September 1931, unfortunately on April 4th 1933 it went down off the coast on New Jersey in a thunderstorm, killing 73 of the 76 on board. 

Investigation of Dirigible disasters

 

Motobecane 350 triple

   In the 1960's this French manufacturer's main business was bicycles, mopeds and light motorcycles. In 1972, they introduced their first full-size modern bike, a 2 stroke 350 triple. Although it doesn't look too different than the Kawasaki S-2, it had apparently been in development for a few years and was not simply a copy. In 1974, a prototype fuel injected 500cc version was in development. 

The 350 was sold between 1972 and 1975, during that time production was under 800 units.

 Motobecane went bankrupt in 1981 and was bought by Yamaha.

new hermes Pantographic Jewelry Engraving Machine

Youtube on machine operation 

        

 

Malsbary 1680 wrench

 This is another implement wrench, this time supplied with the company's main product, a grain drill that attached to a gang plough. I thought fields had to be disced and harrowed before planting, but what do I know?

wrenchwiki

Wright Brothers Glider

National Geographic Society, Those Inventive Americans, 1971

 The Wright brothers have a moment when a gust of wind interrupts a glider takeoff in 1911. No real damage, the next day Orville piloted the craft to a record breaking 9 3/4 minute soaring flight. The record lasted 10 years.

Barbed Wire, 1877

  Although the first patent for barb wire was issued in 1867 to Lucien B. Smith of Kent Ohio, Joseph Gidden made some improvements and his patent resulted in what we know today as barbed wire. The lower costs associated with fencing with barb wire made enclosing livestock much more affordable, leading to largeer farms.

Another job you probably wouldn't want to do, Tire maker

1910, A tire maker at Goodyear pulls rubber-reinforced cotton fabric over a steel core before stretching on the tread. Below, by 1971 much of the physicality of the job was gone, replaced by the boredom of the production line though it still is not an easy pleasant job. 

 

Monday Mystery, British made Multi-tool

A pretty serious looking multi-tool. Hammer, puller, ruler and on the back, even a file! British design registration number might be 841889 and that might be a logo, though I can't read it...

 

Puch ad

With a Dutch accent...

 

Sidecar Sunday

 

Ford Deluxe Club Plane

 Price on request, but if you have to ask...

Short Shetland

 A Short Shetland of the RAF Coastal Command showing off. 

The Shetland was designed to be the replacement for the WW2 Sunderland. It first flew in 1944 and only 2 aircraft were completed before the war ended. Number one burnt at its moorings in 1946, the second was outfitted with seats as a passenger carrier, it was scrapped in 1951.

Blue Point snap ring pliers

At about 16" long, this is truly a man-size tool for removing snap rings.

 

Radio comes to the CN Railway

Sandy Stewart, From Coast to Coast,  a Personal Account of Radio in Canada, CBC Enterprises, 1985

 After the formation of the Canadian National Railway as a crown corporation in 1919, the president, Sir Henry Thornton saw the possibilities of radio in promoting travel on the railway. The company set up a chain of radio broadcasting stations across the country and then produced content to fill the airwaves so passengers on the train would be kept entertained all across the country. 

This radio project ended in 1932 for two reasons, the government instituted cost cutting for the railway during the depression and had also decided there should be a national radio system. The stage was set for the formation of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, still with us today.

What do ya think, Joe?

A Google Lens search insists that it's the opening day of the new Save Way Service Station at Bay Street and Willow Avenue in Clifton on August 13 1971. I don't think it is. 

I think we could make up better stories than that.

Frction adjustable wrench

Another interesting design for an adjustable wrench. The lower jaw slides against the handle along a textured surface. The sleeve then slides down to lock them together. No name on this anywhere and a quick search by Google lens finds it being described as German or British in various ads. I have the idea that I've done a post on this or something very similar but how do I find it?

 

We used to make things in this country, Rawhide or metal?

Were there actually rawhide gears? 

Robert Gardner set his company up in 1850 as Robert Gardner, Novelty Iron Works to make machinery for candy and biscuit making. In 1934 the company was sold to John Braidwood.  Braidwood Industries is still in business as a gear maker. 

More history at vintagemachinery.org.

One of my vices is vises, another unknown. updated

No idea where this one came from, no markings on this handy device, perhaps there were decals on the flat areas at one time? The cast lugs seem like they're on the wrong side of the jaw but perhaps there are missing parts too.

Update, Thanks, Dave for the info below.

Patent 1425446

 

83rd anniversary of the Dieppe raid

Brigadier General Denis Whittaker, Dieppe,Tragedy to Triumph, McGraw-Hill Ryerson Press, 1992

  On Aug 19 1942, an Allied amphibious force conducted the first large scale raid on Europe landing at Dieppe. It was a disaster, It seemed as if the Germans knew they were coming, The Luftwaffe was ready and as the landing craft hit the beach, the defending guns were intact. The Allied tanks got stuck on the beach- actually small stones, despite the chespaling mentioned above. 

 The force barely got past the sea wall and inside of 10 hours, of the 6000 men who landed,  3600 had been killed, wounded or captured. Most of the force was Canadian, the 5000-strong force suffered a 68% casualty rate.

  The whole disastrous experience was justified as a learning experience and on D-Day these lessons contributed to the success of the invasion. 

 

Bugatti Type57SC

 

Gone fishing.....

 Heddon Lures was established in 1898 and is still producing fishing equipment.

Dodge Outboard Power Wagon

 

Monday Mystery, old wrench

Definitely from the around the turn of the last century but I can't make out the text; "Geo. Planet" maybe? Guesses welcomed.
 

Sidecar Sunday

 More leaning sidecar

Wilson Brothers Little Giant razor blade plane

 

Suzuki TS250 Savage

 The groundbreaking Yamaha DT-1 was introduced in 1968, Suzuki didn't wait to see how it sold, this is their offering in 1969.