Tag: WIN

Robert H. Keaton’s Contribution To The World: The Music Typing Machine

It’s an interesting arrangement that gives the Keaton Music Typewriter its distinctive look. In terms of engineering, thanks to a curved meter on the left that Keaton called the Scale Shift Handle and Scale Shift Indicator, it’s easy to control exactly where the notes and characters fall on the page. By moving the handle up or down a notch, the typewriter adjusts to print 1/24 inch in either direction. Moving one notch up or down will cause the character to fall one musical step either way.

It appears that the typed sheet music in the museum display (the 2nd image) is turned 90 degrees from the way the machine types, or perhaps it’s a different model.

[Images and text found here; Original Patent here; Video here.]

Enlaces Calientes para Cinco de Mayo

What’s the word?
No, really. What’s the word?
Oh, jeez. Last time. WHAT’S THE WORD?

Koala Mom.

Veteran Dan Crenshaw stands up.

Nicholas Sandmann did nothing wrong.

“There are demon worshipers in the cul-de-sac” [Sound up].

There is a reason that she’s referred to as Alexandria Occasional Cortex. (Dude wouldn’t post my polite comment either, even though I’ve been linking to his site for years.)

We took an unscheduled trip recently, and Bunkessa had some observations about the plane flights: “They treat us like children.”

“Get in line. No talking.”
“We’re not going anywhere until you buckle your seat belt.”
“Sit up straight.”
“Put your toys away.”
“We’re turning off the lights so you can sleep.”
“BTW, you’re grounded until we say otherwise.”
“Curfew is at 11PM.”
“Once we land, you may go to the Carousel.”

10 years ago. 5 years ago. 1 year ago.

[Top Image from here.]

Still Shot circa 1900 [updated]

He was a musician as well.

[Found here.]

[UPDATE: That’s not a still. It’s apparently a steam engine. See comments below.]

Hot Links and Airbags

Puke.

Asparagus FAQ.

Vindshield Viper.

There’s a lobster loose.

Arguing on Twitter is like…

Norm MacDonald is Polish.

How to introduce yourself to a dog.

The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo.

From the Fun Facts to Know and Tell Department: The English words “banana” and “yummy” supposedly come from Wolof, a language spoken in Senegal.

Awesome. Honda airbags were recalled a few years ago and now the replacement airbags have been recalled also.

[Top image from here.]

Saturday Matinee – Birdie Num Num, Death Pop, Favela Brass, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Jimmie Vaughan

A scene from The Party, a 1968 cult movie starring Peter Sellers.

I’m at a loss. Annoying death metal band lip-synchs to annoying pop band.

Favela means “slum” or “shantytown” in Portuguese. Awesome happens about 0:40 in. More here.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds were (and are) entirely awesome. Great lineup, including Jimmie Vaughan.

Yeah. Wait. That.

Have a great weekend, folks. Might have to go dark next week due to unfortunate family business, but don’t worry. We’ll be back soon enough.

 

The .Gif Friday Post No. 582 – Ice Ice Baby, Russian Generator & Pop’s House

[Found here, here and here.]

Snow What

[Found here.]

The Blue Angels

About midway through the Cleveland Air Races in 1946 an event placed somewhat inconspicuously on the program was dutifully announced over the public address system. The man said that a Navy Flight Exhibition team in four Grumman Bearcat fighters would demonstrate Navy precision flying in formation. On the team were a Lieutenant Commander, a Lieutenant and two Lieutenants Junior Grade. They were all Naval Aviators with combat records.

[…]

Such a four-plane formation employed so skillfully in the last war [WWII] gave cause for its leader, out-numbered fifteen to one, to exclaim without hesitation,

“Red Leader to Carrier, I have 60 Zeros surrounded and am proceeding to attack!” All of his four planes got back and were accredited 17 “kills.”

This week in 1946 Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Chester W. Nimitz ordered the creation of a flight demonstration team. In 1949, the team took the name Blue Angels.

This 1950 Proceedings article explains the Blue Angels’ early history.

Selective Demolition.

[Found here.]

Saturday Matinee – Robert “Junior” Lockwood, Robert Johnson & Eric Clapton

That’s Robert “Junior” Lockwood Jr. (1915-2006)

I had no idea of Lockwood’s pedigree when he showed up at an early morning jazz appreciation class I took in college. For him, it was all about the blues, and his lecture/demonstration blew me away.

He was taught guitar by Robert Johnson (1911-1938), the legendary King of the Delta Blues (and the Grandfather of Rock and Roll) hence the nickname Robert “Junior.”

Most of Robert Johnson’s songs have been covered by modern musicians, but I hadn’t heard the original “Hellhound On My Trail” until today. It’s got unusual chord patterns and rhythms:

You sprinkled hot foot powder
All around your daddy’s door.

Here’s Eric Clapton’s version from 2004, and it’s just as disturbing.

Have a great weekend, folks, and remember that everything’s gonna be alright.