Every man who runs a traction engine ought to know something of the magnitude of the force he is working with. He ought to know something about the strength of materials in his boiler and engine. He ought to know the exact construction of every part of his machine. He ought to know how to make all the necessary repairs and make all necessary adjustments and he ought to be familiar with the scientific laws governing every operation of an engine or any of its parts.Steam Engine Guide, by Professor P.S. Rose
14 comments:
Also known (generally) as the "10% Rule" in the Navy: "You must be 10% smarter than the equipment you are attempting to operate in order for it to function effectively."
Applying this to everyday life, about 1/3 of the drivers I encounter on my daily commute should not be allowed within 20 feet of a vehicle, whether theirs or not.
Aircraft? Firearms? Off-road vehicles? Amazing how the wisdom of the early 1900's can be applied today. Shameful how little of it is though. Thanks, as always, for the post.
Damn right!!
I'm under the general impression that the gun bloggers that are all connected together through these blog lists have no problems being 10% (or much more) smarter than the machines they use. Probably way more than 10% smarter than the public.
Merry Christmas to you Brigid, and to all that read your wonderful blog. You, we, all blessed!
I think I'm about 10% smarter than my guns... probably why I liek them so much... fun to work on... take apart... maintain... like growing up around the farm and in the country...
That being said... I open the hood of my Ford F-150 truck or wife's car... shake my head... close the hood... then head back to the John Deere diesel tractor in the barn... so can still be the smartest one in the room...
Dann in Ohio
If the steam engine were 'life', maybe this would be Robert Anson's version?
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
-Robert A. Heinlein
Always like to read what you and yours are thinking.
Peace.
PS I think maybe 10 percent of drivers are smarter than their seat warmers let alone the cars they sit in.
Just imagine the huge quantity of tools that would have to be packed in the trunk of a car to fix every possible unanticipated break-down! Perhaps steam engines were a bit easier to troubleshoot.
Merry Christmas Brigid! Rest well and enjoy the company of friends!
Routine and preventive maintenance on our vehicles, boat, and airplanes is simply a way of life. I can't imagine it any other way.
It's bad enough that I see fellow pilots and aircraft owners who barely know a thing about their flying machines other than how to get them in the air and then back on the ground.
Trust me--soon as you have an in-flight emergency, it sure helps to know more than the machinery does in order to do a quick diagnosis of what your best plan of action is.
Cars? I'm utterly flabbergasted at the MEN these days that don't even know how to open the hood. All they know how to do is pump the gas in. They trust their car to some quick-oil-change place for everything else, including a car wash. . .
At least in the boating world, most of the boat owners I know are pretty familiar with their boats.
But then again, with boats, you HAVE to be because there is nothing more mechanically unreliable in the entire universe than a boat.
Merry Christmas to you, Brigid. I've thoroughly enjoyed your blog this year.
--AOA
If you're ever out NC way let me know and I'll have one of the engines filled up and you can run it. The ZZ Peerless would be a good one. I'm assuming that since you know Professor Rose you can fire a traction engine?
Wonderful illustration of the "systems" vs. "appliance" dichotomy. The transition of automobile dashboard design from gauges to idiot lights or less typifies the mainstream. Fortunately, aviation has not followed suit; they may design for those smarter than the average bear.
Wish I could send a picture of my grandfather running a steam engine for a crew in Montana way back when. Those were definitely the days.
I think a big reason I enjoy your blog, its readers, their comments is because I feel like the dumbest, clumsiest, most ineloquent, least skilled, least travelled, least practical, most 'least' kid in class. It is not inferiority, just a testament to the caliber of you and your tribe.
It is good to see such strong competent humans caring about excellence and each other. Nice to read a blog that is intimate and personal and also deft, competent, insightful, informative and... hosts the welcome occasional discreet cleavage shot. And the food....the food... the food..
Passion and wisdom are underrated these days.Thanks for taking us along with you.
Merry Christmas to all.
neanderthal - thank you, those words made my day. I've a great bunch of friends, many I knew prior to the blog, some I met through it. I've been very blessed. I am glad so many wish to travel along on the daily adventures, even if it is just a plate of pancakes.
I like both Heinlein's version AND Brigid's version :D
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