My son got to go on his first rollercoaster recently, and it turns out it's one of the oldest coasters in world still in operation. Here's footage from 1920, or therabouts, of Kennywood Park's Jack Rabbit, surely as terrifying then as it is now!
The Jack Rabbit was built shortly after Miller patented a new track design in 1920 (which all wooden coasters built since have used). This design involved the use of wheels both under and over the track, which allowed Miller to create the then enormous 70-foot (21 m) drop that is the attraction's largest. It is most well known for its double dip element following the lift hill. The double dip produces strong airtime that makes the rider feel that they will be thrown from the seat, and a feeling that the train leaves the track (it rises up but the upstop wheels keep it firmly on the rails).
Whenever I watch documentaries, there's one thought that I can't shake: "how are these people filming this?" Moving toward the action is a required impulse for documentarians. No matter how horrifically violent or emotionally scarring the event they're capturing is, documentary teams constantly aim to capture moments in progress. I don't know about you, but… READ THE REST
Thanks to social media, one can make a fortune through shameless publicity stunts and infamy. In any other era, Danielle" Bhad Bhabie" Bregoli couldn't have built a multi-million dollar empire by threatening to beat her mother on live television. Novelty fame/infamy isn't as fleeting as it used to be. Prior to the internet, becoming famous overnight was already a… READ THE REST
I've spent the last 15 years actively trying to forget high school, and it's actually been going pretty well. Whenever I flashback to the era, I see a haze of faces and events that thankfully become hazier and more unrecognizable every year. Consequently, I never take the time to look back at my yearbooks. In… READ THE REST
Nearly everyone has scrolled through Instagram only to find an ad for the hotel they were just talking about 10 minutes earlier. Whether it was just a coincidence or you were "being listened to" is always up for debate. Still, it's hard not to feel uneasy knowing someone or something is potentially using your info to manipulate… READ THE REST
Even with today's massive array of innovative gizmos and gadgets at your disposal, getting your hands on professional-grade tech for your home can be a little tricky, not to mention quite expensive. And if you've ever searched for quality audio tools for your home studio, you likely have experienced this frustration. Whether you write and record your own… READ THE REST
Did you know that 70% of the oxygen we breathe comes from the ocean, specifically tiny plant-like plankton called Pyrocystis? Well, what if you can grow those tiny Pyrocystis in your own home and enjoy the benefits? Now, that's a possibility, thanks to PyroFarms. For several years, the citizen scientists at PyroFarms have been growing dinoflagellates Pyrocystis. Their mission is to "bring nature's natural wonder, beauty,… READ THE REST
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