Month: January 2003

This web reprint of a 1955 Life Magazine article details the death-filled results of the horrific ’55 LeMans Crash. This is the reason they now have barriers between the race cars and the crowd. J.G. Ballard might be interested in the description below.

As the race entered its third hour the cars were breaking records at every lap when Jaguar Driver Mike Hawthorn received a signal from his pit crew to stop for gas. As he braked, an Austin-Healey swerved to avoid him. A few lengths behind, Levegh raised his hand, signaling another Mercedes to slow up. At 150 mph he had no chance to do so himself.

Photo from Wilko’s Healy Page
Hitting the Healey, the Mercedes took off like a rocket, struck the embankment beside the track, hurtled end over end and then disintegrated over the crowd. The hood decapitated tightly jammed spectators like a guillotine. The engine and front axle cut a swath like an artillery barrage. And the car’s magnesium body burst into flames like a torch, burning others to death. In a few searing seconds 82 people were dead and 76 were maimed. Hawthorn, though unnerved, went on to win and set a new record. But few spectators had the enthusiasm to cheer.

Linked from Meme Pool

When I was in high school, I was in a rock band (I was lead screamer). On a few of our songs we used a drum machine, hoping to sound like those Roland 808s we heard on rap records. The closest we could get was a Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-55. Now you can try your hand at a Virtual DR-55 and relive the tinny sound.

Here’s a distressing report about The End of Bananas as We Know Them

LONDON (Reuters) – It is one of the world’s favorite fruits, but the banana hasn’t had sex in years and its days may be are numbered.
Without scientific help the sterile, seedless fruit could disappear with 10 years, according to a Belgian plant pathologist.
Emile Frison, the head of the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain in Monpellier, France, said the fruit lacks the genetic diversity to fight off diseases and pests that are plaguing banana plantations and only biotechnology and genetic manipulation may be able to save it.

Photo from World Food Habits Bibliography
Future inventions: Banana Viagra, Banana Hookers, Banana Sex Therapist

The part of me that is secretly a 14-year-old Japanese schoolgirl really loves Afro Ken, the mascot whose hair adapts, chameleon-like, to whatever he sidles up to. And now there’s this, the proud winners of the Afro Ken Look-a-like Competition. How cool is that?

However, you could take collecting cute character products to an extreme, say Band-Aids. At least they’re not used Band-Aids. Eww.

There are plenty of places I’d like to live. But I one place I certainly don’t want to step foot in