Back at Ground Control

Display of the Rocketdyne Operations Support Center at California Science Center

Although I said a little while back that I would only be posting "Image of the Day" types of posts, the desire to share a bit more than a pretty picture occasionally gets the better of me. Since I have some time today, here are a few photos from my trip to the California Science Center to view the space shuttle, Endeavour.

It was an impressive exhibit. The various artifacts from the shuttle missions, diverse elements ranging from the "Space Potty" to the Space Shuttle Main Engines, presented a very engaging display of information. Merging the very human concerns of food and digestion with the highly technical elements of space flight, the exhibition was well grounded and very accessible.

The space shuttle Endeavour

But I was surprised by how wonderful it was to see the actual craft. It's a bit embarrassing to confess, but I got slightly choked up on seeing the Endeavour, feeling a bit of something similar to religious awe. Walking around and under, measuring by stride its length and width, viewing the tiles and surface texture, personally experiencing one of humankind's most remarkable constructs was shockingly vivid.

I'm curious to return again, perhaps sometime after the crowds of Summer. I wonder if this numinous sense of something "transcendent" will persist.

Looking at the Sun

The Sun behind a telephone pole

I'm an old-timer when it comes to photography, with most of my habits developed way back in the film exposure days. Although I have been using a digital camera for the past decade, I have a hard time shaking the techniques learned for an obsolete technology.

Lately, the unusually cold weather, at least for Southern California, has been weighing upon my mind. One idea that popped into my mind was whether or not the upper atmosphere would have enough ice crystals to create nice solar halos. People who live in northern climes are familiar with the phenomena of light refracted through ice, but the climate conditions don't show up that often in the Los Angeles region.

So, when running about my business, I looked up and, sure enough, I could see the circles glowing around the sun. Then, I began my quest to find a way to occlude the disk of the sun, so as to showcase the halo, earning many a green retinal burn along the way. ;-)

The sun partially obscured by a lamppost and the clouds

To be honest, I have never been much of a "Sky" photographer, especially not with a subject as difficult as the sun; give me the moon any day, or night. But repeat attempts brought out some decent images. It was a nice day for sky-gazing.

The rice blue skies, the wispy clouds, and the solar halos made for tough but engaging compositional elements. As the day progressed, I got to snap them from different angles. It was a fun project.

The upper arc of the solar halo, peeking over the top of a streetlamp

And that's when I came to a revelation. . .

Opportunites Presented by the Calendar

 Perpetual Calendar by Hemisferium (front)

If one is going to undertake a project, then it ought to be worthy of one's best effort. This is especially true for “labors of love” which give no material rewards, providing satisfaction only in having done it well. This is the situation that I find myself facing with this blog. I'm writing here merely because I want to share my thoughts and inspirations with the readers, but haven't been doing it as well as I would like. Therefore, it's time to rededicate myself, to return to a regular rate of blogging, to entertain and inform as best as my time and talent will allow.

With the flip of the calendar, I am presented with a new starting point, an opportunity to get back on track. I'm going to be putting back my old features to establish a reliable rhythm of blogging, from Silly Saturday to Friday Flowers, from Weekly Wraps to Monthly Dance Parties. Moreover, my 365 Photo project will formalize the previously haphazard “Image of the Day” posts upon which I have been heavily relying over the past few months.

At least, this is my intent. This is my resolution. I love writing, playing with words, conveying my experiences through prose and verse, even if they frequently drift to the shade of purple. So, I am again committed, dedicated anew to blogging, compelled to do it properly.

 Perpetual Calendar by Hemisferium (back)

And, hopefully, these words are worthy of you, my darling readers. ;-)

Conveying Similarities of Sound

Public Telephone, with LJ reflected upon the mirrored surface

Recently, while talking with a friend, I came across a public telephone. My friend expressed her surprise at finding such a technological relic. I disagreed with her.

Public telephones are not as common as they once were, but it isn't that tough to come across one in the course of a normal day. The easiest places to find them are at government or civic institutions, such as libraries or museums.

Since that discussion, I've been very aware of payphones. It's almost become a "treasure hunt" activity. ;-)

And they bring back memories of my youth. . .

Sculpture in Motion

1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 SSZ, body by Zagato, designed in the "Double Bubble" style

It had been a while since I last visited the Petersen Automotive Museum. Since today marked the birth dates of both Nicola Romeo (b.1876) and Ferruccio Lamborghini (b.1916), I figured it was about time to drop on by and check out the newest exhibit, "Sculpture in Motion: Masterpieces of Italian Design".

There were three gorgeous Alfa Romeo autos in this show, the 1956 1900 SSZ, the 1949 6C 2500 Villa d'Este, and the 2008 8C Competizione. They set the gallery aglow with awesome. ;-)

There were other fine vehicles on display, including a 1970 Bertone-designed Lancia Stratos HF Zero and a lovely 1959 Pinin Farina body Ferrari 400 Superamerica, but we'll focus on the Alfa Romeo beauties in this post. Hopefully, I'll get back to the museum sometime soon and fully document the show for you all.

Sideview of the 2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Yeah, I might be a dedicated Ferrari man, but I'd be willing to settle. ;-)

Frontview of the 2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Fortunately, this show is going on for a good, long time. It's scheduled to run until February 2013. But don't procrastinate. If you love elegant automobiles, this is a show to appreciate over and over again.

Who Cares About a Big Rock?

Site of Michael Heizer's Levitated Mass project, still under construction at LACMA

When Domenico Fontana moved the Vatican Obelisk to St. Peter's Square in 1586, it was considered a technological marvel of the era, the replication of an engineering feat that had not been accomplished since Antiquity. Even centuries later, when Cleopatra's Needle was relocated to London in 1878, moving such monumental stones was still considered an impressive feat, worthy of attention, praise, and great expense.

Today, naysayers shout down any enthusiasm for such projects. The engineering and transportation difficulties are deemed unimpressive. The expense is considered frivolous, even when drawn from private funds. The artistry is mocked and the concept dismissed. When enthusiasm is expressed, the critics say it is but empty hype.

Well, I don't know if I'll end up liking Michael Heizer's Levitated Mass, but the concept is intriguing. The history of art is punctuated with megaliths, obelisks, and grand monuments. I see this work as being a part of that historic continuum, another contribution to this ancient genre of creativity.

Detail of the Moving of the Vatican Obelisk (1586) by Domenico Fontana

I reserve judgment of the work until I see the finished product, but I believe the concept is valid. But is it worth the expense and energy and enthusiasm? These are judgments that can only be made after seeing the end results. History has shown that these monumental projects become the focus of pride and articulate the contemporary zeitgeist down to future generations.

The pharaohs of ancient Egypt and the engineers of Renaissance Italy are long gone, but their monumental legacies endure. Is our civilization too small, too feeble, too self-loathing to even attempt such tasks? Perhaps, we find it crass to posture and proclaim, like Ozymandias, "Look on my works, Ye Mighty, and despair!"

Beyond the Crystal Spheres

Uranus Rings (1987) by David A. Hardy

In 1738, Sir William Herschel was born. His career in science was prestigious, including the discoveries of Uranus and infrared radiation, the coining of the word "asteroid", and the improvement of telescope technology. And he composed symphonic music as well!!!

Although I rarely cover "science" topics, I couldn't let Herschel's genius go uncelebrated. Too often, we spend our time celebrating "popular" figures, overlooking those individuals who may have been less glamorous but, nevertheless, contributed significant ideas or inventions to humanity. That's not to say that "media darlings" or celebrities are not important, but, instead, that a discerning society ought to give equal or greater interest and respect to those who labor in obscurity, as is appropriate to their contributions to society.

Our current Age of Information was founded upon the genius of prior scientists and thinkers. Herschel was one of these great men.

William Herschel's 40 ft. telescope, 1789

So, let's give thanks to Herschel and those innovative thinkers, famous or obscure, who have made our world a better place.

Windows of the Future

"Punch card" windows along the northern face of Ahmanson Hall at Otis College


How will buildings of the future look? How can an architect in the present discern the shape of an aesthetic yet to come? Is futurism accomplished by an emphatic rejection of the Past? Or is it the extrapolation of modern cutting edge imagery projected into structural design?

We discussed the concept of futurist architecture when visiting the Space Park campus in Redondo Beach. Today, we are visiting the old IBM Aerospace Building in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles. It is now part of Otis College of Art and Design, but was originally built for IBM by Eliot Noyes in 1963. Renamed Ahmanson Hall, this structure is a fine example of futurist architecture.

It is a seven story cube with each face segmented into "punch card" patterns. Clearly, Noyes took the look of the computer technology of his day and projected it conceptually as a design scheme for a "futuristic" building. Nearly fifty years later, it doesn't look anything like how the future of architecture actually turned out, but it does eloquently express a "futuristic" forward-looking aesthetic.

Otis' Ahmanson Hall, the "Punch Card" Building, was built in 1963.


In this regard, futurist architecture shares certain qualities with science fiction. The goal of a good SF story isn't to "predict" the future, but to consider a contemporary issue in the light of future potentialities. In the Punch Card Building, Noyes foresees the importance of computation in the future. So, the symbolism of his era's computer technology is utilized as a design principle to enclose the workspace. The residents of the Punch Card are literally surrounded by the presence of computation.

Welcome to Deneva

TRW's Space Park campus was used for the Star Trek episode "Operation: Annihilate!"


One interesting aspect to life in Los Angeles is that the city has been in the background to countless movies and television shows. So, you can go driving by buildings that you have seen in the movies numerous times a day. I'm not talking about "landmark" structures that even tourists can identify, but about structures that are relatively unknown even by locals.

In this post, we'll be looking at some buildings from the Space Park campus. It used to be owned by TRW, but in 2007 the company was bought by Northrop Grumman. This location was the setting to a Star Trek episode "Operation: Annihilate!" It was selected because the architecture had a "futuristic" design by the standards of the 1960s.

The TRW Tower of Space Park

Sadly, I couldn't get really detailed photos because the site is a secure facility. But it is adjacent to Redondo Beach public space. Therefore, I was able to stroll along the boundary and take some photos from afar. ;-)

Killer Robots of the Arena

Verizon's ad "Arena" features a cool action sequence with KILLER ROBOT!!!!!


Normally, I hate ads that pass themselves off as some type of action movie. They usually are cheap flash and pointless mayhem that fail as a "teaser" and fail to get the product message to the consumer. Moreover, there is a sense of overcompensation that I get from such ads. It is as if the design team would rather be working in "real" movies and are using the commercial to show that they've got the talent to deliver on "Hollywood" material.

But the biggest complaint I have is just the pure stupidity of the concept. Most "action" ads have no narrative connection to the product that they are promoting. At best, the product makes a cameo somewhere along the way, like a car that is driven away at the end. And, unless you're constantly reminding the viewer like Erin Esurance's "Quote, Buy, Print," they'll just remember the commercial as a series of high adrenalin hijinks.

But Verizon's "Arena" ad that promotes the Droid Bionic does the job right. The protagonist is in a gladiatorial conflict with a series of killer robots from which she creates the product. Moreover, the robot theme goes perfectly with the product name. It's easy to remember this commercial because of the dramatic action and it's easy to remember the product that it is promoting.

Mini Radiocon is ready for its turn in the Arena

If there's a flaw in this commercial, it is that it doesn't really make a sell as to why the consumer would want the Droid Bionic. It's working purely off of the cool factor. Who wouldn't want a smartphone built from the remains of killer robots? ;-)

Like a Shooting Star

Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star on display at Zamperini Field

The South Bay area used to be the heartland of US aviation and aerospace industry. If you look around, you'll come across an occasional relic from the bygone Jet Age and Cold War periods of flight technology. One such example is the lovely "T-Bird" featured in this post.

The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is a trainer aircraft built in 1948. It's so small and fragile that it boggles the mind that people actually could take this up to 600 mph!!!

In the US, they are retired and on display at aviation museums or outside community airfields for all to appreciate.

Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, Tail #90505


I sat down on that bench, but it felt odd having a jet providing my shade. ;-)

Music for Aliens and Oddities

Flying Saucers from Mars Attacks! (1996)

We can't let the birth date of Leon Theremin pass without celebrating his great invention, the Theremin! An electronic instrument, the theremin is played without being touched by the performer. Here's Wikipedia's description of how it is played:

The theremin is almost unique among musical instruments in that it is played without physical contact. The musician stands in front of the instrument and moves his or her hands in the proximity of two metal antennas. The distance from one antenna determines frequency (pitch), and the distance from the other controls amplitude (volume). Most frequently, the right hand controls the pitch and the left controls the volume, although some performers reverse this arrangement. Some low-cost theremins use a conventional, knob operated volume control and have only the pitch antenna. While commonly called antennas, they are not used for receiving or broadcasting radio frequency, but act as plates in a capacitor.

The sound is weird and unearthly, yet with a distinct and authentic quality. It has been featured in science fiction soundtracks ever since the '50s, most notably in Bernard Herrmann's score for The Day the Earth Stood Still.



Leon Theremin demonstrating his electronic invention.


Let's listen to some examples.

Architecture Strange Yet Familiar

Storm Crown Mechanism (2009) by David Trautrimas

At Bergamot Station, dnj Gallery is holding a group show featuring a number of artists that they represent, including Michael Eastman, Cynthia Grieg, Annie Seaton, and Bill Sosin. I can write at length about these excellent photographers, but today I feel like writing about David Trautrimas' futuristic architectural structures from his Spyfrost Project (2010), a few of which are on display in this show.

Trautrimas' works are based around household appliances imagined as architecture, specifically inspired by a techno-thriller Cold War militaristic aesthetic. Photographing numerous images of these vintage consumer goods and their component parts, Trautrimas reassembles them into fantastic military structures. They look like something out of a wild '50s era espionage comic book. Is the structure above a secret Soviet "Weather Control" facility or a mishmash of refrigerator parts? And how about this image?



Terra Thermal Inducer (2009) by David Trautrimas


Yeah, through the magic of a creative imagination and expert photomanipulation, Trautrimas has created a retro-futuristic Cold War environment out of the detritus of consumerist culture. The metal and chrome from the "House of the Future" has been reworked into military structures that never were. Yet, they feel so authentic. I can imagine a "Thermal Inducer" hidden in the Siberian wilderness.

Leaving for Lomita Station, All Aboard!!!

As promised, I'm looking at some of the interesting obscure locations to visit within the Los Angeles area. I'm starting this project with a visit to the Lomita Railroad Museum. It's a small venue hidden within the residential neighborhoods of the community. There are literally private residences next door.

Nevertheless, it's a nice collection. There is a fair amount of locomotive related objects, such as semaphore signals, uniform buttons, and tie date nails. The walls are covered with historic photographs, old railway maps, and vintage advertisements. But the big thrill comes from the trains.

They've got a class M-6 Mogul 2-6-0 engine built for Southern Pacific in 1902. There's quite an interesting view from the cab.

But there are four other cars to check out as well. . .

Streetscapes and Supercars

1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible "Elvis II" customized by John D'Agostino

I recently visited the Petersen Automotive Museum. I'm not much of a car enthusiast, but I can certainly appreciate a fine bit of design and engineering. Additionally, I enjoy looking at things from a historical perspective, and the Petersen does a good job of displaying their collection within a historic context.

Their "Streetscape" exhibit is specifically geared towards examining the development of automotive culture over the course of the 20th century. Vintage cars are displayed within dioramas representing the appropriate era. This is further enhanced with educational placards providing information on the era, auto, or display. Although designed for accessibility to a young audience, there is sufficient material to capture an adult's interest.

Here are a few photos from the "Streetscape" exhibit:


1903 Cadillac Model A Runabout; top speed: 30mph



1935 Ford Phaeton & 1939 Pontiac Station Wagon



1994 Bugatti EB110; top speed: 210mph

 Of course, one of the highlights of visiting the Petersen is the "Hollywood Gallery" wherein cars from movies and television are on display. My favorite was:

Although the movie was horrible, I was still charmed to see the Mach 5.

On the other hand, when I saw Herbie, I got fairly excited but then I noticed that it was from that abominable Lindsay Lohan movie from 2005. Bummer.

I also enjoyed looking at the Hot Wheels gallery. I used to be an avid collector when I was child. Somewhere, my parents still have it packed away. Ah, the memories. . .

But the best exhibit was "Supercars: When Too Much Is Almost Enough." Merely walking into the gallery made my testosterone level increase. Normally, I don't get "car envy" but these aren't normal cars. My favorites were:


1963 Ferrarii 400 Superamerica; top speed: 164mph



1969 Lamborghini Miura 5; top speed 173mph



1992 Jaguar XJ220; top speed: 213mph

 Yeah. Most excellent display of automotive greatness. I want!!! ;-)

Here's a vid from the Petersen in promotion of the Supercar exhibit:

Here's a link to the Petersen Automotive Museum.

Enjoy!!!

What's New Pussycat?

Yuki Nagato as a nekomimi

The traditional media does a terrible job of covering stories about science and technology. Fortunately, the internet picks up the slack. Sites like PopSci, Discovery News, or the New Scientist provide better coverage than the trad med ever did. Likewise, hardcore tech and gadgeteer stories can be found at Wired or Gizmodo. So, being a bit of a "sci-geek", I regularly make the rounds of this Internet "neighborhood".

For the last week or so, I've been seeing a story about mind-controlled "cat-ear" head accessories popping up at a variety of these sites. They're produced by Neurowear, a Japanese company, and are called "necomimi". At first, I paid no attention. I'm not really big on manga or anime, and I'm definitely not into "furry" cosplay. But, as more and more articles came to my attention, I started to think about it.

Alright, I get the whole cosplay angle. Everyone has things that give them thrills. I'm not one to determine what constitutes "having bad fun". If "cat ears" do it for you, then enjoy.

Apparently Catwoman's ears "do it" for Batman

However, under the whole cosplay angle, there was something that caught my attention. The cat-ears reveal mental activity. They are a form of nonverbal expression. That's kind of cool. In the current tech, it's a crude binary tell; ears up indicates mental stimulation, while ears down signifies mental rest. But this is a stepping-stone tech. Future forms of "expression accessories" may have greater nuances. I can get behind that.

But you won't find me wearing cat ears. ;-)

Here's an article from MTV Style that discusses the product in a humorous manner.

Here's an article from PopSci.

Here's Neurowear's website. There isn't much to see there, but it seemed rude to not include a link in an article that was discussing their product.

And here's a Wikipedia article on Moe Anthropomorphism, a subset of which is the aforementioned "cat girls" or nekomimi.

Enjoy!!!

No Need for Speed

Apollo 10

After centuries in which we have constantly increased to speed of travel, humanity now finds itself slowing down. When NASA finally retires the space shuttle program this year, our top speed will be equivalent to that which our grandparents experienced flying the "friendly skies" in the mid-1960s. This is apparently the cause for some gloomy consideration for Daniel Michaels of the Wall Street Journal, in his article "Putting on the Brakes: Mankind Nears the End of the Age of Speed."

Although I disagree with the feel of his article, I found it to be an interesting read. He gives a quick overview of the history of speed, from early trains to Space Age aviation. This is a fascinating topic and does exemplify a core aspect of modern humanity, the Need for Speed. It's part of the Holy Trinity of 20th century American aesthetics of success, "Bigger, Faster, Stronger."

Pontiac GTO. General Motors.

Although I respect the accomplishment of the "Age of Speed", I'm not too sad to see it pass. First, I believe we will be seeing improvements in worldwide average speed of travel as transportation infrastructure is modernized globally. That's way more important than adding another 0.1 Mach speed to a jet that only a few will fly.

Second, I believe that there will eventually be a manned Mission to Mars. This technological feat will necessitate advancements in our space travel times. Interplanetary journeys simply must be at high speeds if they are meant to transport humans.

Third, I hold efficiency to be superior to speed. It doesn't matter if a jet takes a zillion hours to transport me from Los Angeles to Tokyo, if I can use telecommunications to avoid the need for such travel. Short of teleportation, humanity isn't going to design a mode of transport faster than virtual projectiongs.

Therefore, it is important to recognize the great technological accomplishments of the Age of Speed, but it is equally important to see that the Information Age will be leading us to innovations that will seem just as amazing as the contrast between horses and space shuttles. A world with no need for speed.

Here's a link the the WSJ article: Putting on the Brakes

Here are few Wikipedia pages of interest for the Age of Speed:

Stephenson's Rocket

Blackbird SR-71

Concorde

Apollo 10


Enjoy!!!