The Surreal Appeal of the Falkirk Wheel

Posted by Queuebot in Architecture, Pictures, Science & Tech on June 29, 2009 at 2:14 am

The people of Falkirk, Scotland needed to connect two waterways, but there was one big problem.  The difference in height between the two measures about the same as an eight story building.  The solution?  A pretty amazing rotating boat lift, the only one of its type in the world:

The Scottish capital city, Edinburgh and its second city, Glasgow, had no water based connection for seventy years. It wasn’t until almost the dawn of the new century that this situation was reconsidered and the idea of the Falkirk Wheel was taken seriously and put in to action.

Now the wheel, as well as a connector between the two cities, is a remarkable and awe-inspiring tourist destination in its own right. However, if it wasn’t for the prodigious gambling habits of the British people this amazing structure would never have been built.

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From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by taliesyn30.

 
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Skrew-Doo?

Posted by Algonkin in Everything Else, Video Clips on February 2, 2009 at 9:35 am

Ok here’s something I’ve never seen before that dates back to pre-World War II. This contraption consists of a tractor and some form of corkscrew drive system. After a bit of research, it appears that this invention originates from Russia. Call it Russian mechanized genius/madness, you decide. Via – LiveLeak

 
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