A Field Guide to Roadside Technology

A Field Guide to Roadside Technology PDF

Author: Edwin J. C. Sobey

Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 1556526091

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This fascinating handbook answers the questions of anyone who has ever wondered about the many strange devices found along the roadside, from utility poles to satellite dishes. More than 150 different roadside technologies are covered, and each detailed entry describes what the device does, how it works, and also includes a photograph for easy identification.

A Field Guide to Roadside Technology

A Field Guide to Roadside Technology PDF

Author: Ed Sobey

Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Published: 2006-06-01

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 1613741790

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This fascinating handbook answers the questions of anyone who has ever wondered about the many strange devices found along the roadside, from utility poles to satellite dishes. Devices are grouped according to their habitats—along highways and roads, atop buildings, near airports, and on utility towers. More than 150 different roadside technologies are covered, and each detailed entry describes what the device does, how it works, and also includes a photograph for easy identification. With helpful sidebars describing related technical issues such as why stoplights are constructed with the red light on top, this handbook for curious readers provides carefully detailed descriptions and the history behind many of the devices that roadside travelers take for granted.

A Field Guide to Household Technology

A Field Guide to Household Technology PDF

Author: Ed Sobey

Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 253

ISBN-13: 1556526709

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Illustrating how a fire alarm detects smoke and what the "plasma" is in a plasma screen television, this fascinating handbook explains how everyday household devices function and operate. More than 180 different household technologies are covered, including gadgets unique to apartment buildings and houseboats. Devices are grouped according to their "habitats"--the living room, family room, den, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and basement--and feature a detailed description of what the device does and how it works, as well as a photograph for easy identification. With helpful sidebars describing related technical issues, such as why a cheap dimmer switch can interfere with radio reception, this handbook for curious readers provides carefully detailed descriptions and the history behind many of the older household technologies like toasters and faucets to newer technologies like motion detectors, TiVo, and satellite radio.

A Field Guide to Office Technology

A Field Guide to Office Technology PDF

Author: Ed Sobey

Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Published: 2007-10-28

Total Pages: 209

ISBN-13: 1613741766

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With more than 160 entries detailing everything from the junk buried in desk drawers to that mysterious box blinking away in the coat closet, this practical guide navigates through modern office technology. Each entry includes a functional description of a device (what it is and how it works) as well as particulars on who invented it and how its design has evolved over the years. Devices are grouped according to their habitats—in the conference room, hanging from the ceiling, or connected to a computer—to assist in quick and easy identification. Solving office mysteries, such as why telephone keypads have their ones in the upper left corner while calculator keypads place the ones in the lower left corner, this fascinating resource decodes the often confusing technological landscapes of everyday offices.

Unscrewed

Unscrewed PDF

Author: Ed Sobey

Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Published: 2011-06

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 1569768943

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Perfect for the do-it-yourselfer, this handy guide to household electronics gives the weekend workbench enthusiast a multitude of ideas on how to salvage valuable parts from old electronics and turn them into useful gadgets once more. This handbook is loaded with information and helpful tips for disassembling old and broken electronics. Each of the more than 50 deconstruction projects includes a "treasures cache" of the components to be found, a required tools list, and step-by-step instructions with photos on how to safely extract the working components. Projects include building a desk lamp from an old flatbed scanner, a barbeque supercharger from a Dustbuster impeller, and a robot from the gears, rollers, and stepper motor found in an ink-jet printer. Now, old VHS players and fax machines will find new life with these fun ideas.

The Way Kitchens Work

The Way Kitchens Work PDF

Author: Ed Sobey

Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Published: 2010-04-27

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 1613743076

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If you've ever wondered how a microwave heats food, or why aluminum foil is shiny on one side and dull on the other, or whether it is better to use cold or hot water in a garbage disposal, you should read The Way Kitchens Work. Modern kitchens are hi-tech marvels, with more machinery than any other room in the house. Each of the 50+ entries includes its history, interesting trivia, and a discussion of the technology involved. Readers will also enjoy reviewing the utensils' and appliances' original patent blueprints, as well as photos of the “guts” of these culinary tools. The author even includes odd side stories, such as how the waffle iron played a role in the founding of Nike, how you can reset a turkey timer, and why socialite Josephine Cochran really invented the dishwasher in 1886--it wasn't because she wanted to ease the burden of her servants, but because she wanted a device that would avoid the unsightly chips associated with hand washing. And finally, for those whose stovetop skills are still in development, Sobey provides information on the invention and use of the smoke detector and hand-held fire extinguisher.

Mondo Magnets

Mondo Magnets PDF

Author: Fred Jeffers

Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Published: 2007-03-01

Total Pages: 161

ISBN-13: 1613742444

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Surprising and seemingly impossible effects result from the 40 experiments included in this fascinating science resource—all based on real magnetic physics. Each experiment—such as using a common refrigerator magnet to create a three-dimensional image or floating a magnet and carbon sheet in midair—is outlined with step-by-step instructions and diagrams that illustrate the key concepts of magnetism. Even the most experienced science teacher or at-home tinkerer will find dozens of new tricks in this amazing collection.

The Way Toys Work

The Way Toys Work PDF

Author: Ed Sobey

Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Published: 2008-05-01

Total Pages: 193

ISBN-13: 1613743092

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If you've ever wondered how an Etch A Sketch writes on its gray screen, or why a boomerang comes back, or how an R/C car responds to a radio controller, now you'll have your answers. The Way Toys Work explains the technology, history, and trivia behind 50 popular toys, with patent blueprints and photos of the &“guts&” of devices including: * Kaleidoscope * Magna Doodle * Slinky * Nintendo * Super Soaker * Big Mouth Billy Bass * Rubik's Cube * Silly Putty * Video Game Light Gun * Furby * Dunking Bird * View-Master * Yo-Yo * Push 'n' Go Car * Wiffle Ball * Gyroscope * Operation * Hula Hoop You'll also find pointers on how to build your own versions using recycled materials and a little ingenuity, experiments that can be done with certain toys, and tips on reverse engineering old toys to get a better look at their interior mechanics. The only thing you won't learn is how the Magic 8 Ball is able to predict the future--some things are best left a mystery.

The Spotter's Guide to Urban Engineering

The Spotter's Guide to Urban Engineering PDF

Author: Claire Barratt

Publisher: NewSouth

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 9781742233109

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The Spotter's Guide to Urban Engineering is an exciting guide to the technology that underpins modern life. Richly illustrated, it celebrates the wonders of science, engineering and technology in the modern world. Each chapter explores the developments and various engineering features and structures, detailing what they are, what they do, how they do it, and, most importantly, how to identify them.

Trees of Missouri Field Guide

Trees of Missouri Field Guide PDF

Author: Stan Tekiela

Publisher: Adventure Publications

Published: 2022-04-19

Total Pages: 867

ISBN-13: 1647552702

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Learn to identify Missouri trees with this handy field guide, organized by leaf type and attachment. With this famous field guide by award-winning author and naturalist Stan Tekiela, you can make tree identification simple, informative, and productive. There’s no need to look through dozens of photos of trees that don’t grow in Missouri. Learn about 119 species found in the state, organized by leaf type and attachment. Just look at a tree’s leaves, then go to the correct section to learn what it is. Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-page photographs provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. Book Features 119 species: Every native tree plus common non-natives Easy to use: Thumb tabs show leaf type and attachment Compare feature: Decide between look-alikes Stan’s Notes: Naturalist tidbits and facts Professional photos: Crisp, stunning full-page images This new edition includes updated photographs; expanded information; a Quick Compare section for leaves, needles, and silhouettes; and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab Trees of Missouri Field Guide for your next outing—to help ensure that you positively identify the trees that you see.