Not Captain Kangaroo’s Green Jeans

Courtesy Google Images

I am old enough to remember the Captain Kangaroo morning show with Bob Keeshan portraying the Captain. I remember the magic drawing board, Mr. Moose, Bunny Rabbit, Dancing Bear and Mr. Greenjeans.

Captain Kangaroo and his cast of characters have been … retired for some time, but that doesn’t mean an end to green jeans. According to the British Council, Professor Tony Ryan of the University of Sheffield and Professor Helen Storey of the London College of Fashion are collaborating on the development of clothing that will purify the air.

The Independent reports that Ryan and Storey discovered microscopic particles of titanium oxide worked as a pollution buster when sprayed on clothes. Professor Storey said, “It seemed to be particularly effective on denim jeans and then we realised there were more denim jeans on the planet than people.” The toxins trapped in the coating will be neutralized and washed away when the jeans are laundered. Tests are being performed to determine if the jeans are safe to wear.

Regardless the outcome of the testing, I’d be hard pressed to don any clothing that is designed to absorb toxins.

Does anyone want to wear a catalytic converter in the guise of Levis?

Chainless Hybrid Bicycle

On my eighth birthday my parents gave me a brand new Sears Roebuck bicycle. It was a single speed (I didn’t get a cool banana seated three speed until my eleventh birthday) and fire engine red. I loved that bike; I rode it everywhere.

Courtesy Google Images

In the early 1970s, there was a gas shortage so people purchased mopeds, small motorized scooters that had pedals. The operator would start pedaling then a motor would kick in. They were useful because you only needed a valid state driver’s license to operate one and they were much faster than walking.

Courtesy Google Images

The next generation of motorized bicycles is just around the corner. In 2013, Korean auto parts maker, Mando, will roll out a chainless hybrid bicycle called Footloose. According to DVICE.com, Footloose is a folding electric bike that turns human pedaling power into energy to be stored in the bike’s lithium-ion battery. The bike can travel up to 18.6 miles on electricity alone. It has a control unit that monitors the vehicle’s speed and automatically adjusts its energy output.

I was never a big fan of the moped. It was bulky and seemed to lack a whole lot of mobility. On the other hand, the Footloose appears to handle like a regular street bicycle. Depending on cost, I could envision owning one.

Does this make anyone feel like going for a weekend bike ride?

Fearless Felix

On August 16, 1960, Air Force Captain Joe Kittinger, completed a world record 102,800 foot skydive. According to centennialofflight.gov he was protected against the subzero temperatures by layers of clothes and a pressure suit and during his descent, he reached speeds up to 614 miles per hour.

Yesterday, Sunday, 10/14/12, on the Discovery Channel, I watched Australian daredevil Felix Baumgartner break Kittinger’s 52 year old record. Interestingly, Joe Kittinger was a member of Baumgartner’s support team.

Courtesy Google Images

Baumgartner’s capsule was lifted on high by a hot air balloon to a height greater than 128,000 feet. He wore a high tech pressure suit and helmet that protected him from the freezing temperatures present at that altitude.

Just before the jump, he stood on platform outside his capsule and hesitated and I wondered if he was thinking, “Wow, that’s a long way down.” He leaned forward and toppled. As he dropped he pin wheeled. I wondered if he was ok but I could hear him breathing. His descent steadied and eventually he opened his chute and floated safely to the ground.

According to abcnews.com his skydive was record breaking on three counts.

1. The only man to achieve a supersonic skydive (833 miles per hour or Mach 1.24)

2. The highest exit from a platform

3. The free fall without a drogue parachute

I was amazed and awed that someone would be willing to perform a stunt like this. I don’t even like to ride the roller coasters at Six Flags.

Are there any daredevils out there that want to attempt a jump of 128,000 feet?

Red Shirts

According to Infoplease.com, in college sports a red shirt is an athlete who did not play in any games (at the coach's request), or was seriously injured during their first season. The "red-shirt" designation means that that season will not count against the player's four years of NCAA eligibility, allowing them to play four full seasons.

Courtesy Google Images

Anyone who has watched the original Star Trek series (1966 – 1969) knows that a red shirt character is usually the first one to die. The term “red shirt” has become so ingrained in my family’s lexicon that when we watch a TV program we attempt to identify the designated red shirt.

I found an interesting article at Wired.com that reported being a "Red Shirt" on the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 was one of the most dangerous jobs in any (imaginary) military. According to Wired.com 13.7% of Kirk’s crew died during their three-year televised mission; 73% of the deaths were Red Shirts.

Courtesy Google Images

I knew that the "Red Shirt" was the first to go. It’s reassuring to know that there is statistical evidence to back up what I knew intuitively.