Mar 4, 2010: Tempest Prognosticator

xoxoxoBruce · 03-03-2010, 11:47 PM

Tempest Prognosticator, now isn't that a catchy name... for something to sell on your ecommerce website?

No? Well there wasn't any ecommerce in 1851, but how about it's newer nickname, "Leech Barometer”?

Quote:

A contemporary account of the invention described it as an "elaborate and highly ornate apparatus... evolved by a certain Dr. Merryweather (no epigram intended) who had observed that during the period before the onset of a severe storm, fresh water leaches tended to become particularly agitated. The learned Doctor decided to harness the physical energy of these surprisingly hysterical aquatic bloodsuckers to operate an early warning system. On the circular base of his apparatus he installed glass jars, in each of which a leech was imprisoned and attached to a fine chain that led up to a miniature belfry--from whence the tinkling tocsin would be sounded on the approach of a tempest."

You Brits can even visit the leeches, at Barometer World in Quicksilver Barn, Merton, Okehampton, Devon, but I'll bet they're phony leeches.

link

rditlkustoleit · 03-04-2010, 01:26 AM

That Sucks!

_______________________

If we're not supposed to eat animals, why are they made out of meat?!

nil_orally · 03-04-2010, 04:05 AM

Wow! They had lawyers in 1851!

SPUCK · 03-04-2010, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nil_orally

Wow! They had lawyers in 1851!

And how did they fit them into the bottles?

Trilby · 03-04-2010, 06:27 AM

very 19th century-ish.

newtimer · 03-04-2010, 10:02 AM

Is that the Disaster Girl back there looking at the exhibit?

classicman · 03-04-2010, 11:41 AM

HA! good one newtimer

03-04-2010, 04:05 AM	#3
nil_orally Larger than average member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Melbourne, Oz. Posts: 72	Wow! They had lawyers in 1851! __________________ Waiting for inspiration.....

03-04-2010, 06:27 AM	#5
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	very 19th century-ish. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

03-04-2010, 11:41 AM	#7
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	HA! good one newtimer __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

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03-04-2010, 01:26 AM	#2
rditlkustoleit Violator of Customs Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 49	That Sucks! _______________________ If we're not supposed to eat animals, why are they made out of meat?!

03-04-2010, 10:02 AM	#6
newtimer Operations Operative Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 479	Is that the Disaster Girl back there looking at the exhibit?

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