The Art Blog

famous painting battle of trafalgar

The Battle of Trafalgar $19.99 The Battle of Trafalgar

Battle of Trafalgar $295 "From oil painting by Thomas Luny, 1806; from the collections of The Mariners� Museum in Newport News, Va. This is a spectacular limited edition, fine-art print in our historic �Maritime Masterpieces� collection. These images -- of history�s great maritime oil paintings, watercolors and lithographs -- come from the celebrated archives of The Mariners� Museum in Virginia. The Museum and The New York Times are making the images available to the general public for the first time as fine art prints.Each historical full-color print is stunning -- individually created using heavyweight acid-free paper and archival inks. Each is on 20� x 24� or 24� x 32� paper, with gold or mahogany custom-made frames available.Ships in 5 � 7 business days. 20� x 24� prints are shipped flat; 24� x 32� prints come rolled in a sturdy tube. "

The History Of Warfare - The Battle Of Trafalgar $6.99 The History Of Warfare - The Battle Of Trafalgar

Voices From The Battle Of Trafalgar $18.15 Voices From The Battle Of Trafalgar

Nelson's Trafalgar $13.99 An explosive chronicle of history's greatest sea battle In the tradition of Antony Beevor's Stalingrad, Nelson's Trafalgar presents the definitive blow-by-blow account of the world's most famous naval battle, when the British Royal Navy under Lord Horatio Nelson dealt a decisive blow to the forces of Napoleon. The Battle of Trafalgar comes boldly to life in this definitive work that re-creates those five momentous, earsplitting hours with unrivaled detail and intensity.

Trafalgar $4.58 This is the true story of the Battle of Trafalgar, Britain's most significant sea battle, as seen through the smoke-hazed gunports of the fighting ships. In an atmosphere of choking fumes from cannon and musket fire, amid noise so intense it was almost tangible, the crews of the British, French and Spanish ships did their best to carry out their allotted tasks. For over five hours they were in constant danger from a terrifying array of iron and lead missiles fired from enemy guns, as well as the deadly wooden splinters smashed from the ships' hulls by the cannon-balls. While the men manoeuvred the ships and kept the cannons firing, the women helped the surgeons tend the sick or helped the boys - the 'powder monkeys' - in the hazardous job of carrying gunpowder cartridges from the central magazine to the gun decks. Trafalgar set the seal on British naval supremacy, which became the mainspring for the growth of the British Empire, and in the short term not only prevented Napoleon from invading Britain, but also enabled Britain and its Continental allies to mount the campaign that would eventually defeat the French Emperor: without Trafalgar there would be no Waterloo.

Naval Poems. Pleasures Of The Naval Life, And The Battle Of Trafalgar. $18.81 Title: Naval Poems. Pleasures of the naval life, and the Battle of Trafalgar...

Nelson's Trafalgar by Adkins, Roy Edition ILL, 0 $13.49 An explosive chronicle of history's greatest sea battle In the tradition of Antony Beevor's Stalingrad, Nelson's Trafalgar presents the definitive blow-by-blow account of the world's most famous naval battle, when the British Royal Navy under Lord Horatio Nelson dealt a decisive blow to the forces of Napoleon. The Battle of Trafalgar comes boldly to life in this definitive work that re-creates those five momentous, earsplitting hours with unrivaled detail and intensity.

Trafalgar Companion $54.74 The Battle of Trafalgar was fought on the 21st of October 1805 off Cape Trafalgar on the Spanish coast, between the combined fleets of Spain and France and the Royal Navy...

Trafalgar Captain $21.78 <div><div>The Battle of Trafalgar was the most decisive sea-battle ever fought...

The Battle Of Trafalgar $16.99 Kultur Video:7028

East India Company: Battle of Trafalgar $4.95 East India Company: Battle of Trafalgar recreates the legendary sea battle fought between the British Royal navy and the combined fleets of the French and Spanish navies during the height of the Napoleonic wars in late 1805. Featuring historically accurate ships from all three fleets along with the key naval personnel of the battle, East India Company: Battle of Trafalgar is a simulation of what in reality was the most decisive British naval victory of the war. led by Admiral Lord Nelson...

The Trafalgar Companion $56 The Battle of Trafalgar was fought on October 21, 1805, off Cape Trafalgar on the Spanish coast, between the combined fleets of Spain and France and the Royal Navy. The last great sea action of the period, it established British naval supremacy and ended

The Battle Of Trafalgar; A Poem, In Six Cantos. [by Catherine Anne Lightfoot.] $17.44 Title: The Battle of Trafalgar; a poem, in six cantos. [By Catherine Anne Lightfoot...

The Battle Of Trafalgar, An Heroic Poem. Read To The Literary Society Of Belfast $15.16 The Battle Of Trafalgar, An Heroic Poem. Read To The Literary Society Of Belfast

Campaign of Trafalgar $21.78 In 1910, the revered maritime strategist Sir Julian Stafford Corbett published The Campaign of Trafalgar, with the intent of providing the first staff account of the celebrated battle...

Battle Of Trafalgar Britain France Spain Original Photo $10.51 Battle Of Trafalgar Britain France Spain Original Photo Battle Of Trafalgar Britain France Spain Original PhotoEvery signed item comes fully certified with a tamper proof hologram certificate of authenticity and is backed by the SportsMemorabilia.com Authenticity Guarantee.

The Campaigns of Napoleon: The Battle of Trafalgar $16.96 This film chronicles the decisive sea battle that ended Napoleon Bonaparte's quest to conquer England. The French were defeated by the British in the fight that took place off the southwestern coast of Spain. The French lost 20 ships; the British lost none. However, Admiral Nelson, Britain's most beloved naval hero, was killed by a French sniper when the battle ended. The film features an authentic reenactment of the battle and dramatized eyewitness accounts. 3-D graphics and imaging help to put the battle in context. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi

General Knowledge Pt.- XI

 

Who designed the first flyover? When and where was it built?

Holborn Viaduct was the world's first flyover, connecting Holborn with Newgate Street, avoiding a deep dip in the road. It was built across the Fleet Valley to get rid of the steep Holborn and Snow Hills. It was built between 1863 and 1869 and opened by Queen Victoria in 1869. Nearby is the City Thameslink station, a replacement for the former Holborn Terminus of the London, Chatham & Dover Railway It cost over two million pound sterling to complete and was opened by Queen Victoria.

Why are communists called 'reds'?

'Red'-refers to the blood shed by the working class in its struggle against capitalism. The identification of Communism with 'Socialist' red (with the red flag being the primary colour of the flag of the Soviet Union) and the red star being a Communist emblem led to such Cold War phrases as 'the Red Menace' and 'Red China'.

Why are there only 12 sun signs?

The zodiac is the belt or band of constellations through which the Sun, moon and planets move across the sky. Astrologers noted these constellations and attached a particular significance to them. Over time, they developed the system of twelve signs of the zodiac, based on twelve constellations they considered important. In China, the development of the zodiac was different. Although the Chinese too have a system of twelve signs (named after animals), its zodiac refers to a pure calendrical cycle, as there are no equivalent constellations linked to it. The common choice of twelve zodiac signs is understandable when it is considered that the interaction of the Sun and moon was central to all forms of astrology Thus, twelve cycles of the moon — or months — coincided with one solar year, making twelve a natural choice.

Who are kitchen table tycoons?

Female entrepreneurs in Britain who have set up enormously successful businesses are called kitchen table tycoons in jest. In fact, half of the millionaires in the UK today are women. So, the erstwhile 'weaker sex' and the 'second sex' is now being referred to as the richer sex'.

How far is the nearest black hole from the earth?

The nearest black hole is in the constellation Sagittarius. A normal star named V4641Sgr began emitting rapidly-fluctuating X-ray intensities and ejecting sub-atomic particles moving at the speed of light on September 15,1999. This was observed by an amateur Australian sky-watcher. Later, orbiting X-ray telescopes and groundbased radio and optical telescopes also recorded the dramatically rapid X-ray intensity changes ever seen from one star. The black hole is a mere 1,600 light years away from Earth — the nearest reported black hole yet.

What is snow line?

The snow line on a mountain is the boundary beyond which there is permanent snow. It is about 3,500 metres above sea level. The snow line's location depends on conditions such as elevation, latitude, proximity to the sea, climate, wind direction, exposure, and the steepness of the slope. In India, it occurs at 4,250 metres above sea level while in Europe it may begin at about 3,500 metres. Further North, at the poles, the snow line starts at sea level.

What is the da vinci surgical system used for?

The Da Vinci device is used hi surgeries in the abdomen, pelvis and chest. It provides surgeons with a 3-D view of the operating area, magnified up to 12 times. Sitting at a console away from the patient, the surgeon uses joystick-like controls to manipulate tiny surgical instruments. These can be used in hard-to-reach areas and turned in ways that would be impossible with the normal dexterity of the wrist.

What are tulip festivals?

The tulip is perhaps the most fashionable flower of England and the Netherlands. There are thousands of varieties of these flowers. Tulip cultivation is the most important industry in the Netherlands today. Billions of bulbs are also produced in the US every year. Dutch growers produce nearly 2,000 varieties, of which about 400 are available in large quantities. During spring, tulip festivals are held in various parts of the world to showcase this beautiful flower.

Our national anthem's notations were prepared by herbert murrill. In what capacity did he prepare it?

Jana Gana Mana was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the India's National Anthem on January 24, 1950. The version, which had the approval of Prime Minister Pandit Nehru and a number of members of the Constituent Assembly, was composed by a well-known Briton Herbert Murrill. He was one of three foreign composers who undertook to prepare harmonised versions of the first stanza of the Anthem, on the basis of the Vishwa Bharati tune's recordings supplied by All India Radio. According to AIR, which had circulated copies of it to all the provincial governments and states, the approved version was not only the best musically, but also faithfully reflected the Indian tune of Jana Gana Mana.

When was the first fashion show held in the world?

The history of fashion shows remains vague. In the 1800s, 'fashion parades' periodically took place in Paris couture salons. American retailers imported the concept of the fashion show in the early 1900s. The first American fashion show is likely to have taken place in 1903 in the New York City store Ehrlich Brothers.

What are budgrooks and xeraphines?

They were the units of currency issued by the East India Company in Bombay, during the 17th century Originally belonging to Portugal, the island of Bombay was given to the British King Charles II in dowry when he married the Portuguese Princess Catherine. Charles II auctioned Bombay to the East India Company and authorised it to issue its own currency locally One xeraphine was equal to 580 budgrooks.

Why are orbits of planets elliptical in shape?

Astronomers call the more massive of the two objects, the primary and the less massive one, the secondary Orbit is a path of a natural or artificial object that moves under the influence of a central force. The orbit of a secondary object within the gravitational pull (which is not constant all over) of a primary object is a closed curve called an ellipse. Perfectly circular orbits rarely occur. In an el- liptical orbit, the primary is not in the centre of the ellipse. As a result, the secondary travelscloser to the primary at certain times than the others.

Why can't we tickle ourselves?

We cannot tickle ourselves because we anticipate our own actions. Research has shown that the brain is trained to know what to feel when a person moves or performs any function. We aren't aware of many of the sensations generated by our movements. For example, you probably don't pay much attention to your vocal cords when you speak. For the same reason, we can't tickle ourselves. If we grab our sides in an attempt to tickle ourselves, our brain anticipates this contact from the hands and prepares itself for it. By taking away the feeling of unease and panic, the body no longer responds the same way as it would if someone else were to tickle us.

What is the paris basin?

It is the region of France constituting the lowland area around Paris. Geologically, it is the centre of a structural depression that extends between the ancient Armorican Massif (west), the Massif Central (south), the Vosges, Ardennes, and Rhineland (east). The area, which forms the heartland of France, is drained largely by the Seine and its major tributaries converge in Paris. The natural vegetation of the basin has been almost entirely lost to civilisation, except for a few relict forests.

What does cymatics refer to?

Also known as Chladni Patterns, cymatics is an ancient system of music. It was in the news recently when the father-son duo Thomas Mitchell and Stuart Mitchell were intrigued by the symbols carved in the arches of the 15th century Rosslyn Chapel (of Dan Brown's 'Da Vinci Code' fame) in Scotland. The duo did some sleuthing of their own which led them to the Chladni Patterns, formed by sound waves at specific pitches.

When was the system of visas introduced?

A visa (short for the Latin carta visa, meaning 'the document having been seen') is issued by a country giving an individual permission to formally request entrance to the country during a given period of time and for certain purposes. It is mostly stamped or glued inside a passport, or sometimes issued as separate pieces of paper. An early reference is found in the biblical book of Nehemiah, circa 450 B.C. Nehemiah, an official serving King Artaxerxes of ancient Persia, asked permission to travel to Judah. The king agreed and gave Nehemiah a letter 'to the governors beyond the river'. As per the current format of passports, blank pages are given for foreign countries to affix visas, or stamp the passport on entrance or exit.

Who invented the toothbrush?

Toothbrushes came into existence in 1938. People used them in the form of 'chew sticks' as early as 3000 BC. People would chew a thin twig with a frayed end and then rub it against the teeth. A similar toothbrush in use today was invented in China in 1498. The Chinese used pig's neck hair as bristles and attached it to handles made of bone or bamboo. Dupont de Nemours introduced nylon bristles in 1938 for the first time. William Addis of England created the first mass-produced toothbrush in 1780. The first patent for a toothbrush was for H N Wadsworth in 1850 in the US, but mass production only started in 1885.

Did robin hood really exist?

Stories of Robin Hood have been told for over 700 years. The earliest ballads were sung as early as the 14th century. The real life Robin Hood was probably born in Loxley in 1160 and became a fugitive in the forest to escape arrest. He married Matilda and joined the fight against the king's army in the Battle of Borough bridge. The defeat of the rebels forced Robin into Barnsdale Forest, where he lived as an outlaw and was charged with treason. His wife Matilda was the figure who was eventually transformed into Maid Marian of the legend. Robin Hood is said to have died on November 18,1247.

What is the difference between acne and pimples?

While acne is a disease (acne vulgaris), a pimple is just one type of lesion found in acne patients. Other lesions could be a papule or a nodule. However, in common parlance, these are interchangeably use.

What is unique about the la sagrada familia?

La Sagrada Familia or the Church of the Holy Family is unique in two ways. Firstly, its construction which started in 1882, is still going on, and will probably be completed only in another 40-50 years — something like our own Dayalbagh temple in Agra. Secondly, its architect Antoni Gaudi is buried in its basement.

What are sniglets?

A sniglet is a word that should be in the dictionary but isn't. Sniglets are the brainchild of comedian Rich Hall who, with a little help from his friends, wrote a series of books containing sniglets in the mid-1980s. Sniglets are actually a long-running popular joke in which people make up their own humorous words to define things or concepts that have no "official" definitions.

Which country first introduced paper currency?

Paper currency was introduced by the Chinese around 600 A.D. Back then, the Chinese would string copper coins together and carry them around. As the economy grew, people found it difficult to carry too many coins and paper money was introduced as an alternative.

What is the pigeonhole principle?

The exact statement of the pigeonhole principle is 'If you want to put N+l pigeons in N pigeon holes, then at least one of the pigeonholes must contain more than one pigeons'. This is just a very obvious fact moulded into a principle. But its applications are vast. Its proof by contradiction is very simple: suppose no pigeonhole contains more than one pigeon. Then, there are no more than N pigeons, which contradicts the fact that there are N+l pigeons.

What is the ultimate picnic sandwich?

Priced at a cool £2.5, the Ultimate Picnic Sandwich is all the rage in Britain. Smoked salmon, mashed avocado, cherry tomatoes, lemon juice, chili flakes, roasted red and yellow peppers, low-fat cream cheese, fresh mint and chives are sandwiched between two thick slices of wholemeal bread. The makers of the Ultimate Picnic Sandwich say the cream cheese and the chives absorb moisture and keep the sandwich fresh. The chilli flakes ward off mosquitoes while easing nasal congestion. The makers also claim that it can boost the immune system.

What are micronesia and melanasia?

Micronesia and Melanesia are both divisions of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean and part of a group of islands. Micronesia is located in the West Pacific Ocean, east of Philippines and includes the islands of Caroline, Marshall, Mariana, Gilbert Islands, Guam and Nauru. Melanesia is in the southwest Pacific Ocean comprising islands northeast of Australia and includes Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Tuvalu, Bismarck Archipelago, Admiralty Islands, New Guinea and Fiji.

What is an elephant pearl?

The Nine Pearls, sometimes known as the Nava Moti (nine gems) are a group of sacred gems described in the Vedic texts as the 'Garuda Purana'. Elephant Pearl is one of them- It is said these pearls are produced in the heads and in the sockets of the elephant's tusk of the Airavata's family at the Moon's conjunction with the asterism Pusya or Sravana synchronous with a Sunday or Monday, as well as of the Bhadra class of elephants.

Which country has the world's largest navy?

The United States Navy is the world's largest and has a capacity greater than that of the next 17 largest combined navies. Currently, it has nearly 3,42,000 personnel on active duty and 1,29,634 in reserve; 276 ships and over 4,000 aircraft. Its budget is supposed to be $127.3 billion for 2007.

Who is the youngest nobel prize recipient?

The youngest person to receive a Nobel Prize was Sir William Lawrence Bragg (Physics, 1915). He was 25 years old then. Bragg and his father, Sir William Henry Bragg, won the award jointly for their work with X-ray spectra, X-ray diffraction and crystal structure.

Where did graffiti originate?

The underground art of graffiti has its origins in the late 1960s in Philadelphia, through "bombing". Writers Cornbread and Cool Earl went about town writing their names just to gain attention from the community and media. The practice spread to New York and its various boroughs in the early 1970s and different styles such as tagging and scaling emerged. Graffiti is the practice of defacing a surface, which if done without consent, is considered vandalism. With consent, if is an art form often used as a powerful political tool.

Who was the first female judge of the supreme court of india?

Justice Fathima Beevi was the first female judge of the Supreme Court of India whose tenure lasted from October 6 1989 to April 29, 1992. The second was Justice Sujata V Manohar, from November 8,1994 to August 27,1999. The third was Justice Ruma Pal who became a Supreme Court judge in 2000 and continues to hold office. However, no female judge has yet been appointed as Chief Justice of India.

Who is the first woman judge of the supreme court?

In the June 3 edition, it's been incorrectly mentioned that Justice Ruma Pal continues to hold office. Justice Ruma Pal retired in June 2006. She came closest to being the Chief Justice of India had she not retired.

Where did belly dancing originate?

Belly dancing is one of the oldest forms of dance in the world, and has been practised for thousands of years. A specific place or time of origination has never been determined, but it has its roots in various ancient cultures of India, the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean regions.

What are bric countries?

The term refers to Brazil, Russia, India and China, which economists feel will be the world economy's building blocks. It was first used in a 2003 thesis of Goldman Sachs Investment Bank. The economies of the BRIC countries are fast developing and according to the thesis, these countries are likely to overtake the current richest countries by 2050.

What is the significance of the custom of tossing one's hat?

The 'hat toss', the traditional ending to graduation and commissioning ceremonies at all service academies, originated at the US Naval Academy in 1912. Earlier, graduates of this Academy served two years as naval cadets or midshipmen before being commissioned as officers. They had to retain their midshipman's hats for their sea tour. With the Class of 1912, graduates were commissioned as ensigns or second lieutenants, and no longer needed their midshipman's hats. In a spontaneous gesture, new officers tossed their old hats into the air. This became the symbolic end to the four-year programme at the academy.

If a child is born mid-air on an international flight, what would be its nationality?

One theory presumes that the ship or the aircraft is the floating island of the country in which it is registered or whose flag it flies. So, the law of that particular State would apply in it. This may cover not only mid-air births but also offences, contracts, wrongs, etc. too. As far as citizenship is concerned, different States have different laws. In some, it is the place of birth while in some others it is the parent's citizenship at the time birth that determines the child's citizenship.

What is investment banking?

Investment banking involves structuring financial transactions for private and public companies into developed and emerging markets. Investment bankers identify capital opportunities, negotiate and structure deals, and execute private and public financial transactions. The essential function of an investment bank is to act as an intermediary between potential investors and those who seek capital. Investors include individuals, mutual funds, municipalities, public corporations, and private institutions.

Why do we say 'bring home the bacon'?

One theory of its origin refers to contest at early American county fairs involving chasing a greased pig. If you caught it, you could take it home as your prize. Another says it originated in the early 1300s. A baron willed that if any married persons in Dunmow, England, swore at the church door that they hadn't quarrelled for a year and a day, they would get a free side of bacon to take home. The idiom 'bring home the bacon' means to score a point or earn something of value, such as a salary

Why were fountains installed in old buildings?

In ancient Rome, drinking water would be supplied to different parts of the city through aqueducts, Instead of collecting such water in plain troughs; the rich would letitcome out of fountains in their mansions. This would not only serve as a water source but also add beauty to the surroundings. The refreshing ambience created by a fountain used to make it an ideal location in a building for meditation and social gatherings. Even now, some people believe the sound of flowing water such as the jet of a fountain has healing power.

In pulse polio abhiyan, what does 'pulse' mean?

In Pulse Polio Abhiyan, an immunisation campaign since 1994 to eradicate poliomyelitis (polio) from India, 'pulse' stands for Post-Resuscitation and Initial Utility in Life Saving Efforts.

Which is the world's smallest car?

The world's smallest car is the nanocar created by researchers at Rice University. The car measures 4 nm x 3 nm. It is slightly wider than a strand of DNA. The human hair is about 80,000 nanometres thick. The car has a chassis, axles and a pivoting suspension. The wheels are buck-balls, spheres of pure carbon containing 60 atoms a piece.

The French Ligier Be Up is the smallest car in the world still in production and can be driven on public roads. It has two seats, a 505 cc engine and measures 268 cm long, 141 cm wide and 156 cm high. It weighs 330 kg, half the weight of a Mini and it has a top speed of 100 kmph (62.2 mph).

Where was the first-ever grape wine park established in the world?

The grape wine park concept is unique to India. It's an effort to promote grape wine production. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation established two wine parks under the Food Park scheme of the central ministry of food processing industry. The first one, Krishna Grape Wine Park, is at Palus near Miraj. The second is at Vinchur near Nasik and called the Godavari Valley Wine Park. Apart from basic infrastructure facilities, these parks would have other features like a wine festival ground, exhibition centre, wine therapy centre, a three-star hotel, etc.

What is the fuel consumption of an fl car per lap in a grand prix race?

The current Formula One cars have 2.4 litre V8 engines running at 19000 RPM max and can produce about 840 bhp. The fuel consumption is around 75 litres per 100 km. However, a Formula One engine is said to be more than 20% efficient at turning fuel into power than any other car. An average Formula One circuit is around 4.5-5 km. The fuel consumption is different for every circuit depending on the length and corners and also depends on driving style.

What is aristotle's political cycle?

Aristotle classified six forms of states and believed that these keep revolving in a cyclic order. The cycle begins with monarchy which soon gets perverted into tyranny, which gets replaced by aristocracy — the rule of a few wise and able people. Aristocracy soon gets perverted into oligarchy — the rule of the rich, to be replaced by the rule of the people or the majority — polity. Polity gets perverted into democracy — the mob rule. Democracy, in the final turn, gets replaced by monarchy and the cycle begins all over again.

What is asset under management?

Assets Under Management (AUM) is the total value of assets that a mutual fund, hedge fund, or other portfolio manager manages and administers for customers. Many financial services companies use AUM in lieu of revenue. AUM indicates market performance gains/losses, foreign exchange movements; net new assets inflow outflow and structural effects of the company.

What is a hedge fund?

The term hedge fund comes from the phrase 'to hedge one's bets' and refers to the practice of balancing out transactions to ensure that no matter which way the market turns, a profit can still be made. The first hedge fund was created by stock pioneer Alfred Winslow Jones. Hedge fund includes strategies like trading stock options and bonds, purchase or sale of highly undervalued securities. A common hedge fund strategy is buying shares in a company that is in the midst of a merger and acquisition. In this case, there is a guaranteed profit if the merger is completed; the only risk being the acquisition will fail.

What are abc powers?

In 1914, Argentina, Brazil and Chile arbitrated the dispute between the United States and Mexico, which was under Victoriano Huerta's dictatorship. Mexico dissolved into civil war shortly after Woodrow Wilson's became US President in 1913 when Victoriano Huerta seized control of the nation's government from the Constitutionalists. Tension between Mexico and the US culminated in Wilson's seizure of the Mexican port of Veracruz. Wilson appealed to Argentina, Brazil and Chile, the ABC powers, to arbitrate the dispute.

What is carrot and stick policy?

Carrot and stick is an approach to motivation which is widely used by the managers. Carrot stands for rewards while stick stands for penalties. In short, carrots for good performance and sticks for unacceptable performance. It is based on the belief that people are motivated by hope and fear — hope of getting rewards and fear of being denied rewards. If people fail to respond to carrots in a desired manner, sticks can be administered to do the trick. It is justified on the ground that rewards alone are insufficient for motivating people in positive ways.

Why are the latin americas called so even though the language spoken there is spanish?

The term Latin America was coined in the 1860s when the French emperor Napoleon ffl was trying to extend French imperial control over the whole region. He and his ministers used the term to try to suggest at least some degree of cultural similarity between the region and France. The region consists of people who speak Spanish, Portuguese and French. These languages (together with Italian and Romanian) developed from Latin during the days of the Roman Empire and the Europeans who speak them are sometimes called 'Latin' people. Hence the term Latin America.

What is the city of swans?

The City of Swans is a local government area of Western Australia. It is located in Perth's northeastern metropolitan region and the Swan Valley, centred approximately 20 km north-east of the Perth central business district. The city of Lakeland Florida is called the 'city of swans'. The many lakes in Lakeland are graced by white mute swans descended from a pair donated by England's Queen Elizabeth in 1957. The city's original swan population is thought to have originated as pets of lakefront residents around 1923.

What is a solarium?

A solarium is a sun room, derived from the Latin word for 'sun'. In mediaeval Rome, a solarium was a room at the top of the castle towers with windows all around so that the room received sunlight at any time of day Later on, a solarium became a room built largely of glass to afford exposure to the sun. This kind of solarium was similar to a free-standing greenhouse, but could be reached from the home without going outdoors. It was a general view then that an airy sunny room promoted health. In today's context, the term solarium can mean either a sun porch or a tanning bed.

What is a hybrid car?

Any vehicle that combines two or more sources of power that can directly or indirectly provide propulsion power is a hybrid. A hybrid car features a small fuel-efficient gas engine combined with an electric motor that assists the engine when accelerating. The electric motor is powered by batteries that recharge automatically while you drive

What is the origin of the saying, "you can only take a horse to the water but you can't make it drink"?

This proverb means that if you want to help a person, you can only offer the person suitable advice or show her or him an opportunity, but it is wrong to expect the person to follow the advice or seize the opportunity, because a person does not do any thing unless she or he really wants to do it. The proverb must have been based on the observation that an animal does not drink water unless it is really feeling thirsty, no matter how close you take it to water. According to some sources, the proverb is of Rwandan origin. In English, it appeared first in a book on proverbs written by John Heywood in 1546. The form of the saying in the above book was "A man mate well bring a horse to the water, But he cannot make him drink without he will." The wording of the proverb changed over the years and it assumed its current form in the mid-nineteenth century.

What is realla?

Realia is associated with libraries and are objects such as coins, tools, and textiles that do not easily fit into the orderly categories of printed material. It is also used for objects from real life used in classroom education. It concretises vocabulary and language and places it within a frame of reference. It also allows language learners to see, hear, and in some cases, touch the objects. For example, to illustrate and teach concepts such as animals, clothing, fruits, etc., we use pieces of clothing, toy animals, plastic fruit. It's a useful tool in making the abstract concrete.

Who was the world's first woman president?

The world's first woman President was Marma Estela 'Isabel' Martinez Cartas de Peron of Argentina. She was the President of Argentina from 1974 to 1976. After her husband President Juan Peron died in office, Isabel served as President from July 1,1974 to March 24,1976. The world's first elected woman President was Vigdis Finnbogadsttir of Iceland, between 1980 and 1996.

What is geotourism?

It refers to tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of the place being visited, including its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and well-being of its residents. Geotourists are conscious of the environment and inclined to seek culture and unique experiences when they travel.

When was the first santa congress held?

The first Santa Congress started 50 years ago in 1957, when one of the performers at Bakken had a Christmas party in the middle of summer. Santas from all over the world gather in Denmark every year to discuss important matters such as when to hold Christmas and how large the presents can be. This year, the Annual Santa Congress was held at Bakken amusement park in Denmark in July

Why is the uss nimitz called the 'old salt'?

An 'old salt' in English-speaking naval services is often a raconteur, or teller of sea stories. Much of the history and traditions of the navy are passed from generation to generation of service members by these sea stories as told and retold by 'old salts'. Sea stories may be truthful, half-truths, or falsehoods; however, they always enhance the reputations of the naval and ma.rine units, or individuals. Being one of USA's famous ships with a long naval history, the USS Nimitz is referred to as an 'old salt'.

Why is uss nimitz called 'old salt'?

Though an old sailor is called an Old Salt, this warship is called so in honour of the most famous American sailor of WW II, Admiral Chester Nimitz, a great Old Salt himself.

What is druidism?

Druidism was the religious faith of ancient Celtic inhabitants of Gaul and the British Isles from the 2nd century BC until 2nd century AD. In parts of Britain which the Romans did not invade, Druidism survived until it was supplanted by Christianity two to three centuries later. This religion included a belief in the immortality of the soul, which at death was believed to pass into the body of a newborn child.

Which is the largest university in the world?

In terms of campus area, the Berry College, an American private, liberal arts college in Mount Berry on the northern-most boundary of Rome, Georgia is arguably the largest university in the world. It has approximately 2,100 students on 28,000 acres of north Georgia hill country In terms of number of students, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan is the world's largest university with around 1.8 million enrollments, followed by the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, with approximately 1.4 million enrollments.

Which was the first tv talk show?

The talk show, popularly understood as a show comprising a host, a few panelists and a live audience, had its origins in the '70s in American television. Phil Donahue's 'The Donahue Show', which first aired in 1970, is the first talk show. Oprah Winfrey, however, took this format to new levels and is today the highest-paid TV personality.

What's the origin of the word 'greenhorn'?

The word means immature. One explanation relates to green timber which isn't seasoned. The word dates back to the 17th century's jewellery manufacturing industry when animal horns were used as inset in silver frames. The horn was usually decorated with a figure, often a head, and this was impressed in the brown horn by heating it to a specific temperature. Heating it to a higher temperature would result in the horn turning green, not the desired shade of brown. Such an outcome was usually the handiwork of apprentices. Hence, they came to be called greenhorns. Currently, it also refers to foreigners who haven't yet learnt the ways of the new country.

Who is a dreyfusard?

Dreyfusard and anti-Dreyfusard refer to individuals who respectively supported or denounced Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish artillery officer who was wrongly convicted of treason in 1894. This developed into a major political scandal and sharply polarised France into two camps. The Dreyfus affair was shocking abuse of the legal system, primarily driven by anti-Semitism and by an ardent desire to shield the French military from its own mistakes. Dreyfus was eventually vindicated after which he actively served in World War I and received the Legion of Honour.

When are nations said to be developed?

The nations which have a high Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita and a high Human Development Index (HDI) are generally considered developed. According to the United Nations, there is no established convention to classify nations as developed or otherwise. According to the World Bank, a nation which has a gross national per capita income of $11,116 or more is called a high-income country, but it need not to be a developed nation. However, a high HDI is strongly correlated to a prosperous economy HDI mainly focuses on standard of living, literacy, life expectancy, child care, infrastructural availability, clean water and uniform wealth distribution (as per Gini co-efficient).

How many mahatma gandhi roads are there in india?

M G Road is one of the most used road names in India; there are M G Roads in almost all the districts. It is difficult to count the number of roads as they are found in several cities including Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, Lucknow, Agra, Porbundar, Delhi, Kochi, Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Wardha and Nagpur.

What is a tempera painting?

It is a method of painting in which the pigment is held together through a water solution mixed with either egg, casein, gum or glycerin. This method is the oldest and probably executed with a medium of egg yolk, to which a little vinegar was sometimes added. It subsequently became widespread throughout Europe and reached its height in Italy. Today, tempera paints are prepared in tubes and pots, requiring only addition of water or some other medium, usually casein. Tempera paints have a matte (non-glossy) finish, and the colours remain stable for long periods. Egg tempera can be buffed once it is completely dry to yield a rich, lustrous finish.

What is doge of venice?

Doge of Venice was the highest official of the Republic of Venice from the 8th to 18th century It originated when the city was subject to the Byzantine empire and became permanent in the 8th century. The doge was chosen from the ruling families and held office for life. He held extensive power, as seen by the rule of Enrico Donaldo (1192-1205), though from the 12th century, the aristocracy placed limits on the doge's authority. Under Frencesco Foscari (1427-57), Venice undertook the first conquest of the Italian mainland. The last doge was deposed when Napoleon conquered northern Italy in 1797.

Which place is called the granite city?

Aberdeen, Scotland's third largest city, is known as the Granite City It's called so because nearly all its buildings are made of the pale granite that is quarried nearby Madison County, Illinois, USA, is also called Granite City. About 75,000 people live in the immediate Granite City area. Granite City is part of the Greater St. Louis and named by the Niedringhaus Brothers who operated a graniteware plant there.

In which play does the character ophelia appear?

Ophelia is a fictional character in the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. She is a young noblewoman of Denmark, Polonius' daughter, Laertes' sister, and Prince Hamlets sweetheart. Ophelia is often referred to in literature and the arts in connection with suicide, love, and/or mental instability.

What is gravel culture?

Gravel culture is a kind of hydroponic culture (a method where plants are grown without soil for experimental and hobby purposes). Here, pea-sized gravel supports and distributes the root system. This coarse gravel allows a nutrient solution to flow down a slope or to seep from a surface drip and filter down through the roots. When the nutrients flow back into the container, they can be recirculated; otherwise, they are replenished weekly. This cycle maximises both nutrient delivery and aeration to the roots.

Why is champagne showered during a celebration?

The wine-producing region of Champagne in northern France is well known for its special white sparkling wine, which, over the centuries, came to be called by the same name. m its early days, it was produced by French monks living in the region of Champagne and the monks considered the wine holy Around 496 AD, one of the kings of France was converted to Christianity, and his baptism ceremony took place in the Champagne region. During the ceremony, the priests applied Champagne wine on his body. Since then, Champagne, because of its sparkling and bubbly quality, has become synonymous with joy, and people found it refreshing and enjoyable to spray the wine on one another during celebrations of all kinds. Members of the winning team in sports celebrate their victory by pouring champagne on one another.

What is the origin of the phrase 'dead ringer'?

The definition of ringer, from which this phrase originated, is 'substituted racehorse'. Unscrupulous racehorse owners would have a fast horse and a slow horse, nearly identical in appearance. They would use the slow horse until the betting odds reached the desired level. Then they'd substitute the ringer, which could run much faster. Dead, in this case means abrupt or exact like in dead stop, or dead shot. In other explanations, in order to make sure that a buried person was actually dead, a string was sometimes tied to the deceased person's wrist and attached to a bell above the ground. If he was merely unconscious and woke up he could ring the bell and draw attention to himself — he was a 'dead ringer'. In current usage someone who closely resembles a deceased person is regarded a 'dead ringer'.

In which range of the himalayas is kashmir located?

Kashmir is located in the Pir Panjal Range. The other ranges of the Himalayas are Dhaula Dhar range Zanskar range, Ladakh range and East Korakoram range

Why is the cape of good hope called so?

In 1486, Bartholomew Diaz, a Portuguese nobleman sailed from Lisbon, determined to follow the African coast farther than anyone had before. After he had passed the mouth of the Congo (now Zaire) River, a fierce storm sent his ship reeling out to sea. When the gales had blown themselves out, he came back to the coast and found to his surprise that it now lay to the west. The storm had blown his ship right around the cape. On his return to Portugal, Diaz told King John II that he had named the great promontory the Cape of Storms. The king, realising this discovery might open a route to greater wealth, suggested it be renamed the Cape of Good Hope.

Why was trafalgar square built?

Trafalgar Square situated in London was built to memorialise Lord Horatio Nelson's victory against Napoleon's navy at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The original name was to have been King William the Fourth's Square, but George Ledwell Taylor suggested the name Trafalgar Square. A large monument to Lord Nelson, who won the battle of Trafalgar, stands in the centre of the square. The four-sided base of Nelson's column depicts Nelson's naval victories. On the North — The Battle of the Nile; the East — The Bombardment of Copenhagen; the West — The Battle of St Vincent and the South— The Death of Nelson.

Who are called cosers?

A section of youth in Taiwan who dress up like Japanese animation characters are called cosers. They emulate not just the costumes but even the roles of the characters. Experts view this trend as a way in which these youths try to break out of strict traditions of Chinese society. The act of imitating these characters is called cosplay. The cosers exhibited their flamboyant sense of style during the recently held expo of Japanese manga animation in Taiwan.

Who was the first man in hindu mythology?

According to the Matsya Purana, sage Manu was the first man (and the first human) created by God, In the above Purana it was mentioned that lord Brahma created, using his difine powers, the Goddess Shatrupa (as Saraswati was first called) and out of the union of Brahma and Shatrupa was born Manu. Manu obtained through long penance his wife Ananti. The rest of the human race originated from Manu and Ananti. Details about the children of Manu and Ananti are found in the Bhagavata Purana. Manu is also considered to be the author of the ancient Sansiilrit code of law, Manu Smrifi, which was the summary of a discourse given by Manu to several rishis. The English noun man and the Sanskrit verb mun, meaning to think, are supposed to have evolved from the word Manu. Rigveda has a different account of the origin of the human race, which was born from the five children (four male, and one female) of Lord Prajapati, as Brahma was earlier called. Of the two versions, the Matsya Purana is more popular and complete.

What is the difference between a notification and a circular?

A notification is issued by a government (central/ state) to exercise the power of a legislative enactment (Parlimentary/ Assembly). These powers are in abundance in taxation (direct/ indirect) legislations. These notifications generally lay down the law taking care of some procedural aspects of the enactment.-The circulars are issued by the chief executive in charge of the taxation hierarchy, and are normally explanatory/ interpretative or relax the rigours of the law administered.

Why are domestic lpg cylinders red?

Domestic LPG cylinders are not always red in colour. For example, blue-coloured cylinders are used in Singapore. Red colour light has the highest wavelength in the visible spectrum. So, it is visible even from a long distance. Red colour is used for anything which is dangerous or urgent. As we know that LPG is highly inflammable, it is painted red for the safety of the consumer.

What are teepees made of?

Long before the Indians from the plains moved from place to place throughout the year, taking their homes with them, they had lightweight, comfortable, collapsible structures which they called teepees (or tepees or tipis). Teepee is a tall, cone-shaped tent dwelling used by the plains' Indians, and was made by stretching buffalo skin over a skeleton of 20-30 wooden poles, all slanted towards a central point and tied together near the top. A flap at the top allowed smoke to escape, and a flap. at the bottom served as a doorway Water-resistant and flame-retardant teepees are even produced from the best natural cotton canvas by marquee manufactures and have withstood hard commercial use for many years. The basic design and construction methods of the teepee have also been well established over many years to increase the life of the teepee.

Who created the smiley?

Research professor at the Carnegie Mellon University Scott E Fahtman is said to be the creator of the smiley, an emoticon used in internet parlance. It is believed that Fahlman sent an e-mail to his colleagues on September 19,1982; I propose the following character sequence for joke markers;:-). Read it sideways." This year, the emoticon which has endeared itself the world over, turned 25. To celebrate its silver jubilee, an annual Smiley Award meant for CMU students was created. It carries a cash prize of $500. Prof Fahlman says that the Smiley Award is for 'innovation in technology-assisted human to-human communication'.

Why is world aids day observed on december 1?

The first World AIDS Day came in the wake of the world summit of ministers of health on programmes for AIDS prevention in London in January 1988 which delegates from 148 countries attended. They emphasised the need for worldwide AIDS education, the free exchange of information, and the protection of human rights and dignity The World Health Organisation recognised the event by declaring December 1 as World AIDS Day. In 1991, the red ribbon became the international symbol of HIV and AIDS awareness. It was created by the Visual AIDS Caucus in New York. It made its public debut at the 1991 Tony Awards on the lapel of host Jeremy Irons.

Which is the world's first sez?

A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a region that has economic laws that are more liberal than a country's typical economic laws. The goal of an SEZ is to increase foreign investment. One of the earliest and the most famous SEZs was founded by the government of the People's Republic of China under Deng Xiaoping in the early 1980s. The most successful SEZ in China is in Shenzhen. Following this example, SEZs have been established in several countries, including Brazil, India, Iran, Jordan, Kazas Bistan, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine.

Who was the first indian to be knighted?

Queen Victoria founded The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India in 1861, which was an order of chivalry, meant to be given to viceroys of India, nawabs and princes for their meritorious service and loyalty to the British empire. The people admitted to this order were called knights. In the year of its founding, Nawab Sikandar Begum Sahiba, Nawab Begum of Bhopal was made the Knight Grand Commander of the Star of India (GCSI). Later, her daughter and grand-daughter also received the same honour.

Who are kitchen police?

Kitchen police are military service personnel whose services are deployed to assist the cook in the kitchen. They help the cook by cutting vegetables, cleaning the floor, washing the dishes, etc. Sometimes, regular combat personnel are also sent on kitchen duty as punishment for minor offences. This term has been used in the US since World War I.

What are ugg boots?

Traditionally, ugg boots are Australian boots made from sheep skin, with wool as the inner lining and a tanned outer surface. The natural properties of sheep skin results in thermostatic benefits. Thick fleecy fibres on the inner part of the boots allow air to circulate during summer so that the feet do not become excessively warm. In winter, the sheep skin prevents heat loss and is highly effective. Ugg boots are designed to be worn without socks. The name ugg is probably derived from the word ugly to indicate their ugly look.

How are international telephone dialling codes assigned to countries?

International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recommendation defines the international public telecommunication numbering ^ttttsedin the PSTN. It also defines the format of telephone numbers. As per these recommendations, numbers can have a maximum of 15 digits and are usually written with a + prefix. CCITT, the predecessor of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), developed the first formal list of telephone country codes. It was included in the 1964 CCITT Blue Book, which became ITU-T recommendation E.164. The list was organised by creating nine zones, one for each international region. Zone 1 — United States, Canada, Bermuda and other Caribbean nations; Zone 2 for Africa and other Atlantic Islands; Zone 3 for Europe; Zone 4 for Europe; Zone 5 for Mexico, South America, Caribbean, and Central America; Zone 6 for Oceania and South-East Asia; Zone 7 for Russia, former Soviet Union Zone; Zone 8 for East Asia and other special services; Zone 9 for South, Central, West Asia and Middle East.

What is psiphon?

Psiphon is a censorship circumvention solution that allows users to access blocked sites in countries where the internet is censored. Psiphon turns a regular home computer into a personal, encrypted server capable of retrieving and displaying web pages anywhere. Psiphon is a human rights software project developed by the Citizen Lab.

What are bionic buildings?

In the era of ever-increasing urbanisation, people live and work in high-rise buildings which depend on artificial energy sources like electricity for survival. In the natural world, insects like spiders use a saliva-made fibre to construct their steely web. Termites build intricate airway systems in their habitat. In the same way, some architects and engineers have turned to nature for inspiration when designing buildings. These buildings are called bionic buildings. They are designed to enhance the efficiency in usage of energy by having a provision for entry of sunrays (natural lighting) to reduce dependence on electricity.

What is the lantern festival?

The 15th day of the first lunar month is the Chinese Lantern Festival because the first lunar month is called yuan-month and in ancient times people called the night Xiao. The 15th day is the first night when the full moon is visible. So, the day is also called Yuan Xiao Festival in China. According to Chinese tradition, at the very beginning of a new year, when there is a bright full moon hanging in the sky, there should be thousands of colourful lanterns hung out for people to appreciate. At this time, people try to solve the puzzles on the lanterns and eat yuanxiao (glutinous rice ball) and families gather to make for a joyful atmosphere.

If red roses speak of love, what do yellow roses indicate?

Yellow roses indicate friendship as the bright, sunny colour of yellow roses evokes a feeling of warmth and happiness. The warm feelings associated with the yellow rose are often akin to those shared with a true friend.

What is pop art?

The term pop art is short for popular art. It emerged from the pen of English critic Lawrence Alloway in the late 1950s to describe what he viewed as a contemporary attitudinal shift in subject matter and techniques of art. Beginning in England in the mid-1950s and America in early '60s, pop art focussed on everyday objects rendered through an adoption of commercial art techniques. In doing so, artists availed themselves of images and ideas culled from popular culture, including movies, comic books, advertising, and especially, television — faithfully reproduced in all their mass-produced glory. Thus, by making use of what had been dismissed as kitsch by the art establishment, pop artists whose works were displayed in museums effectively thumbed their collective noses at the distinction between highbrow and lowbrow art.

What's the doomsday vault?

The doomsday vault is a Noah's Ark of sorts which would store samples of the world's most important seeds. It was inaugurated at Longyearbyen, Norway on Tuesday The vault is trident-shaped tunnel bored into the permafrost of the Arctic mountain range. It comprises three cold chambers and can hold 4.5 billion batches of seeds from the world's main crops. This is to ensure that species of plants obliterated by any manmade or natural disaster can be regrown.

How was the term pink slip coined?

In America, there was an old practice where the personnel department would put a discharge notice printed on pink paper in the pay envelope to notify the employee of his or her termination of employment or lay-off. The term pink slip also refers to a car race in which the winner receives the loser's car where the vehicle title would be printed on pink paper. The term dates back to 1915. However, originally, the colour of the paper had no particular significance.

Who is adolf loos?

Adolf Loos was an Austrian architect and theoretician, one of the most important representatives of modern architecture. In his theoretical and practical works, he developed a concept of functionalist architecture, free of decoration, which he regarded as superficial and subjective (in his essay Ornament and Crime). Among Loos' most significant works were the Steiner House and the Goldman & Salatsch department store in Vienna. The Miller Villa in Prague is among his climactic house buildings, described as "a single large, airy space" (the so-called 'Raumplan'). Loos also designed a number of coffee houses and luxury shops (particularly in Vienna) as well as apartments.

What is ‘a very silent night'?

It's music to a dog's ears, literally A Very Silent Night' is a CD recorded at a frequency only dogs can hear. It was recently launched in New Zealand. It's not to be confused with the Christmas hymn Silent Night, Holy Night.

What is international white cane day?

James Biggs of Bristol claimed to have invented the white cane in 1921. After he lost his vision in an accident, the artist felt threatened by increased motor vehicle traffic around his home and decided to paint his walking stick white to make himself more visible to motorists. It was not, however, until 10 years later the white cane became established. With the realisation that the black cane was barely visible to motorists, the Lion's Club decided to paint the cane white to increase its visibility and then began a national programme promoting the use of white canes for visually impaired persons. During the early 1960s, several state organisations and rehabilitation agencies serving visually impaired citizens of the United States urged Congress to proclaim October 15 the White Cane Safety Day A joint resolution of Congress was signed authorising the US president to proclaim October 15 as White Cane Safety Day

What are gigantes?

In Greek mythology, the gigantes were a race of giants, children oil Gaia or Gaea (Earth Mother) who was fertilized by the blood of Uranus when Cronus castrated him. The primordial Gigantes rose up in arms against the Olympians in an attempt to end the reign of the Olympian gods but were defeated by them and buried beneath the Earth, where their writhing is supposed to cause volcanic activity and earthquakes.

Which desert is also known as shamo? Why?

The Gobi desert, the extensive area of southern Mongolia and northern China and the largest desert in Asia, is also known as Shamo. It's the Chinese word for 'sand desert'. The Gobi, which extends 1,600 km from East to West and about 1,000 km from North to South, has an area of about 1,300,000 sq km. It is bounded by the Da Hinggan Ling (Greater Khingan Range) on the East, the Alton Shan and Nan Shan mountains on the South, the Tian i Shan mountains on the West, and the Altay and Hangayn Nuruu (Khangai) mountains and Yablonovyy Range on the North.

What is an adobe?

In Peru, where I come from, an adobe is a brick made of mud mixed with other material such as cane, straw and stone to give consistency It is dried in the sun. The adobe also provides a cool atmosphere to buildings made of it and is therefore used in much different kind of constructions. In Peru, there are many archaeological places that used this material, like the Huaca del Sol (450 CE), a great pre-Columbian construction in Trujillo, Peru which used around 100 million adobe bricks. Chan Chan, Huaca Pucllana, and many other complexes of our rich culture were also made with adobe. The great colonial buildings were also made with adobe, a very good material in dry weather prevalent on the coast of Peru where it rarely rains. Even today, adobe is still used for home constructions.

What does thor refer to?

It's widely known that Thor is the Norse God of Thunder. But now, Thor is also the first ship made of ice-cream sticks that will sail to the UK from the Netherlands. This new-age Viking ship is built with 15 Million recycled ice-cream sticks which are glued together. It was created by stuntman Robert McDonald along with his son and over 5,000 children.

What are fizeau's fringes?

Fizeau's fringes occur in interferometry. One of the most common methods used to test the flatness of a polished surface is by analyzing the interference patterns formed when the surface is placed against another polished flat transparent surface. When two surfaces are fully in contact, a pattern of concentric dark and light cycles is seen and these patterns (or fringes) are called Newton's rings. However, when the surfaces are separated by a very thin wedge-shaped layer of air, straight, parallel, dark and light patterns are produced and these are called Fizeau's fringes. These fringes are named in honour of French physicist Armand Hippolyte Louis Fizeau (1819-1896), who used the interference of light to measure the dilation of crystals.

What is the origin of the term 'the whole nine yards'?

This phrase's origins have several interpretations. Some popular ones are as follows: nine yards probably refers to the amount of cloth/ material needed to make a wedding dress or bridal train, a man's three-piece suit or a burial shroud. Also, the term, perhaps, comes from World War II pilots who wanted to be sure that they were fully loaded with ammunition before take-off. The ammunition belts were normally 27 ft or 9 yards. Alternatively, the term comes from the capacity of ready-mix concrete trucks which were normally 9 cubic yards — the whole nine yards referred to a fully loaded concrete truck.

What is back-door financing?

Back-door financing, an American concept, is the practice of governmental borrowing from the US treasury over and above legislature-approved budgeted expenses. The government resorts to this form of financing to meet unforeseen expenses arising out of events such as natural calamities.

Why is quartz used in watches?

Quartz is used in watches as it acts as a piezoelectric oscillator. As a potential difference is applied across quartz, stress is generated across the perpendicular faces of the quartz crystal. It is known as reverse piezoelectric effect. The word piezo in Greek means pressure and, therefore, piezoelectricity means pressure electricity It fakes place in some crystals like quartz which lack certain symmetrical properties. A mechanical stress produces an electric polarization and, reciprocally, an applied field produces a mechanical strain. So, this oscillator keeps watches ticking.

What is the geographical indications (gi) registry?

In December 1999; the Parliament passed the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. It seeks to provide registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods produced and manufactured in India. The Act is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Design and Trade Marks who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications. The Geographical Indications Registry is located in Chenhai.

What is the subprime effect?

Subprime lending, also called 'B-Paper', 'near-prime' or 'second chance' lending, refers to they practice of giving loans to borrowers at interest rates above the prevailing market rates because of their low credit status and increased risk due to either a limited credit history, or histories of payment delinquencies, charge-offs or bankruptcies. Subprime lending includes mortgages, credit cards and car loans. It is risky for both the lender and the borrower. It helps those consumers who otherwise Would not have access to credit market. But on the flip side the borrowers do not have the resources to meet the long-term loan obligations. But the crisis began in 2006, when in the US, thousands of borrowers defaulted in payments; as a result many lenders had to file for bankruptcy leading to a direct impact on the US housing market and economy as a whole.

What is dumdum bullet?

In the 1890s, the British military developed a bullet to be used at Dum Dum arsenal in India.'s North-West frontier and was named 'dumdum' bullet. It comprised a jacketed .303 bullet in which the jacket nose opened to expose its lead core to improve the effectiveness of the bullet by increasing its expansion upon impact. Afterwards, the term dumdum was taken to include any softnosed or hallow-pointed bullet. In 1899, the use of dumdum bullet was outlawed following the Hague Convention. But during First World War, the Germans accused the Belgian government of having used a dumdum bullet which the Belgians strongl denied.

What is a fish-eye lens?

It is a type of wide-angle lens used in photography to capture extremely wide and hemispherical images. Its focus length varies between 8-10 mm for circular lenses and 15-16 mm for full frame lens. Originally developed for use in meteorology and astronomy, it is used in planetariums and IMAX dome theatres to show pictures on a broad canvas.

What is the flynn effect?

The Flynn Effect is the rise of average intelligence quotient test scores seen over a period of time; say a decade or a century, in a country due to better schooling, improved nutrition or TV or even greater familiarity with multiple choice questions. The effect was named after New Zealand philosopher James R Flynn.

What is grimm's law?

Grimm's Law shows the systematic relationship between consonants in Germanic languages and consonants in other Indo-European languages, stating what phonetic changes took place. It is a phonetic principle formulated by German philologist Jacob Grimm in 1822. It describes the pattern of two stages of sound changes, known as the German consonant shift and the High German consonant shift. Grimm's Law is important because it demonstrates the development, from the Old Germanic languages, of more recent languages such as English, Dutch, and Low German. It also shows that changes in a language and in groups of languages come about gradually and not as a result of random' word changes.

What's unique about gothenburg?

Located on the west coast of Sweden, Gothenburg is Sweden's second largest city Known primarily as a university city housing two famous universities —University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology — Gothenburg is also an important trade centre, having one of the largest ports in the Scandinavian countries. Further, the city happens to be an important cultural and sports centre among Scandinavian countries, possessing many theatres, museums, parks, and sports clubs. The annual Gothenburg Film Festival is the biggest in Scandinavia. Despite its relatively small size, Gothenburg organizes many largescale international sports championships. During March 18-23, 2008, World Figure Skating championships were held there at the Scandinavian Arena, the second largest indoor stadium of Sweden.

What is the ole robotic beetle?

These are robots that look like Volkswagen Beetle cars, only they have legs instead of wheels. They can scuttle

About the Author

Dr. Ashok Kumar Sharma, M.A.(History); Certificate in Taxidermy(Madras); Certifate in Library Science (TOPPER-ML Sukhadia Uni. Udaipur,(Rajasthan) INDIA. Hobby: Cricket; Postal Stamp Collection and Collection of Quotations since 1981.