Re: More "iums

[Pete and Fran Thelander]

During 30+ years in the space rocket business, I regularly encountered projects that required materials of near infinite strength and zero weight. This was referred to variously as UNOBTAINIUM, ULTIMINIUM, or just plain BALONEYUM. Unfortunately, many of these projects reach surprisingly advanced stages of development (at substantial expenditure of funds - corporate or federal) before the impracticality of the concept was exposed and abandoned. Case in point - look at the long string of single stage to orbit concepts that litter the financial landscape. The impossibility of these concepts was entirely predictable to anyone with an understanding of first year physics. Pete Thelander, retired rocket scientist.

> [Original Message] > From: CFritz7001@aol.com> > To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> > Date: 11/13/01 2:49:55 PM > Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] More "iums > > I tried valiantly, but just can't resist adding the following "iums" to

the

> list: > > UNOBTANIUM--- The material from which is made all those little exotic and > rare parts you desperately need to complete a project, especially if

it is

> the restoration of an older British car > > PISTOMINIUM--- The alloy from which the MG factory "foundy" once made > prototype and racing parts. It is produced by smelting or melting down > pistons, etc. which were broken during bouts of excessive revs., > especially in the presence of excessive boost from oversize

superchargers.

> > Regards, > Carl Fritz > TC # 6756 (Betsy) > VA # 2009 S (Abigail) > Gainesville, Florida > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ >

--- Pete and Fran Thelander --- pthelander@earthlink.net

[C Sherriff]

Peter, The one I particularly liked was the concept (shortly after its recent rediscovery and appreciation of some of its properties) of a fine strand of Buckmaster Fullerine (not a metal but a carbon varient) The idea being that it could be formed into a reel and let down from a satelite to earth. It could then be used to pull up a stronger cord - which could be used to pull up a yet stronger ---etc and so create the literal Stairway to Heaven. It does have a certain air of possibility about it somehow ! Clive Amongst the dreaming Spires of Oxford UK ================================================== Message text written by INTERNET:pthelander@earthlink.net

>During 30+ years in the space rocket business, I regularly encountered

projects that required materials of near infinite strength and zero weight. This was referred to variously as UNOBTAINIUM, ULTIMINIUM, or just plain BALONEYUM. Unfortunately, many of these projects reach surprisingly advanced stages of development (at substantial expenditure of funds - corporate or federal) before the impracticality of the concept was exposed and abandoned. Case in point - look at the long string of single stage to orbit concepts that litter the financial landscape. The impossibility of these concepts was entirely predictable to anyone with an understanding of first year physics.

[Geoff Love]

I think that if Clive is going to poke fun at "American" English and participate in a discussion on spelling, perhaps he should learn how to spell variant and satellite correctly! After all, he is dreaming amongst the most learned Spires of England. C Sherriff wrote:

Peter,

The one I particularly liked was the concept (shortly after its recent rediscovery and appreciation of some of its properties) of a fine strand of Buckmaster Fullerine (not a metal but a carbon varient)SIC!!!

The idea being that it could be formed into a reel and let down from a sateliteSIC!!! to earth. It could then be used to pull up a stronger cord - which could be used to pull up a yet stronger ---etc and so create the literal Stairway to Heaven.

It does have a certain air of possibility about it somehow !

Clive Amongst the dreaming Spires of Oxford UK

==================================================

Message text written by INTERNET:pthelander@earthlink.net

>During 30+ years in the space rocket business, I regularly encountered projects that required materials of near infinite strength and zero weight. This was referred to variously as UNOBTAINIUM, ULTIMINIUM, or just plain BALONEYUM. Unfortunately, many of these projects reach surprisingly advanced stages of development (at substantial expenditure of funds - corporate or federal) before the impracticality of the concept was exposed and abandoned. Case in point - look at the long string of single stage to orbit concepts that litter the financial landscape. The impossibility of these concepts was entirely predictable to anyone with an understanding of first year physics.<

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/