As regular readers will now from the 2009 Total Politics until the announcement of this year's results, this blog counted in binary. It does help being a maths geek when you come 11, 11 and 101 respectively. Well today is another day when binary rules, ultimately across the galaxy and through life.
Why?
Let me explain.
Today's date in 10/10/10 or just plain old 101010. It works in Europe or America or Asia. We all get it the same way round no confusion.
In binary that is 1x2 plus 1x8 plus 1x32. Or 2+8+32=42.
As all well travelled and read economy travellers through our Galaxy know that is the ultimate answer, the answer to life, the universe and everything. There is of course still some conjecture as to what the actual question is, but never mind that for now.
Therefore today you may see people walking around carrying their towel. Don't Panic! They have not just* gone mad. Indeed if they know where their towel is yet you don't on certain planets in the galaxy there sanity as well as preparedness index is well ahead of yours.
Me and my Towel are heading off to Belfast later for a screening of a film. I may well slip out wearing my dressing gown and slippers, for reasons that to some of you will be obviously apparent.
So long for now, thanks for all the fish.
Normal service will be resumed on 111010 (Europe) 101110 (USA) 101011 (Asian).
* For legal reasons I've been advised to include the word just some of these people are clearly mad but it isn't a recent occurance other are quite obviously sane indeed some run science labs, space programmes, countries. On the other hand other's have said that such professions require a certain degree of insanity.
Showing posts with label Douglas Adams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Douglas Adams. Show all posts
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
It's Friday....So Patricia Neal Sood Still
Well it is Friday so I'm going to let you in on some of what I got up to this week and linked into what happened last weekend.
As Patricia Neal, who died during the week, starred in The Day the Earth Stood Still it is just cause to show you this which mentions her co-star Michael Rennie in the opening line.
As Mat Bowles who gets my hat tip says it isn't perfect in places but good none the less. But hey as it was the tenth anniversary of H2G2's Scottish Researchers Group last Saturday it is also an excuse to link to something I wrote earlier in another place.
Of course as well as H2G2 last weekend I also combined it with Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy, of course not for the first time. His jazzed up performance of the song that merges the two doesn't have the visuals but here is the opening version of the song that goes with the immortal toast.
In my post earlier this week I did mention that the Skye Boat Song was something that Rupert Murdoch didn't own, so I was considering posting a version of it here. After all, Edinburgh's Tattoo is on at the moment, you can hardly move on the High Street and if you are trying to get around at the wrong time of the evening at the top of the Royal Mile or thereabouts forget it. But I thought of something a little more upbeat was appropriate.
As Patricia Neal, who died during the week, starred in The Day the Earth Stood Still it is just cause to show you this which mentions her co-star Michael Rennie in the opening line.
As Mat Bowles who gets my hat tip says it isn't perfect in places but good none the less. But hey as it was the tenth anniversary of H2G2's Scottish Researchers Group last Saturday it is also an excuse to link to something I wrote earlier in another place.
Of course as well as H2G2 last weekend I also combined it with Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy, of course not for the first time. His jazzed up performance of the song that merges the two doesn't have the visuals but here is the opening version of the song that goes with the immortal toast.
In my post earlier this week I did mention that the Skye Boat Song was something that Rupert Murdoch didn't own, so I was considering posting a version of it here. After all, Edinburgh's Tattoo is on at the moment, you can hardly move on the High Street and if you are trying to get around at the wrong time of the evening at the top of the Royal Mile or thereabouts forget it. But I thought of something a little more upbeat was appropriate.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
SEXY MAC 2010^
^Scottish Edinburgh 10 Year Meet And Curry
Ten years ago (on Thursday*) the inaugural H2G2 (Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy) Scottish Researchers Group meet up happened. We met under the Scott Monument although I was a little late having come the whole way from Northern Ireland that morning to be there.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. SRG members have fallen in love with each other, fallen out of love, there have been weddings, handknottings and bairns. However, we at least are re-enacting that first contact by meeting in the same place, under the Scott Monument with at least five of the original attendees towels in hand.
From then only two things will be the same as from that first day. A volatile, clear liquid will be partaken in various forms and a log, the tradition first started on a scrap of paper in that first meeting will be kept, added to by anyone and later be deciphered. As tradition dictates if it is in the log IT HAPPENED.
However, there will also be a hashtag and I may be taking live into my hands by putting the live feed up here.
* Though then it was a Saturday.
Ten years ago (on Thursday*) the inaugural H2G2 (Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy) Scottish Researchers Group meet up happened. We met under the Scott Monument although I was a little late having come the whole way from Northern Ireland that morning to be there.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. SRG members have fallen in love with each other, fallen out of love, there have been weddings, handknottings and bairns. However, we at least are re-enacting that first contact by meeting in the same place, under the Scott Monument with at least five of the original attendees towels in hand.
From then only two things will be the same as from that first day. A volatile, clear liquid will be partaken in various forms and a log, the tradition first started on a scrap of paper in that first meeting will be kept, added to by anyone and later be deciphered. As tradition dictates if it is in the log IT HAPPENED.
However, there will also be a hashtag and I may be taking live into my hands by putting the live feed up here.
* Though then it was a Saturday.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Belated Towel Day Addition
Hey folks I only found this last night, 42 Awesome Ways to Use a Towel hopefully you all know where yours is by now after yesterday's blogposts from me and others. Now it is time to use the "most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have".
As for Caron pointing out that the times of my posts from yesterday were not what she'd call a coincidence, quite correct just highly impropable.
So follow the first link and you will just some of the ways in which to use your towel. I only wish I'd come up with it first.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Towel Day IX: Time for the Immortal Toast
Of course this the Towel Day IX, not to be confused with Ix (which means boy who cannot sufficiently explain what a Hrung is, nor why it should choose to collapse on Betelgeuse Seven). Of course a boy with just that name came to Earth to expand on the entry in the Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy from harmless, to something more substantial. After some research he settled on the name Ford Prefect as being inconspicuous.
But as the day draws to a close it is time for the immortal toast.
To absent friends. So long and thanks for all the fish.
But just remember to drink responsibly.
But as the day draws to a close it is time for the immortal toast.
To absent friends. So long and thanks for all the fish.
But just remember to drink responsibly.
Towel Day: What We are Missing Out On
When Douglas Adams died he was working. He was writing!
Yes that does deserve an exclamation mark as any Adams fan will tell you of Douglas's oft repeated phrase:
"I love the sound of deadlines.
The sound they make as they whoosh past my head."
Yes he wasn't good at meeting deadlines, but when he wasn't restricted by them his creative juices coud flow. It seemed from this his last interview that he was sadly, prematurely cut off midflow.
Yes that does deserve an exclamation mark as any Adams fan will tell you of Douglas's oft repeated phrase:
"I love the sound of deadlines.
The sound they make as they whoosh past my head."
Yes he wasn't good at meeting deadlines, but when he wasn't restricted by them his creative juices coud flow. It seemed from this his last interview that he was sadly, prematurely cut off midflow.
Towel Day: The Origins of God
Whilst there is a lot that I love about Douglas Adams, there are a few things were we disagree. One of those if God.
I believe there is one, Douglas believed there wasn't. What I do appreciate though is that he wasnt a lazy atheist he was someone who thought about it, often and he was someone who put his thoughts into words.
Of course I would urge you like Douglas to look for yourself and don't his or my word for it.
I believe there is one, Douglas believed there wasn't. What I do appreciate though is that he wasnt a lazy atheist he was someone who thought about it, often and he was someone who put his thoughts into words.
Of course I would urge you like Douglas to look for yourself and don't his or my word for it.
Towel Day: The Man Knew Where His Was
Recent TV viewers will know that the brilliant Stephen Fry went on his own Last Chance to See but of course it was his friend Douglas Adams who went first.
In fact Douglas was only meant to go and see the Aye-Aye and other celebrities were meant to do the rest. But the partnership he struck up with Mark Carwardine and the passion he garnered for the subject of wildlife meant that he ended up doing the whole lot.
Here is Douglas with towel (appropriately for today) talking about that first trip.
In fact Douglas was only meant to go and see the Aye-Aye and other celebrities were meant to do the rest. But the partnership he struck up with Mark Carwardine and the passion he garnered for the subject of wildlife meant that he ended up doing the whole lot.
Here is Douglas with towel (appropriately for today) talking about that first trip.
Towel Day: So Long and Thanks...
.... For All the Fish
Yes today as any Douglas Adams fan will tell you in towel day. Do you know where yours is?
So to celebrate here is the opening title sequence of the film that Douglas was working on when he unfortunately died of a heart attack.
There is some dispute about the worthiness of this opening to the film. But as Douglas was constantly tweaking with the concept I've also heard that it was his idea to open with a musical number. Lest we forget the so long and thanks for all the fish bit in the TV series did have a radiophonic workshop rendition of a dolphin whistling the Star Spangled Banner so if this was Douglas's vision to get the film off to a start it was his move into another genre. At least he didn't, at least not when he died, have the idea of Hitch Hiker's Guide: The Musical who knows we may well have had that by now if he was that way inclined.
Yes today as any Douglas Adams fan will tell you in towel day. Do you know where yours is?
So to celebrate here is the opening title sequence of the film that Douglas was working on when he unfortunately died of a heart attack.
There is some dispute about the worthiness of this opening to the film. But as Douglas was constantly tweaking with the concept I've also heard that it was his idea to open with a musical number. Lest we forget the so long and thanks for all the fish bit in the TV series did have a radiophonic workshop rendition of a dolphin whistling the Star Spangled Banner so if this was Douglas's vision to get the film off to a start it was his move into another genre. At least he didn't, at least not when he died, have the idea of Hitch Hiker's Guide: The Musical who knows we may well have had that by now if he was that way inclined.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
How to Leave the Planet
I just had a thought when I woke up last night that some of my Towel Day tributes may inspire some intripid earthman/ape descendent/monkey man/carbon based lifeform that thinks digital watches are a pretty neat idea [Delete as applicable] to see the wonders of the Galaxy for less than 30 Altarian Dollars as day, they may want to know how to get started.
I think the advice from Douglas Adams himself from the anthology of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy in 1983 and in the same for the Trilogy in Four Parts in 1985 may be of assistance. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of DNA's original phone numbers. And I have added a little few additions in the footnotes.
1. Phone NASA. Their phone number is (713) 483-3111. Explain that's it's very important taht you get away as soon as possible.
2. If they do not cooperate, phone any friend you may have in the White House* - (202) 456-1414 - to have a word on your behalf with the guys from NASA.
3. If you don't have any friends at the White House, phone the Kremlin (ask the overseas operator for 0107-095-295-90510. They don't ahve any friends there either (at least none to speak of), but they do seem to have a little influence, so you may as well try.
4. If that also fails, phone the Pope for guidance. His telephone number is 011-39-6-6982, and I gather his switchboard is infallible.
5. If all these attempts fail, flag down a passing flying saucer** and explain that's it vitally important you get away before your phone bill arrives.
* Which of us in this Facebook age aren't a friend of the big man himself.
** You may wish to contact SETI (Search for Extra Terrestial Intelligence) for guidance as to the best direction to look.
I think the advice from Douglas Adams himself from the anthology of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy in 1983 and in the same for the Trilogy in Four Parts in 1985 may be of assistance. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of DNA's original phone numbers. And I have added a little few additions in the footnotes.
1. Phone NASA. Their phone number is (713) 483-3111. Explain that's it's very important taht you get away as soon as possible.
2. If they do not cooperate, phone any friend you may have in the White House* - (202) 456-1414 - to have a word on your behalf with the guys from NASA.
3. If you don't have any friends at the White House, phone the Kremlin (ask the overseas operator for 0107-095-295-90510. They don't ahve any friends there either (at least none to speak of), but they do seem to have a little influence, so you may as well try.
4. If that also fails, phone the Pope for guidance. His telephone number is 011-39-6-6982, and I gather his switchboard is infallible.
5. If all these attempts fail, flag down a passing flying saucer** and explain that's it vitally important you get away before your phone bill arrives.
* Which of us in this Facebook age aren't a friend of the big man himself.
** You may wish to contact SETI (Search for Extra Terrestial Intelligence) for guidance as to the best direction to look.
Towel Day 2009 DNA Tribute 8
Well as it has been 8 years almost since Douglas Adams died. This is a fitting place to leave the last tribute to him on my blog. I hope regular readers will have enjoyed some writing by me in a different style, on different subjects. So where does that leave us.
Douglas was proud that he was born in Cambridge in 1952 and joked that there were more than one important DNA discovery to come out of that university city that year. My favourite Douglas Adams, indeed one of my all time favourite quotes is this.
For the ultimate procrastinator to have inspired a blogger, an instant commentator to write he would be turning in his bath at the irony. However, he'd also be going your play is eight years in the making and your novel ten so maybe there is a bit of me in you after all.
However, there is but one more thing to do. If you will raise your Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster, or a less lethal alcoholic beverage of your choice.
Douglas was proud that he was born in Cambridge in 1952 and joked that there were more than one important DNA discovery to come out of that university city that year. My favourite Douglas Adams, indeed one of my all time favourite quotes is this.
"I like deadlines.
"I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."
For the ultimate procrastinator to have inspired a blogger, an instant commentator to write he would be turning in his bath at the irony. However, he'd also be going your play is eight years in the making and your novel ten so maybe there is a bit of me in you after all.
However, there is but one more thing to do. If you will raise your Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster, or a less lethal alcoholic beverage of your choice.
To absent friends.
So long.
And thanks for all the fish.
Demon Drawer 2009
Towel Day 2009 DNA Tribute 7
Like the entry on Digital Watches that I re-published here earlier I tried to get in another quote from Douglas Adams unto H2G2. This one was however in the pre-BBC days but also failed to get in. But as I did earlier this is me, my blog, my editorial discretion so I'm just going to put it back in.
Jodrell Bank, Cheshire, England, UK
Jodrell Bank was the largest full sky radio telescope of its time. It was the idea of Sir Bernard Lovell**, who was a World War II radar technician. During the war he suspected that blips which came up on his radar were in fact radio waves from space. So when the war was over he started to look into this theory using old Royal Air Force equipment. He believed he was right but needed, somehow, to get stronger signals. So, with the help of a bridge builder, he set about building a telescope which would be able to move to cover any portion of the sky. In 1952, work started on the building of the telescope, which was to sit upon a circular track. The estimated cost was £260,000, the equivalent of about £3 million in 2000, and the life expectancy was 15 years. However, in 1957, with the cost spiralling, the project looked as doomed as the warships from which the structure was being recycled. Schoolchildren even started to contribute their pocket money; the future of space exploration already seeded in their minds.
Cold War Comfort
One very important event led to Jodrell Bank's completion. In October 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the world's first satellite and the only apparatus on Earth capable of tracking it was Lovell's telescope. In 48 hours all the wiring and electrical work, which was still estimated to involve a couple of months work, was speedily completed; and, indeed, Jodrell Bank was up for the task.
Jodrell Bank had begun its history as an important tool in the cold war. It would later prove that Lunnik, the Soviet lunar lander, had reached the Moon and intercept photographs in 1966 from the first camera (again Soviet) to reach the Moon. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, it was also the only instrument on Earth that was then capable of detecting the launch of missiles and was called in to be the early warning system.
The radio receivers at Jodrell's heart are cooled to 10 Kelvins, so as to alleviate unwanted hiss. The original bowl had welded steel panels and this was overlaid in the 1970s with a new layer with independently movable panels, to further enhance the signal. These are now very corroded and in need of total relaying.
The Lovell telescope is owned and operated by the University of Manchester, whose researchers mainly use it in studies of pulsars. From time to time it is also used as part of MERLIN, the UK's national radio astronomy facility, and the EVN, the European VLBI Network which links up radio telescopes all across Europe.
Just tis guy Demon Drawer ya know.
* Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
** In fact, in 1987 the telescope was renamed the Lovell Telescope in his honour.
Jodrell Bank, Cheshire, England, UK
'The huge yellow somethings went unnoticed at Goonhilly, they passed over Cape Canaveral without a blip, Woomer and Jodrell Bank looked straight through them - which was a pity because it was exactly the sort of thing they'd been looking for all these years'*
Jodrell Bank was the largest full sky radio telescope of its time. It was the idea of Sir Bernard Lovell**, who was a World War II radar technician. During the war he suspected that blips which came up on his radar were in fact radio waves from space. So when the war was over he started to look into this theory using old Royal Air Force equipment. He believed he was right but needed, somehow, to get stronger signals. So, with the help of a bridge builder, he set about building a telescope which would be able to move to cover any portion of the sky. In 1952, work started on the building of the telescope, which was to sit upon a circular track. The estimated cost was £260,000, the equivalent of about £3 million in 2000, and the life expectancy was 15 years. However, in 1957, with the cost spiralling, the project looked as doomed as the warships from which the structure was being recycled. Schoolchildren even started to contribute their pocket money; the future of space exploration already seeded in their minds.
Cold War Comfort
One very important event led to Jodrell Bank's completion. In October 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the world's first satellite and the only apparatus on Earth capable of tracking it was Lovell's telescope. In 48 hours all the wiring and electrical work, which was still estimated to involve a couple of months work, was speedily completed; and, indeed, Jodrell Bank was up for the task.
Jodrell Bank had begun its history as an important tool in the cold war. It would later prove that Lunnik, the Soviet lunar lander, had reached the Moon and intercept photographs in 1966 from the first camera (again Soviet) to reach the Moon. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, it was also the only instrument on Earth that was then capable of detecting the launch of missiles and was called in to be the early warning system.
The radio receivers at Jodrell's heart are cooled to 10 Kelvins, so as to alleviate unwanted hiss. The original bowl had welded steel panels and this was overlaid in the 1970s with a new layer with independently movable panels, to further enhance the signal. These are now very corroded and in need of total relaying.
The Lovell telescope is owned and operated by the University of Manchester, whose researchers mainly use it in studies of pulsars. From time to time it is also used as part of MERLIN, the UK's national radio astronomy facility, and the EVN, the European VLBI Network which links up radio telescopes all across Europe.
Just tis guy Demon Drawer ya know.
* Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
** In fact, in 1987 the telescope was renamed the Lovell Telescope in his honour.
Towel Day 2009 DNA Tribute 6
I've already shared the 45 Words that I wrote in honour of the first anniversary of Douglas Adams death and the inaugural Towel Day. When the series reached it's 42 edtion on 10 February 2004 what else could I do but return to the Guide. For the next 6 in the series I focussed on the original radio cast. Here there are all together.
Shropshire born actor, sacked five minutes into first job.
Voice first broadcast in The Card
West End debut during war.
For twenty-five years attempted speaking for Just a Minute without repetition, deviation or hesitation.
Famously narrated as 'The Book' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Cambridge Footlight performer in Douglas Adams' time.
Delighted when told a part written for and about him.
But upset about Arthur's obsesstion with tea.
Appearances in Amadeus, 12 Monkeys, Watership Down.
And is an audio book regular reader.
But forever remembered for 'that' dressing gown.
Versatile actor and writer, for Radio, TV and Film.
Fellow Footlight performer of Simon Jones.
Was only Radio's Ford.
Return to History for Chelmsford 123
Cameos in many British comedies.
Is voice-over that starts Drop the Dead Donkey repeats.
Will reprise Ford in Tertiary Phase.
Classically trained Shakespearean actor.
Numerous Theatre, Radio, TV and film credits.
Douglas Adams confined him to a broom cupboard.
Voiced Marvin and Gag Halfunt.
One of Harry Enfield's Kevin characters' Dads.
Soon playing Ronald Reagan in The American Presidents.
Not just a voice, you know.
From rep and fringe theatre, then hitting the West End.
Has been Pooh's friend Christopher Robin, Peter Pan and an unemployed astrophysicist.
Has worked with Rainbow's Jane in cabaret.
One of Macbeth's witches but also several nice nurses.
Princess Eilonwy's voice in Disney's Black Cauldron.
Bi-dextral uni-cranial acting produce of two thesbians Peter Davey and Anna Wing.
Cambridge educated where he appeared in Footlights.
Big break required extra head and arm.
Mainly theatrical performer, director and teacher.
Has a directing OBIE* for Mad Forest.
Recently directed first folio King Lear.
Just another Demon Drawer production.
*The award for Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway theatre in New York
Towel Day 2009 DNA Tribute 5
As one of the most prolific researhers on H2G2 as well a big fan of the books I did try and get some of the items Douglas Adams mentioned in his writings The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Even cheekily trying to get some Douglas quotes in the piece. They normally got removed on this occasion the reason given was that is was well researched and didn't need to hang on the opening quote.
However this is my house so for the first time since this was published on 29 April 2003 here it is with the original opening.
The History of the Digital Watch
The pretty neat idea of a digital watch lies in the introduction of electricity and the quartz movement into the creation of time pieces in the 1950s and 60s. This is how these innovations led to wrist worn chronometers displaying figures instead of dials.
The Electric Watch
The Hamilton Electric Watch
In 1957, The Hamilton Watch Co of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, produced the world's first electric watch. The Hamilton Electric Watch kept time with a traditional balance-wheel mechanism which had been used in timepieces for hundreds of years and was therefore no more accurate than any other watch. However, instead of the mainspring powering the mechanism, a battery was used to power the mechanism so the need to wind was eliminated.
Although people loved the fact that they no longer had to wind the watch, it would stop when the electric contacts became worn - which happened not long into the watch's lifespan. It was a headache that the Hamilton repair department continually faced until the watch was updated in 1961.
Accutron by Bulova
At around this time, Bulova provided the next big advance in electric timepieces with its Accutron watch in 1960. This came in the form of a U-shaped piece of nickel alloy which vibrated in response to the electric current from the battery. These vibrations were of a higher frequency than the traditional fly wheel, so for the first time electricity transgressed being merely a neat idea that powers watches by also offering greater accuracy. The Accutron also did away with electrical contacts by introducing transistors, giving the watch a longer working life without wearing out. This watch was also closely tied to the US space programme being used on the Mercury and Apollo spacecraft as NASA aimed for the moon.
Refining the Quartz Movement
Swiss Innovation
However, Bulova's success scared the Swiss watchmakers, who saw a potential challenge to their dominance of the best quality timepieces. They grouped together to finance a research lab the CEH (Centre Electronique Horloger). The CEH targeted their search on finding an even more accurate oscillator than the nickel horseshoe.
Quartz movements had first been used in clocks in the 1930s; by the early '60s they were even being used in marine chronometers (though admittedly with unpredictable accuracy). The CEH set about improving the accuracy and by the mid-'60s Longines and Bernard Golay had created a pocket watch that was accurate to within 0.01 seconds a day.
In 1967, the CEH produced the first wristwatch quartz movement. Due to advances in microelectronics, integrated circuitry had advanced to allow much less energy to be used, allowing for miniaturisation so that a quartz movement could fit into a wristwatch. However, the Swiss manufacturers continued to refine their mechanical techniques and soon caught up with Bulova by traditional means. After years of research, the Swiss viewed quartz as a fad that would pass, reckoning erroneously that their mechanical excellence would see them survive as kings of the heap; it was poor judgement that would eventually lead to the demise of some companies.
Japanese Interpretation
While the Europeans were playing one-upmanship with their various techniques, Seiko was simultaneously taking a fresh look at quartz and so it was the Japanese company who unveiled the world's first quartz wristwatch - the 35SQ Astron Watch - in Tokyo on 25 December 1969. It was expensive, costing 450,000 yen ($1,250 at the 1969 exchange rate). It had a plain face, was chunky (unlike the slimline Swiss mechanical watches) and also suffered so many technical difficulties that Seiko ended up recalling it after only producing just 100 watches.
However, although it was an apparent failure, it also marked a new stage in watch technology from which we have never looked back. Quartz technology was the new way forward in the 1970s; many Japanese watchmakers followed Seiko's lead, so too did the Americans, until eventually even the Swiss climbed on board - although not until some other manufacturers had collapsed. This competition led to slimmer, more accurate, less power-hungry watches. Even with the addition of more features as the '70s progressed, the next leap was just around the corner.
The Digital Display
Pulsar and the LED Display
In 1972, Hamilton produced the first watch with a digital display. They had hinted that they had a new breakthrough as early as 1970 but had two years of teething problems before its 18-carat gold Pulsar hit the world at a price of $2,100. By pressing a button on the side, the time was displayed on a red numeric display, caused by a light emitting diode (LED) display. Hamilton had provided a brief glimpse into the future in Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey when the company provided the futuristic digital clock that featured in the film. John Bergey who was head of Hamilton's Pulsar division said that this had inspired his team with the vision for their new timepiece which was then in development.
The LED is created by passing a electric charge through inorganic materials. Seven electronic switches went into making each of the numerals on the display. The original red light was generated by using aluminium gallium arsenide (AlGaAs), however Pulsar later produced a green LED using gallium nitride (GaN).
Many in the industry began to believe that the new quartz analogue watches would even be doomed to extinction so soon after their arrival that it wasn't worth buying into the trend, something which was reflected in the writings of Douglas Adams and other contemporary writers at the end of the 1970s and start of the 1980s.
Before the watch companies could 'do away with' the analogue watch though, they first had to bring down the price of the digital successor. Competition in the digital field increased and by 1975 there were over 80 varieties available. This competition helped to bring prices down but the product was still out of the range of the average consumer.
The Plastic Case
Texas Instruments brought the digital watch to the masses much as Henry Ford had brought the car. In 1975 they produced the first LED watch with a retail price of only $20; the following year this was halved. This level of competition saw Pulsar lose $6 million and find itself sold to competitors twice in the space of a year, eventually becoming a subsidiary of Seiko and reverting to making analogue quartz watches.
The Liquid Crystal Display
Digital watches even in the late 1970s still necessitated two hands - one to wear the watch and the other to press the button to turn on the LED display. The reason for this was that LED used up a high amount of the available power from the small power cell that could be fitted into the casing. The next innovation in digital watches would free up one hand for time keeping in a way not seen since the wristwatch replaced the pocketwatch.
Liquid Crystal Display first became possible in 1972 with the invention of the Twisted Nematic Liquid Crystal Display (TNLCD), following decades of research into liquid crystals at Hull University. It allowed a lower power level to reflect light onto a passive screen. However, this first breakthrough proved impractical due to the lack of photochemically and chemically stable nematic materials in existence in liquid-crystal form at room temperature**. A year later this problem was overcome when scientists discovered that a crystal known as cyano-biphenyl, could be made to change from one form to another near room temperature; these then were used in LCDs. They were first used in calculators in 1972 but the displays were still too big for watches.
However, by 1973 Seiko yet again led the way, this time with the first watch to utilise LCD technology. It had a six figure display. As LCD used less power than LED, the display was permanent, thus allowing for the addition of seconds to the display.
The Swiss finally embraced quartz technology but left the digital field to the Japanese and Americans settling instead to make elegant analogue quartz watches.
The Development of Digital Watches
The 1980s saw further developments in the digital watch. Already they could have stopwatches and date display, but the Japanese were already looking for further utilisation of technology.
It's hard to believe, but as far back as 1982 Seiko produced a wristwatch with a tiny TV screen. In the same year Casio produced one with a thermometer and another which could translate 1,500 Japanese words into English. Technology was coming on leaps and bounds and if it could be miniaturised enough the Japanese were putting it into a digital watch. In 1987, Casio produced a watch that could dial your phone number and Citizen unveiled one that would react to your voice.
The 1990s saw a refinement to solar-powered digital watches. Although some were produced in the 1970s, the new refinements allowed for more efficient use of energy. The meant that they could generate more power for longer periods of time. 1995 saw Timex release a Data link watch which allowed the wearer to download information from a computer to their wrist.
What Next?
Surely it won't be long until we have a mobile phone/watch combination on our wrists. Taking palmtop computers and PDAs one step further and smaller may eventually see these also wearable as a watch. From the first appearance of a digital time displayed on the wrist in 1972, the technology has already advanced a great deal, so who knows where the future will take it. Looking back, it will only be limited by the imaginations of the people who design them as many obstacles have already been overcome and many more will follow.
Sadly I got no green bits of paper for writing the above though I do ahve one of the last ones in mint condition framed, Demon Drawer.
*From the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
**This roughly means that at the time, there was a distinct lack of materials which were able to be changed chemically to produce the required result - a display of some sort.
However this is my house so for the first time since this was published on 29 April 2003 here it is with the original opening.
The History of the Digital Watch
Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the Western Spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun. Orbiting this at a distance of roughly ninety-eight million miles is an utterly insignificant little blue-green planet whose ape-descended life forms are so amazingly primitive that they still think digital watches are a pretty neat idea...*
The pretty neat idea of a digital watch lies in the introduction of electricity and the quartz movement into the creation of time pieces in the 1950s and 60s. This is how these innovations led to wrist worn chronometers displaying figures instead of dials.
The Electric Watch
The Hamilton Electric Watch
In 1957, The Hamilton Watch Co of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, produced the world's first electric watch. The Hamilton Electric Watch kept time with a traditional balance-wheel mechanism which had been used in timepieces for hundreds of years and was therefore no more accurate than any other watch. However, instead of the mainspring powering the mechanism, a battery was used to power the mechanism so the need to wind was eliminated.
Although people loved the fact that they no longer had to wind the watch, it would stop when the electric contacts became worn - which happened not long into the watch's lifespan. It was a headache that the Hamilton repair department continually faced until the watch was updated in 1961.
Accutron by Bulova
At around this time, Bulova provided the next big advance in electric timepieces with its Accutron watch in 1960. This came in the form of a U-shaped piece of nickel alloy which vibrated in response to the electric current from the battery. These vibrations were of a higher frequency than the traditional fly wheel, so for the first time electricity transgressed being merely a neat idea that powers watches by also offering greater accuracy. The Accutron also did away with electrical contacts by introducing transistors, giving the watch a longer working life without wearing out. This watch was also closely tied to the US space programme being used on the Mercury and Apollo spacecraft as NASA aimed for the moon.
Refining the Quartz Movement
Swiss Innovation
However, Bulova's success scared the Swiss watchmakers, who saw a potential challenge to their dominance of the best quality timepieces. They grouped together to finance a research lab the CEH (Centre Electronique Horloger). The CEH targeted their search on finding an even more accurate oscillator than the nickel horseshoe.
Quartz movements had first been used in clocks in the 1930s; by the early '60s they were even being used in marine chronometers (though admittedly with unpredictable accuracy). The CEH set about improving the accuracy and by the mid-'60s Longines and Bernard Golay had created a pocket watch that was accurate to within 0.01 seconds a day.
In 1967, the CEH produced the first wristwatch quartz movement. Due to advances in microelectronics, integrated circuitry had advanced to allow much less energy to be used, allowing for miniaturisation so that a quartz movement could fit into a wristwatch. However, the Swiss manufacturers continued to refine their mechanical techniques and soon caught up with Bulova by traditional means. After years of research, the Swiss viewed quartz as a fad that would pass, reckoning erroneously that their mechanical excellence would see them survive as kings of the heap; it was poor judgement that would eventually lead to the demise of some companies.
Japanese Interpretation
While the Europeans were playing one-upmanship with their various techniques, Seiko was simultaneously taking a fresh look at quartz and so it was the Japanese company who unveiled the world's first quartz wristwatch - the 35SQ Astron Watch - in Tokyo on 25 December 1969. It was expensive, costing 450,000 yen ($1,250 at the 1969 exchange rate). It had a plain face, was chunky (unlike the slimline Swiss mechanical watches) and also suffered so many technical difficulties that Seiko ended up recalling it after only producing just 100 watches.
However, although it was an apparent failure, it also marked a new stage in watch technology from which we have never looked back. Quartz technology was the new way forward in the 1970s; many Japanese watchmakers followed Seiko's lead, so too did the Americans, until eventually even the Swiss climbed on board - although not until some other manufacturers had collapsed. This competition led to slimmer, more accurate, less power-hungry watches. Even with the addition of more features as the '70s progressed, the next leap was just around the corner.
The Digital Display
Pulsar and the LED Display
In 1972, Hamilton produced the first watch with a digital display. They had hinted that they had a new breakthrough as early as 1970 but had two years of teething problems before its 18-carat gold Pulsar hit the world at a price of $2,100. By pressing a button on the side, the time was displayed on a red numeric display, caused by a light emitting diode (LED) display. Hamilton had provided a brief glimpse into the future in Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey when the company provided the futuristic digital clock that featured in the film. John Bergey who was head of Hamilton's Pulsar division said that this had inspired his team with the vision for their new timepiece which was then in development.
The LED is created by passing a electric charge through inorganic materials. Seven electronic switches went into making each of the numerals on the display. The original red light was generated by using aluminium gallium arsenide (AlGaAs), however Pulsar later produced a green LED using gallium nitride (GaN).
Many in the industry began to believe that the new quartz analogue watches would even be doomed to extinction so soon after their arrival that it wasn't worth buying into the trend, something which was reflected in the writings of Douglas Adams and other contemporary writers at the end of the 1970s and start of the 1980s.
Before the watch companies could 'do away with' the analogue watch though, they first had to bring down the price of the digital successor. Competition in the digital field increased and by 1975 there were over 80 varieties available. This competition helped to bring prices down but the product was still out of the range of the average consumer.
The Plastic Case
Texas Instruments brought the digital watch to the masses much as Henry Ford had brought the car. In 1975 they produced the first LED watch with a retail price of only $20; the following year this was halved. This level of competition saw Pulsar lose $6 million and find itself sold to competitors twice in the space of a year, eventually becoming a subsidiary of Seiko and reverting to making analogue quartz watches.
The Liquid Crystal Display
Digital watches even in the late 1970s still necessitated two hands - one to wear the watch and the other to press the button to turn on the LED display. The reason for this was that LED used up a high amount of the available power from the small power cell that could be fitted into the casing. The next innovation in digital watches would free up one hand for time keeping in a way not seen since the wristwatch replaced the pocketwatch.
Liquid Crystal Display first became possible in 1972 with the invention of the Twisted Nematic Liquid Crystal Display (TNLCD), following decades of research into liquid crystals at Hull University. It allowed a lower power level to reflect light onto a passive screen. However, this first breakthrough proved impractical due to the lack of photochemically and chemically stable nematic materials in existence in liquid-crystal form at room temperature**. A year later this problem was overcome when scientists discovered that a crystal known as cyano-biphenyl, could be made to change from one form to another near room temperature; these then were used in LCDs. They were first used in calculators in 1972 but the displays were still too big for watches.
However, by 1973 Seiko yet again led the way, this time with the first watch to utilise LCD technology. It had a six figure display. As LCD used less power than LED, the display was permanent, thus allowing for the addition of seconds to the display.
The Swiss finally embraced quartz technology but left the digital field to the Japanese and Americans settling instead to make elegant analogue quartz watches.
The Development of Digital Watches
The 1980s saw further developments in the digital watch. Already they could have stopwatches and date display, but the Japanese were already looking for further utilisation of technology.
It's hard to believe, but as far back as 1982 Seiko produced a wristwatch with a tiny TV screen. In the same year Casio produced one with a thermometer and another which could translate 1,500 Japanese words into English. Technology was coming on leaps and bounds and if it could be miniaturised enough the Japanese were putting it into a digital watch. In 1987, Casio produced a watch that could dial your phone number and Citizen unveiled one that would react to your voice.
The 1990s saw a refinement to solar-powered digital watches. Although some were produced in the 1970s, the new refinements allowed for more efficient use of energy. The meant that they could generate more power for longer periods of time. 1995 saw Timex release a Data link watch which allowed the wearer to download information from a computer to their wrist.
What Next?
Surely it won't be long until we have a mobile phone/watch combination on our wrists. Taking palmtop computers and PDAs one step further and smaller may eventually see these also wearable as a watch. From the first appearance of a digital time displayed on the wrist in 1972, the technology has already advanced a great deal, so who knows where the future will take it. Looking back, it will only be limited by the imaginations of the people who design them as many obstacles have already been overcome and many more will follow.
Sadly I got no green bits of paper for writing the above though I do ahve one of the last ones in mint condition framed, Demon Drawer.
*From the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
**This roughly means that at the time, there was a distinct lack of materials which were able to be changed chemically to produce the required result - a display of some sort.
Towel Day 2009 DNA Tribute 4
With Towel Day being a tribute to Douglas Adams and therefore of course The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. There are fans no matter how good a job Stephen Fry attempted to do in the film, or William Franklyn did when the final three books of the five book 'triology' was adapted for Radio as the Tertiary, Quandary and Quintessential Phases, there will only truely be one voice of 'The Guide'; Peter Jones. Jones Predeceased Douglas and indeed just before the first birthday of H2G2 in April 2000. This was the early days of the guide and looking at the entry that Demon Drawer AKA wrote I thing like the entry on earth it is due a little expansion. Anyway this has been on the guide since the 9 August 2000.
Peter Jones (1920 - 2000)
'And Peter Jones as the Book', is how the credits always finished for the radio show of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. What a dry voice it was, a voice that you couldn't possible panic to, and on 8 March, 1978, the legendary voice was first heard as 'The Book'.
Peter Jones was born at Wem in Shropshire, England on 12 June, 1920. He left what he'd called 'a tenth-rate public school' to start his career at the age of 16. He got his first acting job at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, but it did not last long. He was sacked after five minutes.
However, undeterred by this early failure, he made his first broadcast in a production of Arnold Bennett's The Card, and so it was that this distinctive voice was first heard by a mass audience. He made his London West End stage debut during the Second World War. His most famous appearance on television was as Mr Fenner, the long-suffering factory boss in The Rag Trade which had an audience of 14 million in the 1960s.
Peter Jones will always be remembered for his radio performances. For over 25 years, he was part of the golden quartet on Just a Minute, his dry wit and distinctive manner of speech ensuring a permanent spot on the team. He also appeared as the quizmaster on Twenty Questions. However, as the voice of 'The Book' in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, that which made sure that we never 'panicked', is how Peter Jones is best remembered. He died aged 79 on 10 April, 2000, after a short illness.
So long oh voice of the Book Demon Drawer
Peter Jones (1920 - 2000)
'And Peter Jones as the Book', is how the credits always finished for the radio show of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. What a dry voice it was, a voice that you couldn't possible panic to, and on 8 March, 1978, the legendary voice was first heard as 'The Book'.
Peter Jones was born at Wem in Shropshire, England on 12 June, 1920. He left what he'd called 'a tenth-rate public school' to start his career at the age of 16. He got his first acting job at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, but it did not last long. He was sacked after five minutes.
However, undeterred by this early failure, he made his first broadcast in a production of Arnold Bennett's The Card, and so it was that this distinctive voice was first heard by a mass audience. He made his London West End stage debut during the Second World War. His most famous appearance on television was as Mr Fenner, the long-suffering factory boss in The Rag Trade which had an audience of 14 million in the 1960s.
Peter Jones will always be remembered for his radio performances. For over 25 years, he was part of the golden quartet on Just a Minute, his dry wit and distinctive manner of speech ensuring a permanent spot on the team. He also appeared as the quizmaster on Twenty Questions. However, as the voice of 'The Book' in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, that which made sure that we never 'panicked', is how Peter Jones is best remembered. He died aged 79 on 10 April, 2000, after a short illness.
So long oh voice of the Book Demon Drawer
Towel Day 2009 DNA Tibute 3
As Towel Day celebrates Douglas Adams and as I as Demon Drawer wrote for his earth bound guide H2G2 it is sad that Douglas himself researcher number 42 only has one edited entry in the guide. Arthur Dent fans will be pleased to know that the subject of that entry is tea. Therefore being such a prollific contributer I wanted to be able to interlink to the great man's only entry. This piece which was an edited entry in 19 February 2003 is not on my favourite tea Earl Grey as I'd been beaten to it but this is what I wrote about Lapsang Soushong Tea.
Lapsang Souchong tea has a smoky flavour and originates from the Fujian province of China. The flavour arises from the withering of the tea leaves over cypress or pine wood fires after being plucked and rolled. Next they are placed in wooden barrels until their pleasant aroma starts to come through. Finally, the leaves are placed in bamboo baskets and hung on racks over smoky pine fires where they dry, soaking up some essence which gives the leaves their distinct taste. The finished tea leaves are thick and black.
The best Lapsang is produced in a nature preserve located in the Wuyi mountains. The high mountains are covered in thick pine forests and are shrouded in a heavy mist which helps provide the ideal environment for growing top quality tea.
Legendary Tea
As with so many things Chinese, there is legend surrounding the origins. In the case of Lapsang Souchong, the legend claims that the smoking process was discovered entirely by accident. During the Qing dynasty, an army unit was apparently passing through Xingcun (Star Village) in which they set up camp in a tea factory filled with fresh leaves which were awaiting processing. After the soldiers had left and the workers could get back into the factory, they realised that there was no time to dry the leaves in the usual way if they were to get the tea to the market in time. So they lit open fires of pine wood to hasten the drying. Not only did the tea reach the market in time, but the smoked pine flavour created a sensation, not least when this rich blend was finally imported into Western Europe.
Drinking a Cup of Lapsang Souchong
When brewed in hot water the black leaves produce a bright reddish-orange cup of tea. It has a very strong flavour and therefore appeals to those looking for a bold cup of tea*; the difference in strength between Lapsang Souchong and normal tea bags is comparable to the difference between a house white wine and a fine rich port.
Lapsang Souchong has had a recent resurgence in popularity and is available in most major supermarkets. It is often the favourite tea of those who also appreciate the subtle yet powerful flavours of single-malt Scotch whisky and fine cigars, the strong flavour being somewhat akin and complimentary to the depth and strength of these luxuriant items. Once upon a time it was almost exclusively a man's tea but more and more women are drinking it as well.
As it does have a strong taste you will probably want to drink it with milk (adding just lemon is pointless as the lemon would only get drowned in the tea's natural aroma). And unless you are a chain cigar-smoking whisky drinker whose tastebuds are neutered by years of abuse you probably won't be able to face it black.
Accompaniments
Lapsang Souchong combines well with spicy or salty dishes and also with a mixed cheese board. It is a wonderful drink for outdoors, especially after intense activity or during a long hike, as it invigorates. You can also experiment by adding a pinch of Lapsang Souchong to milder blends if you a prefer a slightly stronger tea without the risk of stewing** your brew.
Yours Hoopily Demon Drawer
* Therefore, if you are just looking for a nice cup to serve to the elderly relatives it is probably best to avoid this variety.
** 'Stewed' tea is that which has been infusing too long.
Lapsang Souchong tea has a smoky flavour and originates from the Fujian province of China. The flavour arises from the withering of the tea leaves over cypress or pine wood fires after being plucked and rolled. Next they are placed in wooden barrels until their pleasant aroma starts to come through. Finally, the leaves are placed in bamboo baskets and hung on racks over smoky pine fires where they dry, soaking up some essence which gives the leaves their distinct taste. The finished tea leaves are thick and black.
The best Lapsang is produced in a nature preserve located in the Wuyi mountains. The high mountains are covered in thick pine forests and are shrouded in a heavy mist which helps provide the ideal environment for growing top quality tea.
Legendary Tea
As with so many things Chinese, there is legend surrounding the origins. In the case of Lapsang Souchong, the legend claims that the smoking process was discovered entirely by accident. During the Qing dynasty, an army unit was apparently passing through Xingcun (Star Village) in which they set up camp in a tea factory filled with fresh leaves which were awaiting processing. After the soldiers had left and the workers could get back into the factory, they realised that there was no time to dry the leaves in the usual way if they were to get the tea to the market in time. So they lit open fires of pine wood to hasten the drying. Not only did the tea reach the market in time, but the smoked pine flavour created a sensation, not least when this rich blend was finally imported into Western Europe.
Drinking a Cup of Lapsang Souchong
When brewed in hot water the black leaves produce a bright reddish-orange cup of tea. It has a very strong flavour and therefore appeals to those looking for a bold cup of tea*; the difference in strength between Lapsang Souchong and normal tea bags is comparable to the difference between a house white wine and a fine rich port.
Lapsang Souchong has had a recent resurgence in popularity and is available in most major supermarkets. It is often the favourite tea of those who also appreciate the subtle yet powerful flavours of single-malt Scotch whisky and fine cigars, the strong flavour being somewhat akin and complimentary to the depth and strength of these luxuriant items. Once upon a time it was almost exclusively a man's tea but more and more women are drinking it as well.
As it does have a strong taste you will probably want to drink it with milk (adding just lemon is pointless as the lemon would only get drowned in the tea's natural aroma). And unless you are a chain cigar-smoking whisky drinker whose tastebuds are neutered by years of abuse you probably won't be able to face it black.
Accompaniments
Lapsang Souchong combines well with spicy or salty dishes and also with a mixed cheese board. It is a wonderful drink for outdoors, especially after intense activity or during a long hike, as it invigorates. You can also experiment by adding a pinch of Lapsang Souchong to milder blends if you a prefer a slightly stronger tea without the risk of stewing** your brew.
Yours Hoopily Demon Drawer
* Therefore, if you are just looking for a nice cup to serve to the elderly relatives it is probably best to avoid this variety.
** 'Stewed' tea is that which has been infusing too long.
Towel Day 2009 DNA Tribute 2
As I wrote an hour ago today is the day that Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy fans pay tribute to the late writer Douglas Adams. On the BBC's H2G2 site there is a weekly, now fortnightly newspaper called The Post. One of the Guide's most prolific researchers Demon Drawer was also one of the Post's most prolific contributers. One of his post popular columns was a series called 45 words.
In the 10oth edition of the post someone worked out that the average number of words per researcher in the edited guide was 45. Demon Drawer decided that would be a challenge to write exactly that amount of words on a particular subject
As Demon Drawer is AKA the host of this blog on this the 10th Annivesary of H2G2 and the 7th Commemoration of Towel day here is the 45 Words that marked the first anniversary of the lose of the figure head and creator. The original is here as originally published on 9 May 2002.
Sadly, this weekend marks the first anniversary of the death of Douglas Noel Adams. What more can be said?
DNA, 1952 - 2001
Author, tv, radio writer.
In the 10oth edition of the post someone worked out that the average number of words per researcher in the edited guide was 45. Demon Drawer decided that would be a challenge to write exactly that amount of words on a particular subject
As Demon Drawer is AKA the host of this blog on this the 10th Annivesary of H2G2 and the 7th Commemoration of Towel day here is the 45 Words that marked the first anniversary of the lose of the figure head and creator. The original is here as originally published on 9 May 2002.
Sadly, this weekend marks the first anniversary of the death of Douglas Noel Adams. What more can be said?
DNA, 1952 - 2001
Author, tv, radio writer.
Partaker in long bathtimes.
Famous over-runner of deadlines.
Creator of h2g2 in all forms.
Dirk Gently.
Ecologist worried about our Last Chance to See.
Devoted husband and father.
Sadly missed by devoted fans.
Envisioned and oversaw the creation of this guide.
Signing off as some may know me as Demon Drawer.
Towel Day 2009 DNA Tribute 1
On 11 May 2001 the world lost Douglas Noel Adams the writer of The Hitchikers Guide to Galaxy, on the following year on the nearest Saturday and every year since the Scottish Researchers Group of H2G2 have net in Douglas' honour. H2G2 itself turned 10 in the 28th April.
The site was a precurser of Wikipedia and was Douglas' vision to become a living embodiment of the electronic guide of his magnus opus through users contributions. Several writers have contributed over 100 items which are entirely their own work the first two were an Nothern Irish researcher called Demon Drawer and an Pennslyvanian called Jimi X*, the former will also be known to you as the writer of this blog. As I am off celebrating Towel Day today after I attend the Linlithgow Street Fair I will not be blogging any original content. But I will be posting some of Demon Drawer's contributions honouring Douglas and his work at 42 minutes past the hour from now until.
First some poetry:
*Neither of these are their real names but thier H2G2 nomme de plumes.
The site was a precurser of Wikipedia and was Douglas' vision to become a living embodiment of the electronic guide of his magnus opus through users contributions. Several writers have contributed over 100 items which are entirely their own work the first two were an Nothern Irish researcher called Demon Drawer and an Pennslyvanian called Jimi X*, the former will also be known to you as the writer of this blog. As I am off celebrating Towel Day today after I attend the Linlithgow Street Fair I will not be blogging any original content. But I will be posting some of Demon Drawer's contributions honouring Douglas and his work at 42 minutes past the hour from now until.
First some poetry:
Final Moment - Douglas Adams, Santa Barbara, Ca. 11 May, 2001
'Life! Don't talk to me about life'
As now I fear it may be passing me by.
Finally I'm in Hollywood, their going to make my film,
Why now is life slipping from me, why?
Who is going to give words for Arthur Dent to say?
No one else can bring my opus to the screen!
If only I'd met dealines there would at least be words,
But if it;s not completed fans will scream.
Oh no. What is that pain down my left hand side?
Is that what that paranoid android of mine felt?
Only I do not have and diodes, and I have work to do
I don't Ford Prefect but Clark Kent.
Life, the Universe and Everything are slipping away.
What am I supposred to say or do?
If there is an answer to all this
It had beter not turn out to be forty two.
Stephen Glenn 16 May 2001
AKA Demon Drawer
*Neither of these are their real names but thier H2G2 nomme de plumes.
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