Sweet Space Station Animation

How the International Space Station was constructed in orbit.

Forty Years of Foam Fun

Ah, Nerf. So many fond childhood memories of mine involve squishy footballs thrown around a swimming pool or small yellow orbs of foam propelled at people's heads. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Nerf brand. Until the juvenile energetic staff at PC World posted this video of themselves trying out the goody-box sent by Nerf, I had no idea it was that old. Hope Nerf doesn't enter a midlife crisis. Although, judging by some of the current product offerings, you might argue that it has. I prefer to think of it more in terms of "product innovation".





Nerf circa 1969 (Wikipedia)









Nerf circa 2009 (Hasbro)

If I had one of those belt-fed behemoths in my pillow fort nobody would ever capture my flag. That is, of course, until Nerf develops the N-Bomb, which will unleash massive amounts of atom-sized foam balls annihilating everything within a square mile.

By the way, did you know that Nerf is really an acronym? Watch the PC World video to find out what it is, if you don't already know.

A Giant Leap...

It is hard to believe. Forty years ago today man walked on a solitary orb of rock called the Moon. It's hard to believe that three men traversed the chilly vacuum of space to land on a celestial body. It's hard to believe that what was only a dream was achieved in less than 10 years of dedicated effort. In our current times of economic turmoil, when scions of industry and technological change like General Motors can barely produce cars people want and airlines are cutting services, that we as a nation, as a united people, as a human race could join minds to invent and build countless technologies and tools to safely carry people to and from the Moon.

I note this to both highlight how exceptional an achievement the Apollo 11 mission was and to send out a message of encouragement. We can accomplish great things, overcome insurmountable obstacles, and change the way we think about the universe if we devote our time and resources to it. And, if we push the doubters, naysayers, and red-tape dispensers out of the way. Innovation and progress do not result from overseers, lawyers, judges, administrators, or politicians but from risk-takers, hard workers, and all-around bright and dedicated people. While our national leaders can set an agenda, it is for us - the everyday people - to make dreams become reality to the betterment of all mankind. We went to the Moon because we chose to. Not even the sky is the limit to our success when we choose to.