Weather/Fog ~ Picture of the Day ~ Microphone Information ~ Simple Spinach Souffle ~ Steve Geon ~ National Take a Hike Day

  

Good 43º super foggy morning. 

 

 

Yesterday the fog in the morning was awful....

Later the fog left and we had sunshine.............. we topped at 60º. Then the clouds moved ................

 

 

Picture of the Day....architecture failure😮

 

 

Interesting about microphone........

 

 

A microphone, colloquially called a mic (/maɪk/), is a transducer that converts sound into an electrical signal. Microphones are used in many applications such as telephones, hearing aids, public address systems for concert halls and public events, motion picture production, live and recorded audio engineering, sound recording, two-way radios, megaphones, and radio and television broadcasting. They are also used in computers for recording voice, speech recognition, VoIP, and for other purposes such as ultrasonic sensors or knock sensors.

 

Several types of microphone are used today, which employ different methods to convert the air pressure variations of a sound wave to an electrical signal. The most common are the dynamic microphone, which uses a coil of wire suspended in a magnetic field; the condenser microphone, which uses the vibrating diaphragm as a capacitor plate; and the contact microphone, which uses a crystal of piezoelectric material. Microphones typically need to be connected to a preamplifier before the signal can be recorded or reproduced.

 

History

In order to speak to larger groups of people, a need arose to increase the volume of the human voice. The earliest devices used to achieve this were acoustic megaphones. Some of the first examples, from fifth-century-BC Greece, were theater masks with horn-shaped mouth openings that acoustically amplified the voice of actors in amphitheaters. In 1665, the English physicist Robert Hooke was the first to experiment with a medium other than air with the invention of the "lovers' telephone" made of stretched wire with a cup attached at each end.

 

In 1856, Italian inventor Antonio Meucci developed a dynamic microphone based on the generation of electric current by moving a coil of wire to various depths in a magnetic field. This method of modulation was also the most enduring method for the technology of the telephone as well. Speaking of his device, Meucci wrote in 1857, "It consists of a vibrating diaphragm and an electrified magnet with a spiral wire that wraps around it. The vibrating diaphragm alters the current of the magnet. These alterations of current, transmitted to the other end of the wire, create analogous vibrations of the receiving diaphragm and reproduce the word."

 

In 1861, German inventor Johann Philipp Reis built an early sound transmitter (the "Reis telephone") that used a metallic strip attached to a vibrating membrane that would produce intermittent current. Better results were achieved in 1876 with the "liquid transmitter" design in early telephones from Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray – the diaphragm was attached to a conductive rod in an acid solution. These systems, however, gave a very poor sound quality.

 

The first microphone that enabled proper voice telephony was the (loose-contact) carbon microphone. This was independently developed by David Edward Hughes in England and Emile Berliner and Thomas Edison in the US. Although Edison was awarded the first patent (after a long legal dispute) in mid-1877, Hughes had demonstrated his working device in front of many witnesses some years earlier, and most historians credit him with its invention. The Berliner microphone found commercial success through the use by Alexander Graham Bell for his telephone and Berliner became employed by Bell. The carbon microphone was critical in the development of telephony, broadcasting and the recording industries. Thomas Edison refined the carbon microphone into his carbon-button transmitter of 1886. This microphone was employed at the first radio broadcast ever, a performance at the New York Metropolitan Opera House in 1910.

 

In 1916, E.C. Wente of Western Electric developed the next breakthrough with the first condenser microphone. In 1923, the first practical moving coil microphone was built. The Marconi-Sykes magnetophone, developed by Captain H. J. Round, became the standard for BBC studios in London. This was improved in 1930 by Alan Blumlein and Herbert Holman who released the HB1A and was the best standard of the day.

 

Also in 1923, the ribbon microphone was introduced, another electromagnetic type, believed to have been developed by Harry F. Olson, who applied the concept used in a ribbon speaker to making a microphone. Over the years these microphones were developed by several companies, most notably RCA that made large advancements in pattern control, to give the microphone directionality. With television and film technology booming there was a demand for high-fidelity microphones and greater directionality. Electro-Voice responded with their Academy Award-winning shotgun microphone in 1963.

 

^{If you want to read a lot more, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphone#History}

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

If the word souffle conjures up images of chefs preparing complicated dishes you would never attempt; think again. Our Really Simple Spinach Souffle will make you a homemade hero, using readily available market shortcuts and no special skills.

 

• 1 cup (1/2 pint) heavy cream
• 3 eggs
• 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

 

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
    
2. In a medium bowl, beat heavy cream and eggs 2 to 3 minutes, or until foamy. Add remaining ingredients; mix well and pour into baking dish.
    
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cut into squares and serve.

 

 

Special birthday today, Steve Geon (LAPD ret and Wilsonite) is celebrating. HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE!!

 

 

 

^

We were on the school's annual staff. Here is the whole staff, front row right is me..... back row 4th from left is Steve

 

 

Historically this date..........

1947 – The U.S. Screen Actors Guild implements an anti-Communist loyalty oath.

1970 – Douglas Engelbart receives the patent for the first computer mouse.

 

 

2004 – Kmart Corp. announces that it is buying Sears, Roebuck and Co. for $11 billion USD and naming the newly merged company Sears Holdings Corporation.

 

And births this date include...

1925 – Rock Hudson, American actor (d. 1985)

Click on his name and read about his "personal life"...

  

1942 – Martin Scorsese, American film director

5 wives!!!

  

1943 – Lauren Hutton, American actress

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Friday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

National Take a Hike Day on November 17th encourages us to get out there and hit the trails. With over 60,000 miles of trails in the National Trail System across the 50 states, there is no lack of opportunity to take a hike.  

Some of those trails are hundreds of years old. For example, the oldest continuously used trail in the United States is Crawford Path in New Hampshire. The beginnings of the mountain path were cleared to the summit of Mt. Washington in 1819. Other trails allow us to follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark or explore even more ancient history like Effigy Mounds National Monument.

Besides experiencing majestic views and the great outdoors, we also exercise our bodies. Hiking not only gets our hearts pumping and our muscles moving, but being outdoors is good for our minds. Many of us spend too much time indoors behind a desk. Hiking can burn between 400-550 calories per hour. What better way to get a head start on all those ‘other’ holiday temptations and observe Take a Hike Day?

Events around the country celebrate Take a Hike Day. Local, state, and National Parks support hiking events encouraging us to enjoy a hike. Be sure to wear good shoes, take a snack and bring a buddy, but get out there and enjoy the fresh air, scenery and get a little exercise to boot!

HOW TO OBSERVE

Invite a friend and take a nice hike.

 

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Pigs ~ Pumpkin Dinner Rolls ~ Ellen (Naugle) Pantalone ~ National Fast Food Day

  

Good 45º foggy morning. 

 

 

Yesterday we topped at 65º.

 

 

Picture of the Day...how would you like to drive this?? 🐷

 

 

Interesting about pigs............

 

The pig (Sus domesticus), often called swine ( pl. : swine), hog, or domestic pig when distinguishing from other members of the genus Sus, is an omnivorous, domesticated, even-toed, hoofed mammal. It is variously considered a subspecies of Sus scrofa (the wild boar or Eurasian boar) or a distinct species. The pig's head-plus-body length ranges from 3 to 6 ft, and adult pigs typically weigh between 110 and 770 lb, with well-fed individuals even exceeding this range. The size and weight of hogs largely depends on their breed. Compared to other artiodactyls, a pig's head is relatively long and pointed. Most even-toed ungulates are herbivorous, but pigs are omnivores, like their wild relative. Pigs grunt and make snorting sounds.

 

When used as livestock, pigs are farmed primarily for the production of meat, called pork. A group of pigs is called a passel, a team, or a sounder. The animal's bones, hide, and bristles are also used in products. Pigs, especially miniature breeds, are kept as pets.

 

The pig typically has a large head, with a long snout which is strengthened by a special prenasal bone and a disk of cartilage at the tip. The snout is used to dig into the soil to find food and is a very acute sense organ. The dental formula of adult pigs is 3.1.4.33.1.4.3, giving a total of 44 teeth. The rear teeth are adapted for crushing. In the male, the canine teeth can form tusks, which grow continuously and are sharpened by constantly being ground against each other.

 

Four hoofed toes are on each foot, with the two larger central toes bearing most of the weight, but the outer two also being used in soft ground.

 

^{Pigs have small lungs in relation to their body size, and are thus more susceptible than other domesticated animals to fatal bronchitis and pneumonia. Pigs have a maximum life span of about 27 years.}

 

History

Archaeological evidence suggests that pigs were domesticated from wild boar in the Near East in the Tigris Basin, Çayönü, Cafer Höyük, Nevalı Çori being managed in the wild in a way similar to the way they are managed by some modern New Guineans. Remains of pigs have been dated to earlier than 11,400 years ago in Cyprus. Those animals must have been introduced from the mainland, which suggests domestication in the adjacent mainland by then. Pigs were separately domesticated in China beginning 8,000 years ago, and have been one of the most important domesticated animals there ever since.

 

^{If you want to read a whole lot more, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig}

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

 

These Pumpkin Dinner Rolls are too cute to pass up! And the best part is, they're super simple to make - anyone can do it! These are a great choice for a holiday dinner spread or anytime you want to add a little fall fun to your meal. Just don't forget to set them out with the homemade pumpkin spice butter, since the butter really adds an extra-special taste to these.

 

• 24 frozen Parker House rolls, thawed, but still cold (see Note)
• 12 pretzel sticks, cut in half
•  
• PUMPKIN SPICE BUTTER
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

 

1. Coat baking sheets with cooking spray. Shape each roll into a ball and place on baking sheet; flatten slightly.
2. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, make 6 to 8 equally distanced cuts about 1/2-inch deep around roll. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke a hole in center of each roll. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise 1 hour or until doubled in side. Remove plastic wrap and press pretzel piece into center of each roll.
3. Preheat oven to 375º. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown.
4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine Pumpkin Spice Butter ingredients; mix well. Serve rolls warm with Pumpkin Spice Butter.

 

***Make sure to use dough rolls for this recipe, not prebaked rolls.

 

 

Special birthday today... Ellen (Naugle) Pantalone, former neighbor on Stockbridge Avenue and Wilsonite is celebrating. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLEN!!

 

 

Historically this date..........

1914 – The Federal Reserve Bank of the United States officially opens.

 

1973 – U.S. President Richard Nixon signs the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act into law, authorizing the construction of the Alaska Pipeline.

 

 

And births this date include....

1907 – Burgess Meredith, American actor (d. 1997)

 

1928 – Clu Gulager, American actor (d.2022)

 

 

1950 – David Leisure, American actor

 

 

1958 – Marg Helgenberger, American actress

 

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Thursday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

On November 16th food lovers get a dose of their favorite convenience food on National Fast Food Day. Whether they use the drive-thru, dine-in or get it to go, fast food will grill up, fry up and broil up menu staples.

 

First popularized in the United States in the 1950s, fast food is considered any meal with low preparation time and served to a customer in a packaged form. The meal makes for quick dine-in, take-out or take-away. Most fast-food restaurants offer drive-thru service.

Merriam-Webster dictionary first recognized the term “fast food” in 1951.

Following World War I, automobiles became popular and more affordable. At that time, restaurants introduced the drive-in.

Much like today’s food trucks, Walter Anderson first began selling hamburgers out of an old streetcar body at a Wichita intersection. While the menu was limited, the hamburgers were a crowd-pleaser. When the popularity of his hamburgers grew, he partnered with E.W. Ingram and opened the first White Castle in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas. The enterprising restauranteurs were the first in the fast-food business. They sold hamburgers for five cents each.

The United States has the largest fast food industry in the world.  American fast-food restaurants are located in over 100 countries.Fun fact: The first Happy Meal was served in June of 1979.

While fast-food began as sandwiches and sides, the menus expanded over-time. Today fast-food includes fish, a variety of fried chicken, tacos, pizza and a wide selection of sides. Sodas quench the thirst and desserts sweeten the menu. From ice cream and shakes to pies and cakes, fast food delivers.

As times changed, restaurants added breakfast items to the menu, too. Expanding their hours increased their workforce and their menu options, as well. However, not all fast-food chains offer breakfast.