A Fresh Take on the Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza stand as the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and represent Egypt's most iconic monument. This site includes the Great Pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, alongside the Great Sphinx of Giza. Visitors often find themselves surprised to discover that these ancient structures are not as isolated as they might have imagined.

Contrary to the typical imagery that suggests the pyramids are situated deep in a barren desert, the reality is quite different. The city of Giza encircles the pyramids to the north, east, and west, with only the southern side leading into the desert. Notably, the Great Pyramid and the Great Sphinx are located less than 200 meters (just over 200 yards) from the bustling outskirts of Giza, and just beyond that lies Cairo.

For thousands of years, Giza's residents have lived near these monumental structures, yet most photographs obscure the city and create an illusion of remoteness. Nevertheless, the pyramids remain awe-inspiring. Originally, the Great Pyramid soared to a height of 481 feet (146.7 meters), but due to erosion from sandstorms, it now stands at 455 feet (138.8 meters). It held the title of the tallest man-made structure for over three millennia.

Below are alternative perspectives of the pyramids as seen from the city.

Many people are unaware that each night, the Egyptian government hosts a two-hour laser light show at the Great Pyramids of Giza, illuminating them in vibrant colors as a voice narrates stories of ancient Egypt.

A Vital Indicator

Among the most critical features for the safe operation of a fully loaded cargo ship is a simple line known as the Plimsoll line. This mark on a ship's hull signifies the maximum permissible depth when carrying cargo.

The maximum draft of a vessel is influenced by factors such as cargo type, ship dimensions, the density of the surrounding water, and seasonal variations. A vessel is deemed properly loaded when the waterline aligns with the Plimsoll line. The symbol, marked by a circle and a line, indicates even loading, while the letters flanking it denote the authority that surveyed the load line.

There are also specific markings for freshwater and seawater, reflecting their differing densities. Freshwater, being less dense, allows a ship to float deeper compared to seawater. The abbreviations include TF for Tropical Fresh Water, T for Tropical, F for Fresh Water, S for Summer, W for Winter, and WNA for Winter North Atlantic.

Formally recognized as the International load line, each ship typically possesses its unique Plimsoll line. This indicator is crucial, as excessive loading can destabilize a vessel—a primary reason for its initial implementation.

Named after British MP Samuel Plimsoll, who advocated for the Merchant Shipping Act of 1876, the line was introduced to combat the dangers posed by overloaded ships. Plimsoll was particularly concerned about the loss of life among sailors due to this issue, having found that nearly 1,000 British sailors perished from overloading.

Thanks to Plimsoll’s reforms, it became mandatory for all cargo vessels to display a load line on their hulls. The International load line was enacted in 54 countries by 1930, revised in 1966, and remains a requirement for all ships.

Nuclear-Powered Pacemakers

Pacemakers are devices designed to treat certain heart arrhythmias by delivering electrical impulses to maintain a regular heart rhythm. Today's pacemakers commonly rely on lithium-iodine batteries that last around ten years. However, during the early 1970s, some pacemakers utilized nuclear power, and some patients still possess these devices.

The inaugural pacemaker was implanted in a 40-year-old individual in Sweden in 1958, powered by a rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery, which unfortunately failed within hours. A subsequent version lasted about six weeks. The 1960s saw the introduction of zinc-mercury batteries with a lifespan exceeding two years, but a more durable power source was needed. This led to the development of a nuclear generator that could power the pacemaker for a patient’s lifetime.

These nuclear pacemakers contained a small amount of plutonium-238, generating heat that a thermopile converted into electric current to indefinitely power the device. Initial testing occurred with a dog named Brunhilde, who received a nuclear pacemaker in 1969, paving the way for human trials.

Research from France indicated no significant increase in radiation exposure from the plutonium-238 for both the recipient and the public. At the time, the pacemakers were reliable for at least ten years without intervention, with some functioning for up to 30 years. Their circuitry was less complex than that of other contemporary models. The radiation emitted by plutonium-238 was less than that of a single dental X-ray, and the pacemaker’s casing effectively contained this radiation.

However, the era of nuclear pacemakers was short-lived. By 1972, lithium-iodine battery-powered pacemakers emerged, offering eight to ten years of operation with more advanced circuitry. Patients gained access to technologically superior pacemakers as they evolved, and these did not carry the stigma associated with nuclear power.

Nuclear pacemakers were marked with the terms “Nuclear” or “Curies,” or bore radiation symbols. While several manufacturers produced them, they became obsolete by the 1980s with the rise of lithium-iodine models.

Annually, about 600,000 pacemakers are implanted worldwide, with over 3 million individuals currently possessing one. Modern pacemakers utilize half their power to stimulate the heart and the remainder for data logging and monitoring. The number of individuals still using nuclear pacemakers is uncertain, which can complicate matters since these devices often outlast their patients, leading to disposal challenges due to regulatory concerns.

A notable incident occurred when Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia closed in 2019. A review revealed that a patient had received a plutonium-238 pacemaker there in 1975, which had ceased functioning while the plutonium remained active. The responsible doctor had left the hospital, and the manufacturer was defunct. Consequently, the hospital incurred $15,000 in costs over six months to comply with regulations set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The Unplanned First Encounter of Hall & Oates

In an interview, Daryl Hall and John Oates recounted their unexpected first meeting during a perilous incident.

At the age of 17, Daryl Hall performed with a group called the Temptones in Philadelphia. In 1967, they were slated to perform at the Adelphi Ballroom, alongside other R&B groups, including the Masters, which featured John Oates.

Just before Hall's group was due to take the stage, a violent altercation erupted between rival high school fraternities, or as Hall described them, “gangs with Greek letters.” Armed with chains and knives, the situation escalated to gunfire. Hall, situated on an upper floor, quickly entered an elevator that descended to street level. John Oates was already inside when Hall arrived. During their ride down, Hall remarked to Oates, “Oh, well, you didn’t get to go on, either. How ya doin’? You go to Temple University. I go to Temple University. See you later, bye.”

The two later reunited at Temple University, where Hall pursued music and Oates studied journalism. They forged a friendship over their shared musical interests, eventually moving in together but not beginning to collaborate musically until 1971.

Their debut album was released in 1974, followed by 18 studio albums and numerous Top 10 hits, including “Your Kiss Is On My List,” “Maneater,” “I Can’t Go For That,” and “She’s Gone.”

A Bridge That Led to Nowhere

In October 1998, Honduras faced the devastation of Hurricane Mitch, a category 5 storm that transformed the Choluteca River into a torrent, sweeping away homes and obliterating nearly a mile of roads leading to the Choluteca Bridge. Consequently, the bridge became isolated with no water flowing beneath it.

The hurricane altered the Choluteca River's course, leaving the bridge situated over dry land without access to the new river channel. Japanese engineers, assessing the aftermath, noted that while the bridge sustained minor damage, it was rendered unusable due to the lack of connections to either side of the river. Residents were forced to rely on an older one-lane bridge constructed by the United States in 1937.

Dubbed “the Bridge to Nowhere,” the bridge was eventually reconnected to the surrounding roads in 2003.

Receiving Mail...On a CD

During the 1990s, America Online (AOL) launched an aggressive marketing strategy, mailing 3.5-inch floppy disks containing installation software for its service. This approach later transitioned to compact discs (CDs). Although this campaign incurred substantial production and shipping costs, many recipients felt inundated by the offers, yet it successfully attracted numerous new AOL users.

At one point, AOL distributed so many CDs that they accounted for 50 percent of all CDs produced globally. From 1993 to 2006, it is estimated that AOL sent out one billion CDs containing trial software. These were mailed directly and made available at retail locations, where AOL paid businesses to showcase them. This marketing initiative proved effective, resulting in new subscriber sign-ups at a rate of one every six seconds for a period. Company executives estimated that the total expense for distributing these CDs exceeded $300 million.

AOL's marketing strategy aimed to allocate 10 percent of its lifetime revenue to acquire each new subscriber. With an average subscriber lifespan of around 25 months, generating approximately $350 in revenue and costing about $35 for acquisition, the strategy was financially sound. When AOL became publicly traded in 1992, it had fewer than 200,000 subscribers, but by 2002, that number surged to approximately 25 million. Verizon acquired AOL for $4 billion in 2015.

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