The driving force of British motorsport

The driving force of British motorsport

A wide-ranging article from the B.B.C. which serves as a nice reminder that Britain is still a world-leader in the field of motorsport, having been one of the founders of the sport. If you ever get the chance to visit the old Brooklands track (and this coming weekend's Double Twelve would be the perfect opportunity) I urge you to do so, for it is drenched in history and full of pioneering automobiles and racing memorabilia; well worth the trip.

Britain has a strong presence in every form of motorsport around the world. Not least in Formula 1, where we have produced the two most recent World Champions and have - as the article mentions - ¾ of all current F1 teams based in this country including some of the top runners. We even have competitive drivers in the likes of the American IndyCar formula.

Once again we see the British flair for engineering and innovation put to good use in an industry that is continually advancing and coming up with new ideas and inventions that will one day find their way on to the cars that the general public can buy. It is heartening to see that, even in these times of economic and supposedly environmental crises, the motorsport industry is riding out a rough patch, looking ahead and going from strength to strength.

Work starts in £15m plan to get Concorde flying

Work starts in £15m plan to get Concorde flying

One of the greatest Anglo-French engineering projects ever built, the Concorde deserves a place in aviation history and could rightly be argued to have died before its time. Certainly that is the feeling of those involved in trying to get an Air France example airworthy again in time for the 2012 Olympics. I wish them the very best of luck; hopefully as the aircraft in question is, I believe, one of the last to be taken out of service and still in comparatively good condition this should not be impossible. The least we can do for this astonishing aeroplane is to have one flying, albeit in a heritage capacity, so that future generations can enjoy seeing this beautiful machine where it belongs - in the air.

I have been lucky enough to see the Concorde airborne twice before it was retired and both times have been magical, memorable experiences. There are very few machines that can match the majesty and otherworldliness of Concorde and I consider it to be one of the greatest technical achievements Britain, or indeed the world, has ever seen. I hope to be able to see her flying a third time, and many more besides, from 2012 onwards.

Adventurer crosses English Channel using helium balloons

Adventurer crosses English Channel using helium balloons

This is just the kind of eccentric bit of fun that brings a smile to my face and so deserves its place on this blog. People have crossed the Channel in aeroplanes, in amphibious cars and on rocket-powered wings, so why not on a chair tied to a few dozen helium-filled balloons? I know what the fellow means when he talks about imagining floating away beneath a bunch of balloons - who hasn't dreamt of such a thing? - but top marks to him for making it a reality in such a memorable manner. It must have been a unique experience.

One also mustn't forget the dangers inherent in all forms of ballooning, which were no doubt magnified several-fold for this fellow, sitting precariously beneath all those balloons. On a small chair, at the mercy of the wind, suspended by dozens of balloons that could deflate or become untethered and land him in the drink; behind the humorous appearance there was much planning and scientific theory. But it's paid off handsomely and the fellow will be rightly remembered for his unusual way of crossing the Ditch. Well done that man!

Britain can become a world leader in technology, but it will need a cultural change

Britain can become a world leader in technology, but it will need a cultural change

It's not very often I link to an opinion piece but something about this guest column by renowned inventor and industrialist James Dyson (he of vacuum cleaner fame) struck a chord and so I thought I would share it.

There are many out there who are somewhat dismissive of Dyson, not least because of his company having outsourced manufacturing to the Far East at the expense of the British factory, but whatever you may think about Dyson's business practices there is much truth in what he says here. I too have often looked back at the likes of Whittle, Cockerell and Gresley amongst others and marvelled at their various ideas and inventions and then wondered why such innovation is not more actively encouraged today. Certainly we have many great engineers and inventors out there such as Dyson himself, Trevor Bayliss and Richard Noble, but is enough being done to make the country aware of their contribution, to celebrate their achivements and hopefully to inspire the next generation? Mr Dyson makes an interesting point.

Aircraft sets hypersonic record at six times the speed of sound

Aircraft sets hypersonic record at six times the speed of sound

Another story of mankind's continued attempts to push the boundaries of known science and technology, this time with the successful testing of the Boeing X-51A scramjet. It might not look like much at the moment, but contained within that missile-like shell is the potential future of hypersonic flight. If you thought Concorde was fast at twice the speed of sound, try and imagine something three times as fast! London to Sydney in little more than 2 hours, for example. Of course this is only the first flight of the first of its kind and we're talking years, probably decades of development before any real practical use my be arrived at. But just to read about this successful test and to know that there are people out there tirelessly working to "push the envelope", to strive for further advancements in technology and ability, is thrilling stuff. It shows that there is still so much for us to achieve and discover and that once again the human imagination seemingly knows no bounds.

Arthur Conan Doyle's debut 'to make £400,000'

Arthur Conan Doyle's debut 'to make £400,000'

Some of you may have noticed that my blogger name is a nod towards this man's greatest creation (and this story in particular, one of my favourites), so I was interested to read of this first edition coming up for auction. Alas I cannot stretch to £400k, so I will just have to make do with my Illustrated Strand Collections facsimile. No matter!

Once again we see the rarity value of such an item increase the price. Only two signed copies in existence and a fascinating historical insight into this enduring character's creation and first appearance. It is bound to be of interest to the moneyed Holmesian. Whether it will truly make as much as predicted we shall have to see, but there is no doubting its value as an item of cultural significance. Whoever it ends up with and however much they pay for it, I have no doubt that it will be in safe hands and fully appreciated.

Footage shows world's first mobile phone

Footage shows world's first mobile phone

EVE'S WIRELESS

A delightful article here, proving that there truly is "nothing new under the sun". Although I really dislike the pervasiveness and myriad unpleasant aspects of the modern mobile telephone, this historic precedent is wonderful in so many ways that I can't help but admire it. How better things might be today if people had to wrap a wire around a fire hydrant and carry an umbrella as an aerial before they could use their mobiles!