Texas Instrument TI-5200 Calculator
This working model was obtained from a local car boot sale. The TI-5200 was a desktop calculator introduced by Texas Instruments in January 1977 priced at around $150 USD. The main features are: The concept of integrating electronic circuits into a single device was first proposed by British engineer Geoffrey Dummer in 1952. However, it […]
The Unicorn Inn
The site of the present Thai restaurant at the junction of Eastgate Square, between St Pancras and The Hornet was the location from the late 17th century for the Unicorn Inn. The title deeds held by Messrs Henty and Constable in 1940 go back to 1741. The “Unicorn” was the home of that ancient body […]
‘The Bull Inn’ gets a new life
The Bull Inn located at 4-5 Market Road was a Free house that closed in 2015. In mid-2023 work started on gutting the interior. The latest photo of the repainted exterior was taken in March 2024 when it displayed a ‘To Let’ notice -‘All classes and uses considered’. For more information about the history of […]
Focke Wulf 190
Designed by chief engineer Kurt Tank, the aircraft was initially developed for two alternative power plants, the inline Daimler Benz DB 601 and the radial BMW 139. The choice of a radial engine was controversial as it was thought the large frontal area would adversely affect performance. However, it offered more power and was chosen […]
Messerschmitt Bf 109
Designed by Professor Willy Messerschmitt to meet a 1934 Reichfluftfahrtministerium requirement for a single-seat monoplane fighter, the prototype Bf1 09A first flew in September 1935 and was the winning competitor in a fly-off that involved three other designs – Focke-Wulf submitted the Fw 159V1, Arado the Ar 80V1 and Heinkel the He 112. When it […]
How Changes in Ocean Current Flows would affect the UK
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a large system of ocean currents that carries warm water from the tropics northwards into the North Atlantic. It operates like a conveyer belt driven by differences in temperature and salt content – the water’s density. It is a vital system of ocean currents that governs weather patterns […]
Imperial 200
A charity shop acquisition, the Imperial 200 has serial number 1249067 and was produced between 1970 and 1971. The model 200 existed from 1969 to 1973. These were Silver-Seiko Portables made in Japan and badged under Royal and Imperial marques. Comments on the design It has a compact design and when closed has dimensions of […]
Olympia Splendid 66
Another acquisition from a charity shop. It came in a case with a working zipp and carrying handle and was in good working condition. As it had not been used for some time it came with the usual ‘musty’ smell. The serial number was found to the right side of the bell. The number 622428 […]
Empire Aristocrat
This was rejected by an auction house and was to be returned to its owner, but I had the opportunity to view it and thought it was in reasonable condition to acquire. Its serial number W 122158 (on the right top of the frame, under the right end of the carriage) indicated that it was […]
UK’s Inadequate preparation for adaption to Climate change
In its June 2023 report the Climate change Committee found that as regards the government’s second National Adaptation Programme (NAP2), there was very limited evidence of the implementation of adaptation at the scale needed to fully prepare for climate risks facing the UK. The current approach to adaptation policy is not leading to delivery on […]