Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.960925110814.14532K-100000@abc.ksu.ksu.edu> Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 11:09:42 -0500 From: kerry miller <mailto:astingsh@KSU.EDU> Subject: Ah yes, technology transfer To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
>
>>In a recent issue of "Meat & Poultry" magazine, editors quoted from
>>"Feathers," the publication of the California Poultry Industry
>>Federation, reporting the following story:
>>
>>It seems the US Federal Aviation Administration has a unique device for
>>testing the strength of windshields on airplanes. The device is an air
>>cannon that launches a dead chicken at a plane's windshield at
>>approximately the speed the plane flies.
>>
>>The theory is that if the windshield doesn't crack from the carcass
>>impact, it'll survive a real collision with a bird during flight. It
>>seems that British Rail was very interested in this and wanted to test a
>>windshield on a brand new, ultra high speed locomotive they're
>>developing.
>>
>>They borrowed the FAA's chicken launcher, loaded the chicken and fired.
>>The ballistic chicken shattered the windshield, went through the
>>engineer's chair, broke an instrument panel and embedded itself in the
>>back wall of the engine cab. The British engineers were stunned and
>>asked the FAA to review the test to see if everything was done
>>correctly.
>>
>>The FAA checked the test thoroughly and had one recommendation:
>>
>>"Try thawing the chicken next time."
>
ÿÿÿ