Hi David. This brick layer's story is very old and has been used by physics teachers for many decades to illustrate laws of physics and generate problems to assign on homework or give on tests. I doubt if it is literally true but may be based on some construction accident from the end of the 19th century.
Regards. Max. K 4 O D S. Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Transistor site http://www.funwithtransistors.net Vacuum tube site: http://www.funwithtubes.net Music site: http://www.maxsmusicplace.com To subscribe to the fun with tubes group send an email to, [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Ferrin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 7:18 AM Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Bricklayer's accident report > This is all right, but let's not get silly. The question is I wonder if it > is a true story. > David Ferrin > www.jaws-users.com > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Lenny McHugh > To: Handyman-Blind > Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 7:59 AM > Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Bricklayer's accident report > > > With the recent posts about accidents withmeasuring devices and miter > saws, I thought this would be a welcome read. After all the ruler > accidents could be attributed to "poor planning". > > Dear Sir: > > "I am writing in response to your request for additional information in > Block 3 of the accident report form. I put "poor planning" as the cause of > my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I trust the following > details will be sufficient. > > I was alone on the roof of a new six-story building. When I completed my > work, I found that I had some bricks left over which, when weighed later, > were found to be slightly more than 500 lb. Rather than carry the bricks > down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley, which > was attached to the side of the building on the sixth floor. > > Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel > out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and untied the rope, > holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks. You will note > in Block 11 of the accident report form that I weigh 135 lb... > > Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my > presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I > proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building. > > In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel, which was now > proceeding downward at an equally impressive speed. This explains the > fractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken collarbone, as listed in > section 3 of the accident report form. > > Slowed down slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the > fingers on my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. > Fortunately by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able > to hold tightly to the rope, in spite of beginning to experience a great > deal of pain. > > At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the > ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. > > Now devoid of the weight of the bricks, that barrel weighed approximately > 50 lb. I refer you again to my weight. As you can imagine, I began a rapid > descent, down the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third > floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured > ankles, broken tooth and several lacerations of my legs and lower body. > > Here my luck began to change slightly. The encounter with the barrel > seemed to slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell into the pile > of bricks and fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked. > > I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks, in > pain, unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind and > let go of the rope and I lay there watching the empty barrel beginning its > journey back down onto me. This explains the two broken legs. > > I hope this answers your questions. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > To listen to the show archives go to link > http://acbradio.org/handyman.html > or > ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ > > The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. > http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday > > Visit The Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various > List Members At The Following address: > http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ > > Visit the archives page at the following address > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > If you would like to join the Blind Computing list, then visit the > following address for more information: > http://jaws-users.com/mailman/listinfo/blind-computing_jaws-users.com > > For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man > list just send a blank message to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.7/1152 - Release Date: > 11/26/2007 10:50 AM >
