Sundial reference
I am working on a couple sundial concepts and need more information. Can anyone tell me where to find any reference regarding hemisphereums, and/or reflecting sundials (that reflect the time from a windowsill onto the ceiling of the room). Particularly the latter... Jim Tallman [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Wood for dials
I once had a professor in Design school who said "wood is good", and I agree. I use it for prototypes as well as finished products. I know of very few materials that can actually stand up to freeze/thaw for very long periods. Even concrete will fracture, and most outdoor statuary people recommend bringing pieces in or covering them with a tarp for the worst part of the winter. Here in Cincinnati, Ohio we have very extreme cycles...I have seen it 60 degrees and saturating rain one day, and below zero the next day. My rock retaining walls around the house do not respond well to these conditions, and are a testament to the power of the forces of nature. If you think about it, most of the worlds best preserved outdoor antiquities are in places that do not experience this type of abuse. If you are really bent on using non-tropical wood outdoors, I suggest experimenting with the new marine grade epoxy systems...I use a resin called "epon" by Shell Chemicals. I have not used it in an outdoor setting as described, but I do turn vases and cups/goblets out of various woods and use it to line the interior. Constant exposure to water then has little or no effect, and in fact, the epoxy resin actually migrates into the wood below the surface and forms a polymerized "new" material. However, UV radiation will eventually degrade the surface anyway. But you may wind up with a piece that will last your lifetime at least... Jim Tallman, FX Studios.
now for something completely different...
I recently received a garden ornament catalog from a very classy outfit in the UK called Haddonstone. Very nice. They refer to one of their material processes as "dry cast limestone". Seems to be a high-end cementicious material that doesn't have to be sealed and allows lichen growth and natural patina effects to take place. They use it to economically duplicate real limestone, and utilize it for garden sculpture as well as fountain components. I have use for such a material on a couple of things I am working on, and have been having very little luck getting any help from people in the industry. They all view their mixes as proprietary, and that is ok. I am somewhat familiar with "cast stone" and the use of different aggregates in portland, but this stuff sounds different. Is anyone familiar with this? Jim Tallman
Solar Panels
Fernando: The answer to your solar panel question is quite simple. You want to figure out the declination of the sun at each solstice and then split the difference. Then your panel will be perpendicular to that angle. This is the way to have the best possible performance over the entire year. However, if you use the panel mostly for heat in the winter, you will want to tip it towards where the sun is in the winter, so that the maximum power is available when it is needed most. Figure out the declination when winter begins for you, as well as when winter ends for you, and then split that difference. The three panels could also be angled from right to left to provide an "array" effect so that one would be best in the morning, one for midday, and one for afternoon. I am not sure as to the angles, but the process would be similar to the one described above. Check with the solar panel manufacturer to find out for sure if this even matters. If the "straight" system builds up enough energy during the midday hours to carry through to the next day then the angling of the panels from right to left is not necessary. Jim Tallman, FX Studios.
Population and latitude.
Hello all, I wonder if any of you guys know of a reference source relating to population and latitude. What is the most populated latitude on the globe? I endeavor to answer an earnest six-year-old's simple question...Jim Tallman, Fx Studios.
Pop & Lat
Ross, Thanks for the help, I will appreciate anything that you come across. It seems like sooner or later this cross-reference will be available. Kind of like the sources that will give you global coordinates for any address, as well as directions, maps, etc.. Maybe after the upcoming, much debated year 2000 census we will at least have US statistics to use.
Re: The Marvelous Sundial of Dr. April Furst
This "sundial contraption" has got to be the most ridiculous concept I have read about lately. But then again, I might be missing something...if an accurate watch is a principle requirement of using a sundial, then what is the point? You don't even get the chance to see the "walking shadow"...I am not at all surprised that she might have been associated with other questionable products. That article was a joke, right? Jim Tallman, FX Studios.
Got me.
Oh hee ho ho. You guys...
What a great list.
Hello all, I never cease to be impressed with the international character and intellectual content of this list. I am really glad that I stumbled upon it (through visiting Fer deVries sundial page one day). I look forward each day to seeing what you guys are talking about, and contribute when I can. I am a professional product designer, concentrating on things visual and aesthetic most of the time, but I am also a perpetual student as well. Design is a game of analogies, and the more you know and are exposed to, the better the end result will be. While some of my professional associates are intimidated by technology, I embrace it and the level of understanding it can deliver. I doubt that I would be exposed to the mathematical/scientific discourse on this list any other way. I am also glad that this list rises above the troubled political times we live in, and with the exception of the "Professor Ruby" business, everyone here seems to be able to get along just fine. I enjoy the virtual company of each and every one of the contributors of this list, and I am thankful for the opportunity to be a member. Peace to you all. Jim Tallman, FX Studios.
red faced ruby
Hello All, I came into the studio today and found the usual weekend's worth of sundial list postings, as usual, but I was really surprised to see what most of them were about. I, however, was not taken in by the fake Fernando posting (something I learned from my recent encounter with Dr. Furst) and quickly surmised that this "ruby" person was back. The writing style gave him/her away, and I could not imagine Fernando ever doing something like that. I have been considering this subject all day, while doing mind-numbing production work on a fairly boring little project, and I wasn't even going to address this subject - except for one nagging little question. This person must still be able to see the list postings, even after being removed. How else would he/she be up to date on our EOT discussions? Perhaps he/she is accessing somebody's legitimate e-mail account? Then I wondered why this person would even bother spending the time it must take to do this, and that lead to the pondering of some larger philosophical questions pertaining to the situation in the world today. I have come to these two conclusions: A: As long as man wants what he cannot have there will be no real and lasting peace. Yugoslavia/Kosovo and the current mess serves as a case in point...and ruby is obviously a pseudo-intellectual that wants the same respect that we have all invested generous time and hard work to earn. His/her logic, as well as content, doesn't wash. B: This ruby person does not have enough projects. He has too much idle time, or else he would be up to better things than ferreting out sneaky little ways to toss hand grenades into our peaceful and noble forum. People who do not have enough projects usually go astray sooner or later. Crime, infidelity, suicide, and drug abuse are all examples of this effect, in many (but not all) instances. This ruby person, as well as others in the world today, tend to react destructively to shortcomings regarding the two conclusions I stated above. Childish behavior to be sure, but very real all the same. I suggest that ruby go away and grow up a bit, and get some good projects...otherwise he will come to regret wasting his life in pursuit of such frivolous ends. Similiar to the budding young artist wasting his time putting fantastic graffiti on subway trains. I am not impressed with what I have seen so far. But there is good to be found in this, and that is the fact that this latest incident has only caused a small ripple in our utopian pool, as opposed to the big splash that was caused the last time. Like a fly buzzing around our collective, virtual heads. I wonder if that is really how "professor ruby" wants to be remembered? Hang in there Fernando, I always like to hear what you are up to. Jim Tallman, FX Studios
Schmoyer sundial
I too would like to see this sundial, which seems to be so universally known. If anybody does have a pic, please send me a copy ok?
Re: Schmoyer sundial picture
David, Please send me the pic. Have you been able to get any response in dislodging the parts from the guy in Quebec? Perhaps the threat (via e-mail sent to the address on their e-commerce page) of airing the dirty laundry on a web page will work...let the truth be your sword...tell them that you will reference the words "nocturnal, aquitaine, and sundial" so the search engines will list the page right beside theirs in a web search result. Might be just the thing to get their attention. Sharp swords get better results... I wish you luck, and as a professional product designer myself, I hope you can prevail against the cavalier bad guy. Be sure to let me know how it goes. Jim Tallman, FX Studios. -- > From: David R. Gagnon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: sundial@rrz.uni-koeln.de > Subject: Schmoyer sundial picture > Date: Wednesday, May 12, 1999 2:29 PM > > At 07:17 AM 5/12/99 +0200, Giovani Barbi wrote: > >Dear friends diallists, > >I feel a little ashamed, but I have consulted the book of Waugh and did > >not find any trace of the SCHMOYER sundial of wich you are speaking. > >So, is anyone able to give me the exact reference or , better, to send > >an image of this sundial? > > Sorry - I did not give a very precise reference in my initial posting. > I have a jpeg image of the Schmoyer sundial, which was called the Sunquest > sundial while Mr. Schmoyer was alive, and would be happy to send it to anyone > who sends me a request privately. The file is 54Kb and is scanned from an old > picture postcard. > > Dave Gagnon > >
Sundial pics
Thanks to all of you who sent me pics of the Schmoyer sundial. I recognized it when I saw it, and it is a very interesting piece. I will add the pics to my little electronic archive of sundial images. I am always excited to see sundial pics, so thanks go to Francois as well. I used to live and work in downtown Chicago, and it was nice to see the skyline again as well as the sundial by the planetarium. Jim Tallman, FX Studios.
Re: Schmoyer sundial picture
Fernando, Actually, sharp words across international boundaries seem to get very little accomplished...the current world situation is a testament to that. When I say "draw your sword" I mean do not be afraid to take up a noble fight. When I say that sharp swords yield better results, I mean do not be timid - don't do it halfway. So many of my design schoolmates have "surrendered their swords" and quit designing altogether (which can be an uphill struggle in the business environment) in favor of being autocad draftsmen, which is typically far less confrontational. I have been working in the construction business for 12 years, and actually direct my own projects too, and sharp words tend to be the norm. Perhaps the experience has turned me into a course American, like we are referred to sometimes internationally. I do know that one had better be ready to back up sharp words though. I don't want this to sound political in any way, and I realize that what I am saying sounds alot like what my government says from time to time, but I know that you are interested in language nuances and I thought you might appreciate the clarification of what I meant. Jim Tallman, FX Studios. -- From: Fernando Cabral <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Jim Tallman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: David R. Gagnon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; sundial@rrz.uni-koeln.de Subject: Re: Schmoyer sundial picture Date: Wednesday, May 12, 1999 12:30 PM Jim Tallman wrote: > result. Might be just the thing to get their attention. > Sharp swords get better results... Do sharp words do that too? - fernando -- Fernando Cabral Padrao iX Sistemas Abertos mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pix.com.br mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Fone: +55 61 321-2433 Fax: +55 61 225-3082 15º 45' 04.9" S 47º 49' 58.6" W 19º 37' 57.0" S 45º 17' 13.6" W --
Damned fools...
Tony, I am reminded of an ethics class in college where I was told of the "damned fool clause" as it relates to product design. If a damned fool can hurt himself with the thing, get insurance and write disclaimers! Jim Tallman, FX Studios. -- > From: Tony Moss <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: Mac Oglesby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Cc: Sundial List > Subject: Re: Sundials not needing corrections > Date: Friday, May 14, 1999 4:48 AM > > Mac Oglesby wrote: > > > Imagine that - a "dangerous" sundial! > > > Before trading with the US my insurers insisted that at least £1m worth of public liability insurance was essential. > > "A metal spike pointing upwards in a public place with no shielding or guard rails" > "Are you quite mad sir?" > > and as for my helpful leaflet on how to erect a pedestal for a sundial > > "You're advising clients to dig a hole and use tools!! - absolutely not!!" > > "We suggest that you say that all installation work is done by qualified tradesmen working to local safety standards and codes etc. etc." > > A safe sundial? -imagine that! > > Tony Moss.
Re: Sundials and Culture
I wonder if anyone knows of any early American sundials, perhaps from Williamsburg or other early colonial areas? Jim Tallman, FX Studios. -- > From: Luke Coletti <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: Roger Bailey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Cc: sundial > Subject: Re: Sundials and Culture > Date: Friday, May 21, 1999 2:02 PM > > Hello Roger, > > I'm sure there is little anyone (including me) could disagree with in > your message. However, I would contest the point about America having no > tradition(s), we have a GREAT tradition of individualism, therefore I > believe the personal aspect of a dial should be put first, not last! ;) > > Vive' La Difference... > > -Luke > > > Roger Bailey wrote: > > > > At 09:34 AM 5/3/99 +0200, fer j. de vries wrote: > > > > > >But please, have in mind we are dealing with sundials, not with > > >instruments to read a time in parts of a second or minute. > > > > > >Don't forget the history of sundials. How did people the things at their > > >time? > > >In our time we have other instruments to measure time as precisely and > > >accurate as we want. > > >A sundial still has to reflect to the older times and a suntime hour is > > >irregular in length. > > > > > Hello Fer and all, > > > > I agree. We have to consider the historical use of sundials. In North > > America sundials are not a traditional part of our culture. For us they are > > interesting technical artifacts without links to our history or artistic > > and architectural traditions. > > > > On this theme I gave a presentation at a recent NASS conference entitled > > "The Most Important Things for Sundial Design are Location, Location and > > Location." The first location factor is Scientific: what are the > > mathematics of the design for a specific latitude, longitude and > > orientation. Most of the discussion on this list involves this scientific > > location factor. > > > > The second location factor is Cultural: what are the architectural and > > artistic traditions of this area to be considered in the design of the > > dial? An English country garden is a very different setting compared to an > > alpine village square or a majestic cathedral. The traditional design of > > vertical declining dials of France has been carried to Quebec and the > > Austrian style has been adopted on appropriate houses in the mountain > > community where I live. > > > > The third location factor is Personal: what are the unique personal > > interests of the owner or designer and how are they reflected in the > > design? I have designed a dial based on a family crest and a dial for an > > alpine hut based on mountaineer's ice axe. Each design can be unique and > > consider the three location factors. > > > > For the next three weeks I am abandoning the discussions on factor one > > (Science) and will be concentrating on factor two (Culture). My wife thinks > > we are on vacation but I will be chasing sundials in "La France Profond" > > armed with my "Cadrans Solaires Francais Catalogue" from the "Societe > > Astronomique de France". I am looking forward to irregular times. > > > > A bientot, > > > > Roger Bailey > > Walking Shadow Designs > > heading for N 44:38 E 2:03
