Right—Claudia Schacht, champion parachute jumper of the U. S. S. R., it shown with full paraphernalia just before entering a plane for a leap into space. Aviation officials say that women jumpers have less fear than men and never hesitate before jumping from the plane. In contrast to Miss Schacht, who is about to take off for her jump. Valya Lazareva, a student at a parachute school, is shown as she landed after her first jump.
Collectors with money to spend find counterfeiters ready to meet demand for all "copies" needed.
by James N. Miller
SECRET SERVICE sleuths, working on a private tip-off, recently achieved a sensational "snatch" in New York City. In an out-of-the-way office, on a back street, they located headquarters of a gang dealing in counterfeit and stolen stamps. Elaborate manufacturing paraphernalia was seized, including engraving gadgets, perforation machines, coloring apparatus and various kinds of gum.
This kind of reminds me of the Boat Church in Ian McDonald’s excellent book Brasyl. Church Goes To Sea WHEN the congregation can’t go to church, the church goes to the congregation, along the Parana River in the Argentine. This floating church, 108 feet long, has steeple, stained glass windows and altar. Built in the [...]
Americans pay more than $5,000,000 annually to express patriotic and religious fervor.
by Benn Hall
AMERICA spends more than $5,000,000 each year to express, by means of colorful and noisy fireworks her patriotic and religious fervor. It's a neat little business, the pyrotechnic industry, and has grown tremendously since prehistoric man dabbled in his mute way with the wonder of fire and the fury of sound. It has expanded, too, since that more modern occasion in the 13th century when gunpowder was given to the world and changed history—and methods of celebrating those historical changes.
by John L. Welbourn
Editor's Note—This equipment is particularly suited for science class-room demonstrations. At no time should a demonstration be attempted by one unfamiliar with the apparatus. Although the giant brush discharge is harmless to the average person, a shock from any part of the equipment other than the high-frequency transformer will carry with it serious consequences to the person involved. It is suggested that when this apparatus is demonstrated before a group of persons, they be warned not to touch the apparatus and to stand a respectful distance from the low-voltage equipment.
THE apparatus about to be described is capable of throwing a spark four and a half feet long. In spite of its deadly appearance, this spark is quite harmless. The operator may hold a metal rod in his hand and let it jump to the end of the rod and run through his body to ground, not only without harm, but without any sensation of shock. A rather spectacular stunt is to hold one wire leading to an incandescent light, and bring the other end near the coil. The lamp will be lighted by the current passing through the body and may in a few minutes even be burned out. A mystifying trick is to hold a short length of neon tube in one's hand, and approach the coil. Long before there is any sign of a spark jumping to the tube, it will light with its characteristic glow.
Street traffic goes on as usual while gigantic construction project approaches completion many feet below.
by Don Glassman
UNDERGROUND flyers crashing through caves of darkness serve the largest metropolitan population in the world—New York. They carry people to and fro every minute of the year; storm, rain, snow or ice —nothing stops them. Under rivers, streets, skyscrapers, occasionally coming up for a breath of light and air, the trains for the most part run underground where the running is good and the tracks are clear.
Priceless radio frequencies will be doled out at international conference to be held in Cairo early in 1938.
by Roland C. Davies
AS THE smoke of foreign conflict rises above the horizon, students of world affairs realize that international broadcasting is perhaps the most potent arm of propaganda to dump nations into the inferno of war or to maintain peace.
Almost daily the press tells how foreign nations are using that marvel of modern science to tell the world via short-wave radio of their nationalistic aims, armed strength and economic prestige.
Small Utility Tools Are Attached To Finger Tips SMALL utility tools fitted on the finger tips are the invention of Miss Lillian Greneker, New York artist. This invention, she claims, may well revolutionize the use of the hands and fingers in the arts, crafts and industry. Tentatively named “Fingertips,” the thimblelike devices extend vertically from [...]
