Ebenezer Clifford, a 19th-century planemaker in Maine, supplemented his income by diving for shipwrecks. He used a diving suit of his own design, featuring a helmet with a glass faceplate and a flexible hose supplying air from the surface. Clifford’s diving exploits, recovering items like anchors and cannons, were well-known locally. He apparently applied his ingenuity to both planemaking and diving, showcasing a remarkable combination of craftsmanship and adventurous spirit.
Driven by a lifelong fascination with pipe organs, Martin Wandel embarked on a multi-decade project to build one in his home. Starting with simple PVC pipes and evolving to meticulously crafted wooden ones, he documented his journey of learning woodworking, electronics, and organ-building principles. The project involved designing and constructing the windchest, pipes, keyboard, and the complex electronic control system needed to operate the organ. Over time, Wandel refined his techniques, improving the organ's sound and expanding its capabilities. The result is a testament to his dedication and ingenuity, a fully functional pipe organ built from scratch in his own basement.
Commenters on Hacker News largely expressed admiration for the author's dedication and the impressive feat of building a pipe organ at home. Several appreciated the detailed documentation and the clear passion behind the project. Some discussed the complexities of organ building, touching on topics like voicing pipes and the intricacies of the mechanical action. A few shared personal experiences with organs or other complex DIY projects. One commenter highlighted the author's use of readily available materials, making the project seem more approachable. Another noted the satisfaction derived from such long-term, challenging endeavors. The overall sentiment was one of respect and appreciation for the author's craftsmanship and perseverance.
Jens Quistgaard, a renowned Danish designer, created a series of iconic peppermills characterized by their unique combination of form and function. These mills, produced primarily from the 1960s to the 1980s, feature a distinctive shape, typically made of teak and featuring a ceramic grinding mechanism. Quistgaard prioritized simplicity and craftsmanship, resulting in mills that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical. While variations exist in size, wood type, and base design, they all share a common design language that makes them instantly recognizable as Quistgaard creations. The peppermills are highly collectible today, appreciated for their enduring design and Quistgaard's legacy.
Hacker News users discuss Quistgaard's pepper mills with a mix of appreciation and pragmatism. Several praise the iconic design and craftsmanship, noting their durability and the satisfying grinding mechanism. Others question the practicality, citing issues with refilling, the coarseness of the grind, and the tendency for peppercorns to get stuck. Some commenters share personal anecdotes of owning or inheriting these mills, highlighting their longevity. A few delve into the history of Dansk Designs and Quistgaard's broader work. Overall, the comments reflect a respect for the design while acknowledging its functional limitations. There's also some discussion about the high prices these mills command, with some arguing they are more collectible than practical.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43225805
Hacker News users discussed the intriguing story of Ebenezer Clifford, a planemaker and diving bell inventor. Several commenters focused on the ingenuity of Clifford's diving bell design, particularly its use of a weighted bellows system for air replenishment. Some debated the historical accuracy of attributing the invention solely to Clifford, pointing to earlier diving bell iterations. Others expressed fascination with Clifford's dual professions and the potential connection between woodworking precision and the technical demands of underwater exploration. A few users shared additional resources about early diving technology, highlighting the dangers and limitations of these pioneering devices. The overall sentiment was one of admiration for Clifford's ingenuity and the historical context of his inventions.
The Hacker News post "The Planemaker Who Walked Beneath the Water" (linking to an article about Ebenezer Clifford, a diving bell inventor and planemaker) has generated several comments, offering various perspectives and additional information.
One commenter points out the impressive feat of Clifford's diving bell invention, highlighting its use in salvage operations and mentioning its remarkable depth capability of 23 fathoms (138 feet). They express fascination with the technology of the time and how such a device could operate at that depth.
Another comment elaborates further on the historical context of diving bells, drawing a parallel between Clifford's bell and the earlier one designed by Edmund Halley. They explain that Halley's bell replenished its air supply by sending weighted barrels of air down to the bell, a method that Clifford's design seemingly improved upon.
A separate comment shifts the focus to the woodworking aspect, expressing admiration for Clifford's craftsmanship as a planemaker. They link this skill to the precision and ingenuity required for building a diving bell, suggesting a correlation between the two pursuits.
Furthering the discussion on the diving bell's mechanics, another commenter questions how the air pressure inside the bell was managed, speculating about the potential discomfort or danger of rapid pressure changes during ascent and descent. They also wonder about the effects of the increased air pressure at such depths.
Another commenter picks up on the pressure discussion, pointing out the significant pressure at 23 fathoms and suggesting that even a slow ascent would necessitate decompression stops to avoid the bends. This introduces a modern diving concept into the historical context, raising questions about the diving practices of that era.
Finally, a comment contributes a personal anecdote about diving in a similar antique diving helmet. They describe the experience of breathing compressed air and the restricted field of vision, offering a glimpse into what using such equipment might have been like.
The comments overall demonstrate a blend of curiosity about the historical technology, admiration for Clifford's skills, and a thoughtful consideration of the practical challenges associated with early diving. They enrich the original post by providing additional context and perspectives on both the diving bell and the planemaking aspects of Clifford's life.