Quality Weenie

Today in Automotive History

1899 Steaming To The Summit

A Stanley Steamer, driven by F.O. Stanley, became the first car to reach the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire. F.O. Stanley was one of the Stanley twins, founders of the Stanley Motor Company, which specialized in steam-driven automobiles. The steamers not only climbed mountains, but often beat larger, gasoline-powered cars in races. In 1906, a Stanley Steamer would break the world record for the fastest mile when it reached 127mph.

Top 10 Dog Peeves About Humans

10. Blaming your farts on me... not funny... not funny at all!!!

9. Yelling at me for barking I'M A FRIGGIN' DOG, YOU IDIOT!

8. Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out. Exactly
whose walk is this anyway?

7. Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose... stop it!

6. Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons. Now you know why we chew
your stuff up when you're not home.

5. The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw. You fooled a dog! Whoooo
Hoooooooo! What a proud moment for the top of the food chain.

4. Taking me to the vet for "the big snip", then acting surprised when I
freak out every time we go back!

3. Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests. Sorry, but
haven't quite mastered that handshake thing yet.

2. Dog sweaters. Hello ??? Haven't you noticed the fur?

1. How you act disgusted when I lick myself. Look, we both know the truth,
you're just jealous

Today in Automotive History

1885 First Motorcycle

The world's first motorcycle, made by Gottlieb Daimler, was patented on this day. The two-wheeled vehicle gained immense popularity after 1910, when it was used heavily by all branches of the armed forces during World War I. The motorcycle's popularity lagged during the Great Depression, but came back with a vengeance after World War II and remains popular today. Often associated with a rebellious image, the vehicle is often used for high-speed touring and sport competitions.

I'm Alive

I was reading this post by blogsis Bou today.

This line about sums up my life right now "Everyone needs time to get their proverbial shit together" except my poop is still a little runny.

When I return to a solid state I will be back, with plenty of rants on responsibility and management that doesn't know how.

I'm A Traveling (Wo)Man

As if things couldn't get worse, ack.

I just found out a couple hours ago that our trial build from last week was entirely rejected by the customer. Ya, fun stuff.

So off I will be going to the customer to try and convince them that the parts really are good and they should accept them.

The words "take one for the team" has been liberally thrown around work today. Especially since the Quality Engineer at the customer has, how can I put this, um, the hots for me.

So if you live in or near Georgetown, Kentucky and don't have anything to do Thursday night drop me an email.

Life

Work Life is interfering with everything right now, blogging will be non-existant at least until mid-week.

Oh and if you hear of a work place shooting in Michigan, assume that I finally had enough of stupid people and went crazy.

Friday Doggie Blogging

It's Friday, that means another addition of Friday Puppy blogging.

This time, I don't have any pictures of them sleeping on top of each. They have been pretty active this week.

Fun with an empty water bottle

Here we have them doing a little sibling rivelry. The second picture is my favorite. The sun was shining through a window and I didn't use the flash.

Today in Automotive History

1908 Ford's Affordable Revolution

Henry Ford's first Model T, affectionately known as the "Tin Lizzie," rolled off the assembly line in Detroit, Michigan. The Model T revolutionized the automotive industry by providing an affordable, reliable car for the average American. Prior to the invention of the Model T, most automobiles were viewed as playthings of the rich. Ford was able to keep the price down by retaining control of all raw materials, as well as his use of new mass production methods. When it was first introduced, the "Tin Lizzie" cost only $850 and seated two people. Though the price fluctuated in the years to come, dipping as low as $290 in 1924, few other changes were ever made to the Model T. Electric lights were introduced in 1915, and an electric starter was introduced as an option in 1919. Eventually, the Model T's design stagnancy cost it its competitive edge, and Ford stopped manufacturing the "Tin Lizzie" in 1927.

Today in Automotive History

1966 The Camaro's Debut

The first Chevy Camaro drove out of the manufacturing plant in Norwood, Ohio, on this day in 1966. The 1967 Camaro coupe was named just weeks before production; General Manager Elliot Estes, when publicly announcing the name, quipped, "I went into a closet, shut the door and came out with the name." Camaro is actually French for "comrade, pal, or chum." The Camaro was a hit with the public, sporting a base price of only $2,466 for a six-cylinder engine and three-speed manual transmission.

What Does Your Birthdate Mean?

Stolen from blogmom, Tammi

All I can say is they are soooooooo very wrong. hee hee hee

Today in Automotive History

1897 The Oldest Automobile Club

The Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland, later known as the Royal Automobile Club, was founded on this day by C. Harrington Moore and Frederick R. Simms. Automobile clubs began as social clubs for people with an interest in motoring and motor racing, born in a time when cars were mainly for the rich. They later evolved into service clubs that could provide emergency road service, travel planning, and insurance. Many auto clubs still exist today and continue to sponsor motor-sport competitions.

Today in Automotive History

1962 Satisfaction Guaranteed

The Chrysler Corporation set an industry milestone by announcing for 1963 a five-year, 50,000-mile warranty covering all of its cars and trucks.

Today in Automotive History

1986 Knight Rider's Farewell

The last episode of the TV show Knight Rider aired on this day. The program featured David Hasselhoff as private eye Michael Knight, but the real star of the show was "KITT," his talking car. KITT was a modified Pontiac Firebird, complete with artificial intelligence and glowing red lights. KITT assisted Michael on his crime-fighting missions, communicating with him through a remote device Michael wore on his wrist.

P.S. - I use to watch this every week, but no I was not in love with David Hasselhoff, I like the car.

With Friends Like These ...

It’s the friends you can call up at four a.m. that matter.
Marlene Dietrich (1901 - 1992)

I have told a couple stories about my time in the college dorms. It was a time of unprecedented growing for the friends I made and me.

Most of us lost touch with each other, I have only remained in contact with a few people. We have always talked about trying to get everyone together, for a reunion of sorts.

Tomorrow will be that day.

A couple months ago a few people set out to make a reunion happen, and through the college and people knowing people they found all the current address for everyone that was on our dorm floor those couple of fantastic years.

I can not wait, it will be good seeing everyone again and finding out what they have done with their lives. It's been close to 15 years since I've seen or heard about most of them.

I think this maybe what I need to get out of this funk I've been in and get my mojo back.

Friday Doggie Blogging

Petsmart, every once in awhile, has a photographer show up. We had Lance's pictures taken awhile ago.

We had Maggie's taken this time as well both of them taken together.

Here are the two of them together. Are they sweet or what?

Click for larger view.

Seatbelts Save Lives

Harvey, at Bad Example, was talking about a Post that Grau, of Frizzen Sparks, made a Seatbelt useage.

I agreed with both of them, while I don't like Michigan telling I have to wear my seatbelt and they will fine me heavily if I don't, I would never, ever, never get into a car without a seatbelt to use. Front or Back.

Front because of the obvious, large windshield, the back because your a missle to the front passengers.

I make people who get into my car wear seatbelts. If you don't like it, don't drive with me but I am not paying, through my insurance and have my rates go up because your lazy ass doesn't want to wear a seatbelt. That goes even if your in the back seat because I don't want your ass injuring me because you were to lazy to belt up.

I worked for 2 years within the Ford Restraints department, that would include seatbelts and airbags. I listened to the Engineers who would have to go to court because of the dumbasses that wouldn't belt up and then sue Ford for being injured. The Engineers would have to go to testify to seatbelt stats, Ford design, etc. The horror stories I heard was enough to convert me if I wasn't already converted to seatbelt useage.

To top it off I got a chance to go to our seatbelt supplier when they ran crash tests using the dummies. There is nothing in this life that would scare religion into you upon seeing a crash test dummy, without a seatbelt on, being crash into a wall.

I just had a post earlier in the week about 2004 deaths relating to car accidents. It said that 55% of all people that died in car accidents were not wearing their seatbelts. That equals out to 23, 450 lives that probably would have been saved if they wore their seatbelts.

So if you don't wear a seatbelt, that is your choice but I think your a dumbass and nothing you say will change my mind about it and there is no excuss you can make to justify not wearing a seatbelt.

Today in Automotive History

1914 Red Light, Green Light

The first traffic light was installed at the intersection of Euclid Avenue and East 105th Street in Cleveland, Ohio. Earlier roads, shared by horses, cars, and streetcars, were chaotic. As accidents and traffic increased it became apparent that some rules of the road were required. The traffic light was only one of several improvements to arrive in this period--the traffic island was introduced in 1907, dividing lines appeared in 1911, and the "No Left Turn" sign debuted in 1916.

Got Flies?

I am Lord Queen of The Flys

There has been a Fly buzzing me all day, it's driving me crazy. This is one busy fly, or so I thought.

I leaned back in my chair and looked at the ceiling and nearly freaked out.

I counted 25 flys on the ceiling, 2 on my desk and 3 flying around.

Christ almightly where the heck did all these flys come from?

Today in Automotive History

1898 Packard's Joyride

On a visit to the Winton plant with his brother James, William D. Packard was taken for a test-drive in one of the company's vehicles, accompanied by George L. Weiss, a Winton executive. Packard ended up purchasing the Winton, to his later regret. The Packards' disappointing experience with the Winton prompted them to build their own car and establish the Ohio Automobile Company in 1900, which would later become the Packard Motor Company.

Today in Automotive History

1900 Firestone Founded

The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company was established in Akron, Ohio, on this day in 1900. Thirty-one-year-old inventor and entrepreneur Harvey S. Firestone seized on a new way of making carriage tires and began production with only 12 employees. Eight years later, Firestone tires were chosen by Henry Ford for the Model T, and Firestone eventually became a household name.

Tora Tora Tora

It looks like the Japanese are launching another attack, and it's happening by air also.

One of my inspectors just called from home, sick, after getting back from the doctor.

She has the Flu.

Her doctor asked if she had, within the past couple weeks, been around any Japanese recently from Japan.

We had Japanese here from our mother company last week.

The Flu she has is one right from Japan.

They infected us, 4 in the plant are already down.

We expect it to travel through the whole plant within the next couple weeks.

One of those that are sick right now just happens to have a desk next to me in our none ventilated office.

I expect to come down with the flu in the next few days, I always get what ever is going around due to my weakened immune system from my arthritis drugs.

Sucks to be me.

Actually I think I may already be coming down with it because yesterday afternoon I was extremely hot to the point I started sweating. I thought it was because I still don't have real AC in the office but now I am starting to wonder.

Update - The inspector just called because we asked if she could get more information about this flu and she said most people that get this flu get real sick from it.

Great.

It Super Sucks to be me.

2004 Auto Related Deaths Drop

The death rate on America's interstates fell to its lowest levels ever last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) said. Data from last year showed that 42,636 people died in accidents on highways in 2004, a drop from the 2003 total of 42,884 and the lowest number since the agency started keeping records 30 years ago. In 1966 the agency recorded 50,894 highway deaths. Last year the NHTSA says fewer people died from alcohol-related accidents as well.

"Drivers are safer today on our nation's highways than they have ever been, in part because of the safer cars, higher safety belt use and stronger safety laws that this Department has helped champion", said Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. American drivers tallied 2.92 trillion miles in 2004, up from 2.89 trillion in 2003, the Department of Transportation added in a release. Motorcycle deaths rose, however, by eight percent, as did rollover deaths by 1.1 percent and SUV fatalities by 5.6 percent. Some 55 percent of all deaths in 2004 were the result of not wearing seatbelts.

Something to think about: That equals out to 23,450 lives that might have been saved if they were wearing their seatbelts.

Hattip: The Car Connection

Today in Automotive History

1950 From the Road to the Battlefield

The Ford Motor Company created the Defense Products Division in order to handle the large number of government contracts related to the Korean War. The conversion from automobile manufacture to weapons production had already been made several times in history, including during World War II, when civilian automobile production in the U.S. virtually ceased as manufacturers began turning out tanks instead.

Today in Automotive History

1910 Licensing New York

The state of New York issued its first license plates on this day in 1910. Massachusetts, the first state in the nation to issue plates, had been doing so since 1893, when it introduced iron plates with the registration number etched on top. The current New York plate, which features the Statue of Liberty, has been in use since 1986.