Artificial Tornado in German Museum to Save Lives

An artificial tornado in Germany's Mercedes-Benz Museum was recognized Monday by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's tallest man-made twister.

The air swirl, created by air jets in the multi-storey gallery of the remarkable spiral building, does no harm. In fact it was installed to save lives if fire ever breaks out.

Testers from Guinness, a British-based publisher, confirmed the museum's tornado was 34.43 metres high.

The 144 jets take seven minutes to get the 28 tons of air moving at top speed, creating a low-pressure column at the "eye" of the circulation to suck in smoke and carry it up to vents in the roof.

The purpose is to stop suffocating smoke spreading into exhibition areas if fire ever breaks out. Museum chief executive Michael Bock said the system was unique worldwide and was specially designed for the building.

Carbon dioxide vapor fed into the tornado to make it visible shows it as a twisting column about 40 centimeters wide.

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Flowchart: Is it f*cked up? What to do, if so

Flowchart: Is it f*cked up? What to do, if so








[via http://www.boingboing.net]

Hamann Ferrari F430 Black Pictures

Ditching the F430’s shiny gloss finish in favor of this velvety matt black surface, Hamann has stuck with a racer look and also offers its customers a range of additional aero parts in their choice of red, orange or yellow.



Aerodynamic enhancements include a new front spoiler, rocker panel wings and a unique Hamann rear diffuser and wing.



Customers can also get the side mirrors, brake calipers, wheels and the engine cover surrounds finished in the same red, orange or yellow as the rest of the package.



Open up the doors and you’ll notice the gull wing motion, with the hinges installed in such a way as to appear as though it came off the factory floor like that.



The Hamann Black Miracle Ferrari F430 is the tuner’s latest edition to a long line of modified Italian exotics, and once again shows that the German tuner is not one to play it on the safe side.






[via pravda]