Transport
Discover facts about transport. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Transport
Why stealth pilots brought beanbags into the cockpit
Radar waves love a shiny surface, and cockpit gear gives them plenty to gossip about. Beanbags made with radar-absorbing material covered places that would…
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Why loose razor blades can't fly in your luggage
A bare blade can cut through a bag or into someone’s hand when luggage gets handled. A safety razor’s guard covers the edge; a loose blade arrives with all…
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Ferries in Victoria Harbour function as floating crosswalks for pedestrians
Short ferry crossings link the shores of Victoria Harbour directly, turning a boat ride into a pedestrian shortcut. The water gets crossed without a long…
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Hitchhiking rules can change before the scenery does
US rules differ by state and road type, and a prohibition on soliciting rides from the roadway is not necessarily the same as a blanket ban everywhere.…
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Spacecraft heat up by crushing air, not rubbing against it
At reentry speed, air piles up ahead of the spacecraft and gets compressed into a shock wave. That compression heats the gas—and the spacecraft—so the…
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Ormer Locklear turned a biplane wing into a stage
The early aviator became famous for climbing out onto aircraft in flight and performing wing-walking stunts. A biplane's exposed wings and struts offered…
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The US has about eight parking spaces per car
The U.S. has more than a billion parking spots, covering a combined area roughly the size of West Virginia.
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The first recorded car theft was a joyride
Early cars were rare, temperamental machines, so the first recorded thief was reportedly a mechanic who knew how to handle one. He took the car for a spin…
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Filipino jeepneys often wear tiny metal statues, mirrors and ornaments on their hoods
Jeepney owners dress up their hoods with mirrors, metal figures, and ornaments, turning a workhorse into a rolling signature. The vehicle carries passengers;…
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Stroller swivel locks keep the front wheels straight on rough or uneven ground
A swivel wheel happily turns toward every bump, which is not the same as choosing a useful direction. Locking it straight keeps rough ground from yanking the…
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Snowboard boots are flexible enough to walk in, unlike stiff alpine ski boots
Soft snowboard boots bend at the ankle, making walking easier and letting riders move their weight over the board. Ski boots lock the ankle more firmly to…
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NASA borrows planets' momentum to send probes farther
A probe swoops past a planet, and the planet’s gravity bends its path while the planet moves around the Sun. The probe leaves with extra speed relative to the…
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Christmas trees can leave the farm by helicopter
Crews attach cut trees for a short lift to a collection area, letting an aircraft move bundles over terrain that would slow ground transport. The helicopter's…
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Why round boats spin when paddled poorly
Paddling off-center twists a round boat because its smooth hull offers little resistance to turning. Match the strokes from side to side or the boat starts…
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A frozen drink faces a different TSA rule than a liquid one
TSA permits frozen liquids through the checkpoint when they are completely solid at screening. If the drink is slushy, partly melted, or has liquid in the…
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Why your car may have no spare tire
Spare tires add weight and take up room, so automakers leave them out to free space and trim fuel use. Many cars come with a sealant kit or a small compressor…
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Why a safe zipline has plenty of slack
A loaded zipline cable sags into a curve instead of pulling tight like a guitar string. That curve reduces the force on the cable and its anchors; a perfectly…
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How jet skis move without exposed propellers
A jet ski sucks water through an intake, spins it with an internal impeller, then shoots it out through a steering nozzle. The backward jet pushes the craft…
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Why former British colonies drive on the left
Left-side traffic traveled with British rule and stuck around in many former colonies after independence. Its roots reach back to horse traffic: keeping left…
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Why fuel doors are on different sides of cars
There’s no universal rule for which side gets the fuel door. Automakers fit the tank and filler pipe around the car’s other hardware, so one model’s pump side…
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How airships turned engine exhaust into ballast
Burning fuel makes an airship lighter as its tanks empty. Some airships recovered water from engine exhaust and kept it aboard as ballast, replacing lost…
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Continuous somersaults can destroy your balance and trigger intense nausea within seconds
Spinning sends fluid in the inner ear sloshing after the head has moved, so the brain gets conflicting reports about motion and balance. The floor looks still…
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The first meal on the Moon included bacon
The scheduled menu also included peaches and sugar-cookie cubes.
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Bicycle tires with Presta valves need a tiny nut unscrewed before inflation
That tiny nut holds the Presta valve shut. Unscrew it before attaching the pump, then the pump’s pressure pushes air through the valve; forget the nut and…
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