Wind turbines are becoming ever more ubiquitous thanks to their gradually lowering setup costs and relatively environmentally friendly energy production. It is a bit worrying then to see this particular wind turbine exploding in spectacular fashion. Worrying might actually be the wrong adjective—I believe the correct term is omfg-exploding-wind-turbine-destruction-is-so-satisfying-tastic. Check it out by hitting the video above, then jump in for a brief history lesson about Grandpa’s Knob.

Wind machines were used way back in 200 B.C. by the Persians, who managed to put the wind crunchers to use for grain grinding purposes. Skip a few years ahead, and you have the first Megawatt wind turbine (pictured), which was set up on a hilltop in Rutland, Vermont, and provided power to the local grid during WWII. The turbine was affectionately known as “Grandpa’s Knob.” Charming. Thanks for attending Wind Turbine Retromodo 101; there’ll be a test next week, so get revising. [Live Leak; Wiki]

Via [Gizmodo]

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Loughborogh Uni scienticians have developed a camera system that can automatically detect how many people are in a automobile to bust those who undeservedly use carpool lanes. There aren’t enough police to patrol all of the UK’s highways, so this camera is meant to compliment their efforts. No word on if it can be fooled by […]

Loughborogh Uni scienticians have developed a camera system that can automatically detect how many people are in a vehicle to bust those who undeservedly use carpool lanes. There aren’t enough police to patrol all of the UK’s highways, so this camera is meant to compliment their efforts.

No word on if it can be fooled by a dummy like on that episode of Mythbusters.

Car-sharing cameras being tested [BBC]

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Via [crunchgear]

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The Japanese electronics retailer Edion is deeply ashamed it sold its customers HD DVD gear. So ashamed they that they’re allowing buyers to swap in Toshiba HD DVD boxes for Blu-ray players. A little more investigation reveals that the trade must occur during March, and consumers only need pay the price difference.

If a US retailer of the world would make such a move, they’d have me as a customer for life. But, I doubt any of the large stores here have the vision to put long term customer retention over its short term profits. I’m also sure that the margins on the more pricey Blu-ray players are helping to float the difference. Best Purchase, Walmarts, are you listening? [Edion via DigitalWorldTokyo via BoingBoingGadget]

Toshiba’s HD-DVD-related business end of the Company’s response As of February 20, 1920, Toshiba Corporation from the end of business on HD-DVD announcement regarding the Company As a response to this matter, following our decision. Recollections Our “buy peace of mind, much satisfied” under Philosophy, even after your purchase for optimum support to implementAims. This time, under these plans, the Company is Toshiba Corporation’s HD-DVD-related business end Your response to the study results, we’ll, at the time of buy was expected to be fully granted unavailable There’s a capacity to the Company as follows, we respond. The contents of the corresponding 1. HD DVD-compatible equipment sales for the next stop. 2. HD-DVD is about the media response, we will continue to maintain sales. 3. HD-DVD buys enabled devices such as repair and warranty service, will continue And the preparation of a framework for the future. 4. HD-DVD response following our model of your buy order, you like about your, We purchase頂けれyou have to over-the-counter products, and the difference between the purchase price you pay phones in the Blue Ray (Seo Knee-made, manufactured by Panasonic, Sharp-made) and exchange bon appétit. Eligible customers exchange ○ EDIONGURUPU each store ( “DEODEO Corporation” “Eyden” “electric green” “EDION” “electric石丸 Care “and” full 100 volts “) at the Review on February 22, 1920 between the candidate who purchase model Your example of the Blu-ray model corresponds to the desired exchange customers ○ applies to the exchange of models Toshiba recorder made “RD-A1″ “RD-A300″ “RD-A600″ “RD-A301″ Toshiba-made player “HD-XA1″ “HD-XA2″ “HD-XF2″ ○ contents of the corresponding exchange As of March 1, 1920 from 1920 as of March 31, EDIONGURUPU storefront outlets, If you have a product subject頂けれyour preferred Blu-ray phones (Sony, Panasonic made the Si YAPU made), and HD DVD-compatible models and the difference between the purchase price be borne only by the exchange. . HD DVD-enabled devices to our customers for buys beyond that, above the corresponding content of the future, a postcard, etc. Itineraries separately by bon appétit.

Via [Gizmodo]

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