As best as I actually understand Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, gravity is simply a curvature in spacetime caused by some mass. Up until I watched a TV show about Einstein tonight I was happy with my limited understanding. Now, I've begun to wonder - what exactly IS space. Mass I sort of have a feel for but if spacetime can be curved, does it have any physical dimension?
The first version of the modern fire extinguisher was invented in the United Kingdom by Captain George William Manby in 1819, consisting of a copper vessel of 3 gallons (13.6 litres) of pearl ash (potassium carbonate) solution under compressed air pressure. The late 19th century saw the invention of the soda-acid extinguisher, where a cylinder contained 1 or 2 gallons of water that had sodium bicarbonate mixed in it. Suspended in the cylinder was a vial containing concentrated sulphuric acid. The vial of acid was broken by one of two means depending on the type of extinguisher. One means involved the use of a plunger that broke the acid vial, while the second involved the release of a lead bung that held the vial closed. Once the acid was mixed with the bicarbonate solution, carbon dioxide gas would be expelled and this would in turn pressurize the water. The pressurized water was forced from the canister through a nozzle or short length of hose. Around 1912 Pyrene pioneered the carbon tetrachloride or CTC extinguisher, where the liquid was expelled from a brass or chrome container by handpump, usually of 1 imperial quart (1.1 L) or 1 imperial pint (0.6 L) capacity but also made in up to 2 imperial gallon (9 L) size, onto a fire. The CTC vapourised and extinguished the flames by chemical reaction. This extinguisher was suitable for liquid and electrical fires and was popular in motor vehicles for the next 60 years. The vapour and combustion by-products were highly toxic and deaths did occur from using these extinguishers in confined spaces.
My budget for my new bike was the same as yours. I ended up getting the Giant TCR C2. I wanted a full Ultegra (or equivalent) bike. Before this, I've ridden a Specialized Allez A1 for 9 years. I shopped around a lot, all the major brands, and the elite brands, and i kept coming back to the Giant. I like the compact geometry, mostly from my mountain biking past. To me fit was the most important thing, so this bike may not be for you. However I'm VERY happy with what I chose.
I bet you've got a raging fire up there huh? You might as well use an entire fire extinguisher instead to satisfy yourself.
