The History of Roller Coasters Essay -- Roller Coasters Amusement Park

The History of Roller Coasters Everyone remembers their first ride on a roller coaster, an experience of terror, joy and excitement, as you tower over amusement parks going through curves and loops. From wooden wonders and steel coasters to twisters and corkscrews, the great rides began with the Russian ice slides in the 17th century and have developed into the ultimate thrill machines of today. The origins of the roller coaster will probably never be a settled issue, historians and coaster enthusiasts could argue where it all began (Harris). The success and evolution of the roller coaster and white-knuckle ride has inextricably mirrored the growth and changing perception of the amusement park industry over the years. A period of intense innovation and development in roller coaster science have been interrupted by long periods of decline and neglect, but with each era comes a new success for coasters. Many inventors have aided to the progression of roller coasters and what they are today and it is important t o understand what they have done. There are many inventors who have contributed to the advancements of roller coasters and each of them have had a huge impact on what roller coasters are today. The earliest inventor would be August John Mueller, known as John Miller professionally, who was born in Homewood, Illinois in 1874. At the age of 19 Miller started working with a man named LaMarcus Thompson and became his chief engineer. By 1911, Miller was a consultant to the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC), where he designed more than a dozen coasters for PTC, including the mammoth Giant Coaster at Paragon Park in Nantasket Beach, Massachusetts. During the late twenties and the Depression years Miller was associate... ...r Coaster Thrills in 3-D. Distributed by Goldhil Video, Thousand Oaks, CA 1994. (ES) Bennett, David (1998). Roller Coaster: Wooden and Steel Coasters, Twisters, and Corkscrews. New Jersey: Cartwell Books, Inc. (SS) Harris, Tom (1998). How Roller Coasters Work. http://howstuffworks.com/roller-coaster.htm [Accessed 9 April 2002]. (PS) Rathe, Andrew. Coaster – World.com. 2001. http://www.coaster-world.com/index.php. [Accessed 15 April 2002]. (ES) Sandy, Adam (1996). Roller Coasters. http://ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/ [Accessed 9 April 2002]. (PS) Silverstein, Herma. Scream Machines: Roller Coasters Past, Present and Future. New York: Walker, 1986. (PS) Throgmorton, Todd H. Roller Coasters of America. Osceola, Wis.: Motorbooks International, 1994. (PS) Wiese, Jim. Roller Coaster Science. New York: John Wiley, 1994. (PS)

Dracula Queer Theory

The existence of alien and intolerable behavior generates fear into society’s mentality of the expected conduct. But does the ‘queer’ lurk under the bed? Or is it a part of all of us? The classic text â€Å"Dracula†, written by Bram Stoker, is valuable in understanding the course of society in its exploration of tabooed acts and mentalities, supported by the â€Å"Queer Theory† prevalent in the mid 1900’s. Although the queer theory describes the author’s subconscious drive for homosexual and feministic expression, Stoker’s stand point, however, is to highlight society’s vulnerability caused by their oppression of individuality and lack of conformity. Through this text we have been able to understand the flaws in a conformist society where individuality and the â€Å"different† are oppressed. Each community has their own particular morals and ethics, and when the actions of the different penetrates and ‘influences’ these expectations, those in power result to force in order to restore the original values that were compromised. Stoker’s warning of the supernatural feared the people of his century, anyone who appeared or acted ‘differently’ to what was expected, as represented through the characters in Dracula. It has been rumored that Dracula extends the element of the â€Å"Queer Theory† to a whole distinct level. Through analysis of Dracula’s behaviors, it is questioned whether or not Dracula indeed was queer himself. Besides the supernatural and gothic abilities that he encompassed, Dracula showed evidence of homosexuality. When the Count saw my face, his eyes blazed in some sort of demonic fury† (Page 33), is evident of the desire for blood, which according to the ‘Queer Theory’ symbolizes his confused sexual desire for men. Dracula thus represents the disturbance in masculinity, as he enters his femininity; a further demonstration of the 1900’s ‘Queer Theory. ’ Therefore it can be argued that Dracula is valued by the social outcas ts of modern society as it gives hope to those who choose the express their individuality. Unusual behaviors are often intolerably indicated within a society that has strict expectations and values. Stoker’s upbringing revolved around women who were independent in their own ways, however societies expectations disallowed this aspect of humanity as men where thought to be the masculine and dominant figure. The queer theory suggests that Bram Stoker concealed his â€Å"mismatch of gender roles, sex and desires† (Judith Butler, 1994) due to the clashes of his personal upbringing with society’s expectations. Women being the submissive and weak figures reflected through the words of Stoker as he portrayed this bewilderedness through Dracula who himself becomes weak at any sense of unassertive or dominant sex. Dracula’s confusion is evident as he seduces the ‘devoted’ Lucy where he demonstrates the authoritative paternal figure yet. However, when he portrays his desire and possession of Jonathan, claiming â€Å"he belongs to [him]† (Page 46), he symbolizes the feminine teenage girl who has a fascination with the opposite sex.

Obesity in African American Culture Essay

?Obesity has more that just a physical effect on the body. Obesity also greatly affects the mental and emotional part of the body as well. Although you cannot directly correlate metal and emotional health to obesity, you can see that its effects do in fact play a role in the mental and emotional health of an obese person. While the effects of obesity do indeed reach out to all races, it is easy to see that mental and emotional problems from obesity in the African American culture are present in the culture. Depression, anxiety, and discrimination, are all results that are caused by obesity in the African American community. Many people are familiar with depression, whether it be a friend or family member that went through it or that they themselves went though it. â€Å"Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can have a negative effect on a person’s thoughts, behavior, feelings, world view and physical well-being† (Salmans 1997). African American obesity has a close tie with depression in African American people. When people are self-conscious about their weight they may think that people look down on them for this. This would cause them to think less of themselves or believe that others are better then them. In turn it can cause the obese African American to have a bad view of themselves, other people, and the world in general. This is exactly what depression is. You can see that depression can be caused by obesity in the African American culture. Anxiety is another emotional distress many people are familiar with. Anxiety is know as, â€Å"the displeasing feeling of fear and concern† (Davison 2008). Many people have felt the effects of anxiety in their own lives, whether it is before an important test, a speech in front of many people, or the big gam; many people feel anxiety. Looking only at anxiety caused by obesity in African American people is a different situation. Anxiety or nervousness before a big event is common and in many ways healthy because it motivates us to do the very best we can. Anxiety in African Americans because of obesity is not healthy; in fact it can be dangerous and destructive. By feeling displeased and concerned about their weight African Americans can struggle all through out life to over come these feelings. It could limit their goals and overall make them settle for less then they really can do. Anxiety do to obesity in the African American community is not a healthy and can severely constrain someone’s life. Discrimination in the African American community has always been a problem through out history. Slavery is a very obvious product of discrimination. Taking a more specific look at discrimination of the African American community because of obesity is a different situation. When people discriminate African Americans because of their weight it seriously prohibits their chances of succeeding in life. It could be in the work place or at school. By placing these barriers we are limiting the ability of the African American community and hurting their chances of having a successful and meaningful life. These mental and emotional effects of obesity in the African American community are unfair and wrong. People should not be judged on their weight. Davison, Gerald C. (2008). Abnormal Psychology. Toronto: Veronica Visentin. p. 154. ISBN 978-0-470-84072-6. Salmans, Sandra (1997). Depression: Questions You Have – Answers You Need. People’s Medical Society. ISBN 978-1-882606-14-6.

Wallace Carothers essays

Wallace Carothers essays Wallace Carothers was born in Iowa(1896). He was the oldest of four siblings. After high school Carothers studied acconting at Capital City. He then went to Tarkio College in Missiouri where he studied science and taught accounting. He graduated in 1920 then got his master from the University of Illiniois the following year. He took a teaching post at The University of South Dakota, and there began working on organic chemistry, He found he liked research far more than teaching. He obtained his PhD from the University of Illinois in 1924. He became an instructor at Harvard. In 1928, The DuPont chemical company opened a labortory for basic research and hired Carothers as the manager of a whole division. There he and his team created neoprene(1931) and nylon(1934). Through his whole life he suffered from depression. In 1936 he maried Helen Sweetman and had a daughter, but never met her. In 1937 his favorite sister died which added to his deprresion and his eventual suicide in April of that same year ...

Rhetorical Analysis Essays (1269 words) - Biology, Charles Darwin

Rhetorical Analysis Essays (1269 words) - Biology, Charles Darwin Kennedy Sims @02839811 English March 1 st . 2019 Rhetorical Analysis Biology is a subject that has always intrigued me. It is the major of studies that I took up at Howard University and in some way, it is what I want to use in my everyday life at work. The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin is one of the most prominent books in the biology field. It is biological literature considered to be the foundation for Evolutionary Biology. It introduces the scientific theory that populations evolve over the course of generations through the process of natural selection. This book contains scientific evidence to back up his claim and is aimed at the general public and secular individuals as an alternative to what the church believed and as an explanation of the origin of life. Charles Darwin used this book The Origin of Species to express his findings on how life came to be and explain the phenomenon of genetic similarities in different animal types. The book submitted evidence from an expedition in the 1830s and explanation for all his findings as well as names and details about the process. His explanation produced a body of evidence that the diversity of life came by common descent through a branching pattern of evolution. In the book, Darwin shares the concept of natural selection or "Survival of the fittest" as putting in his book on page 63 and argues that species are susceptible to change because of natural selection. This theory helps as a basis of knowledge further in the history of biology and as a biology major is something that I have studied at Howard University. The phenomena of natural selection are taught in grade schools as the reasoning of evolutionary change and it is all thanks in part to Charles Darwin and his book. Darwin do es note that he is not the first person to notice an evolutionary change but his way of processing it and his reasoning for why is what makes him different. Darwin did not write his book to be solely for academia and although he is a wildly respected and achieved academic his findings affected the world and he knew that. Knowing this he sets up the book in a very readable way and is very explanatory in what he says. He even goes as far as to give a disclaimer and say " I cannot here give references and authorities for my several statements; and I must trust to the reader reposing some, confidence in my accuracy" as to say that he is just presenting the research that he has found and drawing his conclusion and it is up to the reader whether or not they believe him and want to believe this conclusion based on the evidence presented. This book was wildly accepted as a reasonable explanation for evolution and the process of genetic changes by academics and seculars alike. The early parts of the book explain his theory in detail while the ending part is more of a defense against any critics that could or have to arouse to doubt his th eory. When writing this book, I feel the main purpose of Darwin was education and knowing what really happens on the planet we inhabit. He wanted to spread the knowledge that he had found and wanted to showcase what has happened before and what will essentially happen again. When writing this Darwin faced a lot of criticism and skepticism from people who did not believe what he believed to be so true. The church was a big roadblock in the face of evolution because of their belief system. Darwin's beliefs were labeled as Darwinism and something that should not be believed in or associated with if you were a part of the church. His theory of descent with modification and the belief that people could have evolved from another species goes against everything the church was teaching and therefore to them was incorrect and even blasphemous. He also takes the time to address and inconsistencies that might be in his findings and do not relate with other scientific findings. He goes in depth about the inconsistencies and why they are there and

Not All Memes are Bad

Not All Memes are Bad Not All Memes are Bad Not All Memes are Bad By Maeve Maddox I’ve recently become interested in the concept of the meme (rhymes with seem). The word was coined by British biological theorist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. Dawkins is an evolutionist. He argues that the human mind evolves in a manner similar to biological natural selection. He wanted a word similar to gene to describe the way ideas and beliefs spread and mutate. He bases the word meme on a Greek word meaning â€Å"something imitated.† We need a name for the new replicator, a noun that conveys the idea of a unit of cultural transmission, or a unit of imitation. He gives examples: Examples of memes are tunes, ideas, catch-phrases, clothes fashions, ways of making pots or of building arches. Just as genes propagate themselves in the gene pool by leaping from body to body via sperms or eggs, so memes propagate themselves in the meme pool by leaping from brain to brain via a process which, in the broad sense, can be called imitation. Here’s the definition given in the OED: meme:  A cultural element or behavioural trait whose transmission and consequent persistence in a population, although occurring by non-genetic means (esp. imitation), is considered as analogous to the inheritance of a gene. The word meme and the idea behind it is itself a meme and has propagated a new branch of science called memetics. The new memeticists have expanded Dawkins’ original definition and are not presently in total agreement as to what exactly meme means. Outside the scientific realm, the word meme is used to describe the replication of words, phrases, and ideas on the internet. In this context it refers to the item that â€Å"goes viral.† Scientists are also quick to compare the meme to a virus or a parasite. I question the wisdom of this method of explaining the action of the meme in a scientific context. It fosters a negative attitude towards the word that does not apply to its sister word gene. virus: fig. and in figurative contexts: a harmful or corrupting influence; (a form of) moral or intellectual perniciousness. Also in weakened use: a phenomenon liable to spread rapidly and pervasively. OED Memes, like genes, should be studied as objectively as possible. Not all genes are â€Å"good.† Not all memes are â€Å"bad.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:How to Format a UK Business LetterWriting the CenturyEnglish Grammar 101: Sentences, Clauses and Phrases

Global Governance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Global Governance - Essay Example The conclusion contains brief recommendations for action to make free trade really "free". An initial look at the term globalisation implies that some "thing" or "phenomenon" is spreading throughout the globe and in the process becoming "global", or globalising. Whilst diseases, ideas, information, or even weather disturbances can go global, the current usage of the term "globalisation" is in reference to free trade in goods, services, and labour among the world's nations. Thus, globalisation and free trade are understood to be one and the same. Micklethwait and Wooldridge (2000) described globalisation (p. xvi) as the "integration of the world economy, reshaping business and reordering the lives of individuals, creating social classes, different jobs, unimaginable wealth and, occasionally, wretched poverty." Stiglitz defined it earlier (2002, p. 164) as "the integration of countries and peoples of the world brought about by the enormous reduction of transportation and communication costs, and the breaking down of artificial barriers to the flow of goods, services, capital, knowledge, and people across borders." The use of "integration" in both definitions implies a reference to a previous state marked by separation. Integration in the context of international trade signifies that economic and business laws, political systems, cultural differences, and all other factors that act as barriers to the economic relationship amongst nations are minimised or removed, made compatible and attractive enough for trade to take place. Free trade amongst nations is not a recent phenomenon. It has been going on for centuries, and as discussed in the next section, it has caused prosperity and poverty, sometimes becoming a prelude to wars as nations battled each other for supremacy. Trade amongst nations was pretty straightforward, regulated by the law of supply and demand and bartering. But as societies became complex and the control of wealth shifted from nobles to industrialists, the world's socio-economic order underwent a radical shift as the growth in populations increase the pressure for governments to satisfy the people (Yergin et al., 1998, p. 189). The driving force of free trade was Britain, the world's superpower in the 18th and 19th centuries. British goods were traded all over the globe, made from materials extracted from colonies that spanned an empire where the sun never sets. Law and order were maintained by a powerful army and navy that kept trade routes safe. London's financial system dipped its fingers into every business pie. Understandably, Britain sowed the intellectual seeds of globalisation and free trade, inspired by the works of Adam Smith (The Wealth of Nations, 1776), David Ricardo (On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation, 1817), and James Stuart Mill (Elements of Political Economy, 1821). Smith emphasised the invisible hand of free markets that