Big Bridges and Pens in Space

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🌉 Engineering Feats: The Mackinac Bridge

Nestled between the peninsulas of Michigan, the Mackinac Bridge stands as a testament to human ingenuity, an engineering marvel that has quietly watched over the Straits of Mackinac since 1957. It’s not just a bridge; it’s a colossal piece of art, stretching an impressive five miles and surely leaving all dudes who drive across it to say “Woah” afterwards.

But the Mackinac Bridge isn’t content with simply being long. No, it decided to flirt with the impossible, gracefully spanning two Great Lakes—Huron and Michigan—while battling ferocious winds, ice flows, and the occasional curious seagull. The engineers behind this wonder didn’t just build a bridge; they crafted a resilient lifeline, connecting the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan with steel, concrete, and an unyielding spirit.

The bridge itself is so large that an entire repainting of it takes 135,783 gallons of paint, with another 1000 gallons used in other years for simple touch-ups. Mike Rowe, host of our favorite show to watch when we were home sick in elementary school “Dirty Jobs,” filmed an episode about maintaining this bridge and had this daring shot on top of its spire. How neat is that? (anyone remember, Neature Walk?)

So, as you drive across this magnificent structure, take a moment to appreciate the audacity of its creators, who dared to dream of a bridge that would stand as a beacon of progress. Here’s to the Mackinac Bridge—an engineering wonder that, much like the Umarell, quietly oversees the world below, a steadfast guardian of the straits.

Check more on the bridge’s official website here.

🖊️ Gadget of the Week: Fisher Space Pen

Let’s talk about the Fisher Space Pen, a gadget that has boldly gone where no other pen has gone before. Designed in the 1960s by Paul Fisher, this isn’t just any ordinary writing instrument; it’s a pen that laughs in the face of gravity, temperature extremes, and the cold, unforgiving vacuum of space.

Picture this: You’re floating in zero gravity, in the middle of some intergalactic expedition (or maybe just jotting down notes in your office), and your regular pen just can’t cut it. Ink blobs, paper smudges—it’s chaos. Enter the Fisher Space Pen, equipped with a pressurized ink cartridge that can write upside down, underwater, through grease, and in temperatures ranging from -30°F to 250°F. The ink doesn’t just flow; it’s pushed out with the determination of a rocket launch, ensuring a smooth writing experience no matter the conditions.

The Space Pen isn’t just a tool; it’s a testament to human innovation, much like the Mackinac Bridge. The Apollo astronauts relied on these pens during their missions, making it a piece of history you can hold in your hand. This mighty pen has been to the moon and back…literally.

So, next time you’re reaching for a pen, why not choose one with a little extra flair? The Fisher Space Pen is more than just a writing instrument; it’s a small but mighty reminder that even in the most challenging environments, human creativity knows no bounds.

Read more about the Fisher Space Pen from NASA’s perspective here.