Word: capstan
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...faithful reconstruction of a pre-Revolutionary crane, this Rube Goldberg device consists of an upright 30-ft. ash sapling, a block and tackle suspended from a fork at its apex, yards of thick manila rope woven through an assortment of pulleys and a stout ashwood capstan. Today it will raise the final gable, a 20-ft.-long triangle of beams on which roof boards will later rest. Babcock casually knots the free end of the rope around the beams, then signals his crew of four. Under their weight, the groaning capstan turns. The rope creaks. The beams refuse to budge...
...this time, as the men throw their weight against the capstan arm, the rope tightens. Sweat and pine sap scent the air. Slowly, majestically, the triangle of oak swings skyward, hesitates, then settles gracefully on its mount 23 ft. above...
Despite working with several companies--KEE Technologies, Trimble and Capstan--to develop the sprayer this past summer, Mitchell does not stand to make any money from his innovations. Although he tests John Deere products on his farm, he will not sign a contract or do testimonials for any company. "If something that starts in my head is used, that is absolute gratification--it's better than money." In the past few years, Mitchell has traveled the globe, from France to Japan, giving presentations on how wireless and GPS technologies can help farms. He has also been host to a steady...