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The 1915 New York Subway Disaster
It was rush hour in New York City on the morning of January 6, 1915, when the worst disaster, up until that time, occurred in the underground subway system, injuring 210 people and killing one.
Insulation that was wrapped around two electrical cables which provided electric power to the midtown subway system suddenly shorted out, causing a fire and a blackout. The cables were not fireproof. Toxic smoke permeated the underground tunnels that, lacking electricity, were plunged into darkness.
Over 2500 people were trapped inside very smoky subway cars and on station platforms. Feelings of panic and desperation grew. Everyone had one objective - to get above ground to fresh air and safety.
The firemen who were working the underground part of the rescue found passengers struggling to get out of trains. However, with no electricity, passengers found it very hard to pry open the train doors. Other victims lay on the floors of the train cars having been asphyxiated from the smoke were getting trampled on.
Firemen handed people onto ladders to bring them up to street-level for emergency aid. Some victims had to be hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
Firemen who were working at street level attempted to break through the tops of subway cars.
Firemen who were working the underground part of the rescue quickly found themselves overcome with smoke and came up to street-level to get medical aid.
As soon as they recovered, they went back to help passengers find their way out the heavy acrid smoke.
Streetside spectators in automobiles caused traffic jams as they slowed down to watch the scene.
On the street, spectators abandoned their cars to watch the firemen bring victims up to the street.
The power was restored to the underground by 4:00pm, just in time for the evening rush hour.
However, subway service was messed up for a few days until trains returned to their normal schedules.
Although there was one death, everyone agreed that this could have been a much bigger tragedy. Some armchair experts believe this disaster could have been avoided by using fireproof insulation.
But as Frank Hedley, general manager of the Interborough Rapid Transit System said: "There is nothing known which will prevent the recurrence of short circuits. New York received a warning, the next occurrence may be a far more serious loss of life due to the same cause - suffocation. No time should be lost remedying the most serious defect - lack of suitable ventilation at all times."
Here are the headlines of some of the newspapers who covered the story. The New York Times recapped the story the next day, January 7, 1915, then sort of downplayed it after the crisis was over and services were restored.
The Evening World reported that experts were brought in to remove all perils from the tunnel to prevent another subway disaster.
The Star Independent reported that preparations were being made to dynamite the streets to let air into the subway tunnels.
The above video clip is an interesting 2-minute video about the origins of the New York subway. Take note of the vintage 1915's clothing as people got on and off the subway trains.
If you are really interested in history, this is a 46-minute documentary from 1994 on the History Channel about the origins and building of the New York City subway system with Roger Mudd and Jack Perkins.
Please share our posts with your friends so they can enjoy our websites too. Thank you.
https://nowyouknowthis2.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-1915-new-york-subway-disaster.html
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| The New York Times recapped the story the next day on January 7, 1915 |
Insulation that was wrapped around two electrical cables which provided electric power to the midtown subway system suddenly shorted out, causing a fire and a blackout. The cables were not fireproof. Toxic smoke permeated the underground tunnels that, lacking electricity, were plunged into darkness.
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| Firemen recovering from smoke inhalation January 6, 1915 |
Firemen handed people onto ladders to bring them up to street-level for emergency aid. Some victims had to be hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
Firemen who were working at street level attempted to break through the tops of subway cars.
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| Breaking through the subway roof from the street January 6, 1915 |
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| Firemen resting on street level January 6, 1915 |
As soon as they recovered, they went back to help passengers find their way out the heavy acrid smoke.
The scene above ground was bedlam as well. Police held back the rubber-neckers - spectators - because they were pushing and shoving others and looking for relatives who rode the subway to get to their workplaces.
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| Crowds of spectators looking through sidewalk grills at the commotion on the subway below |
Streetside spectators in automobiles caused traffic jams as they slowed down to watch the scene.
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| The street scene above the subway on January 6, 1915 |
However, subway service was messed up for a few days until trains returned to their normal schedules.
Although there was one death, everyone agreed that this could have been a much bigger tragedy. Some armchair experts believe this disaster could have been avoided by using fireproof insulation.
But as Frank Hedley, general manager of the Interborough Rapid Transit System said: "There is nothing known which will prevent the recurrence of short circuits. New York received a warning, the next occurrence may be a far more serious loss of life due to the same cause - suffocation. No time should be lost remedying the most serious defect - lack of suitable ventilation at all times."
Here are the headlines of some of the newspapers who covered the story. The New York Times recapped the story the next day, January 7, 1915, then sort of downplayed it after the crisis was over and services were restored.
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| The New York Times January 7, 1915 with stories laying blame |
The Evening World reported that experts were brought in to remove all perils from the tunnel to prevent another subway disaster.
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| The Evening World headlines January 7, 1915 stirring up public fears |
The Star Independent reported that preparations were being made to dynamite the streets to let air into the subway tunnels.
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| The Star Independent headlines and details of one death |
The above video clip is an interesting 2-minute video about the origins of the New York subway. Take note of the vintage 1915's clothing as people got on and off the subway trains.
If you are really interested in history, this is a 46-minute documentary from 1994 on the History Channel about the origins and building of the New York City subway system with Roger Mudd and Jack Perkins.
Please share our posts with your friends so they can enjoy our websites too. Thank you.
https://nowyouknowthis2.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-1915-new-york-subway-disaster.html
Philippines National Flag
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| Philippines National Flag
The Philippines national flag is the only national flag that is flown differently during times of war and times of peace. The flag's rectangular design consists of a white equilateral triangle, which symbolizing liberty, equality, and fraternity; a horizontal blue stripe which symbolizes peace, truth, and justice; and a horizontal red stripe for patriotism and valor.
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Short Women Likely To Be Killed By Imploding Air Bags
In
a news story from November 1996 in the Baltimore Sun:
When
Susan Hayes skidded off the road into a drainage ditch in 1996, the
air bag in her Mazda Miata slammed into her head and broke her neck.
The 5-foot-2-inch, 29-year-old Baltimore woman spent six weeks in a
coma and eight weeks in intensive care. She was wearing a seat belt
in the crash.
It
was the air bag that caused her the most injuries. Her 4-year-old son
was in the front passenger seat next to her with a seat belt, but the
seat did not have an air bag option.
While
the risk that air bags pose to children has attracted national
attention, that danger has overshadowed the fact that bags also can
injure and kill adults, particularly short women.
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| Imploding airbag broke Susan Hayes neck |
The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has warned for
some time that women, especially those over 70 who may be frail, are
among the adults most at risk of being killed by air bags.
Deaths
from air bags are also likely to be under-reported, partly because
the NHTSA has focused on reducing the deaths of children from air
bags.
Because
air bags are required to pass a federal safety test involving an
unbelted dummy representing a 164-pound adult male in a 30 mph crash,
air bags deploy with explosive force, even in fender benders.
The
air bags, which come out of the dashboard or steering column at 200
mph, have saved hundreds of lives, but the powerful devices also are
blamed for the deaths of at least 47 people who would otherwise have
walked away from their accidents.
You
can read more about short people and the challenges of driving here:
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Remedies for Dry Cracked Feet
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| Home remedies for cracked feet |
If you don't know what causes dry cracked feet before you can apply any remedies, or if you are doing something that contributes to the cause, no remedy is going to help get rid of the condition.
CAUSES:
1) Standing on your feet for too long
2) Fluid retention followed by fluid reduction
3) Obesity
4) Cold weather
5) Caustic soaps
6) Excessive exposure to water (i.e. soaking feet routinely, not drying thoroughly after bathing, leaving oils and creams on skin instead or blending into skin until dry)
7) Rough towels and bed linens
8) Certain medications
9) Not using moisturizer
10) Psoriasis or other skin conditions
Most of the current remedies concentrate on a moisturizing regimen. Vaseline was the most recommended moisturizer.
Here is a short video with some remedies. Click the square at the bottom right of the video screen to view it full screen.
As you can see, prevention is the best remedy.
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| Good fitting shoes and good socks help cracked skin |
Try to avoid exposing your feet to extremely hot or extremely cold weather by wearing the right footwear - good fitting shoes and dry socks, no matter what the weather is.
If you take baths, avoid using very hot water because it will dry out your skin. Check the soap or bath salts that you are using to see if it has sulfate or fragrances listed in the ingredients because both are drying agents.
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| Foot Magic scrub moisturizes cracked feet |
Moisturize your feet two or three times a day and then put on socks so your skin retains the moisturizer. If you get pedicures, inquire if you can add a paraffin wax treatment at an appointment. It isn't a permanent fix, but it will provide some relief for a few days.
For extremely dry cracked skin, you may need to get a prescription for steroid cream. If that isn't to your liking, consider using a liquid bandage to seal the cracks in your skin and prevent infections. Spray it on, put socks on, and forget about it. The liquid coating dries fast. It is available over the counter. No prescription needed.
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| Liquid bandage relief for cracked feet |
There is a DIY remedy circulating on the Internet saying that super glue has had good success. Considering that super glue seals things so well that they will never un-glue, there was a study done in the late 1990's where patients put three drops of super glue on each crack, then allowed it to seal. A week later the cracks were closed. We can't attest to the pain level because pain is different for everyone. So if you try it, write in the comments and let us know how it worked out for you.
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| Baby Foot Peel is a chemical peel |
The 1990's treatment has gone viral in 2018. Users have raved about the strips of dead skin that peel off after using the product, leaving their skin softer.
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| This gives you an idea of the cost of Baby Foot Peel |
Here’s how it works: After soaking your feet, you wear the booties for an hour, letting the natural extracts and fruit acids soak in. About one to two weeks later, users say the dead skin starts to peel off in sheets, revealing soft “baby-like” feet. Such big claims need a user to write a comment to let us know if it is true.
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| DIY Remedies |
Regularly exfoliating and applying moisturizing foot cream can help treat and prevent flaky, itchy, dry feet. Many experts recommend soaking your feet first in warm water to soften the skin, then using an exfoliating scrub to gently remove dead skin. To treat rough, dry or cracked heels, follow up with a moisturizer such as Gold Bond Triple-Action Foot Cream or Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Foot Magic with vitamin E.
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| Pumice stone removes dry skin and calluses |
A pumice stone removes dry, dead skin and calluses. This lightweight volcanic rock has a rough, porous texture that is perfect for sloughing off dead skin. Use it in the shower or after a bath a few times a week, rubbing the rougher areas of the feet to exfoliate. Follow up with moisturizer to seal.
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How To Become Mentally Stronger
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| 12 steps for a stronger mind |
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Unique Fact About Pineapples
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| Benefits of Pineapples |
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20 Interesting Facts About Dogs And Puppies
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| 20 facts about puppies and dogs |
20 Interesting things about man’s best four-legged friend.
1. An adult dog has 42 teeth.
2. A dog’s sense of smell is more than 1 million times stronger than that of a person.
3. One in 3 families in the United States owns a dog.
4. Spaying or neutering your dog can help prevent certain types of cancer.
5. If never spayed or neutered, a pair of dogs can produce 66,000 puppies in 6 years.
6. A dog’s sense of hearing is 10 times more accurate than that of a person.
7. The average dog can run about 19 miles per hour at full speed.
8. Dogs are mentioned 14 times in the Bible.
9. A dog’s nose print is one of a kind, very similar to a person’s fingerprint.
10. The average body temperature for a dog is 101.2.
11. With an average lifespan of just over 11 years, the typical dog costs $13,500.
12. The only sweat glands a dog has are between its toes.
13. Dogs are omnivorous; they need to eat more than just meat.
14. Dogs have twice as many ear muscles as people.
15. Dogs will be submissive to anyone they feel is higher up in the pack.
16. People have been keeping dogs for pets for 12,000 years.
17. A female dog carries her puppies for about 60 days before they are born.
18. It is a myth that dogs are color blind; they actually see color, just not as vividly as a person.
19. Obesity is the number-one health problem in dogs.
20. Seventy percent of people sign their pets name on greeting/holiday cards.
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Women Smile More Than Men
It takes 37 muscles to frown. And 22 muscles to smile. So Smile and conserve some energy.
According to Buzz Feed, the average woman smiles 62 times a day while the average man smiles only 8 times a day.
We smile when funny things happen, or when we spend time with people we like or love, or when we find pleasure in the things we do.
Did you know if you smile while talking on the phone, it makes you sound friendly?
Smiles are very powerful. Smiling can reduce stress, lower your blood pressure and thereby makes your brain healthier.
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According to Buzz Feed, the average woman smiles 62 times a day while the average man smiles only 8 times a day.
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| Smiling - men vs women |
We smile when funny things happen, or when we spend time with people we like or love, or when we find pleasure in the things we do.
Did you know if you smile while talking on the phone, it makes you sound friendly?
Smiles are very powerful. Smiling can reduce stress, lower your blood pressure and thereby makes your brain healthier.
Thanks for stopping by. Here's our link. Please share it with your friends so they can enjoy our websites too. Thanks!
https://nowyouknowthis2.blogspot.com/2018/08/women-smile-more-than-men.html
7 Animals That Are Eaten Alive
SHRIMP
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| Certain shrimp dishes call for live shrimp |
The dish called "drunken shrimp" is very popular in China. The shrimp are drowned in booze before they are served alive. The liquor not only makes them quite flavorful, but it also makes them just drunk enough that they don't jump out of the bowl. But just in case, a plate covers the bowl until they are served on the table.
SEA URCHINS
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| Sea urchins are served while alive |
The needles on their backs don't make sea urchins look very inviting, but people all over the world love them for their fishy flavor. Although they can be eaten alone, most connoisseurs prefer to eat them immediately after they are added to other foods, like sushi, or right after they are cut open. It's not unusual to see a waiter bring scissors or spears with a platter of live sea urchins.
FROGS
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| Live frogs on the menu |
The Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods" has some pretty strange menus like frog sashimi. By the time it is served (raw), most of the frog is dead, so diners begin the meal by eating the frog's still-beating heart.
GRUBS AND INSECTS
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| Grubs are served live on survival TV shows |
I knew I was going to have a problem after I started researching this piece. You have finally come to the part of this post where my personal tastes are going to be interjected into this narrative.
On reality shows like "Survivor" or "Fear Factor," there is almost always a task that involves eating something alive - and the task rarely calls for eating just one.
Even though eating raw live insects and animals is normal in many countries of the world, if you have never eaten anything raw that is still wiggling, you might have a problem completing the task.
Without a doubt, I would not survive on the TV show "Survivor." I'd be dead either from the environment or the diet (or lack of). As for trying new foods, if it didn't come in a labeled supermarket meat package and look like chicken or beef, I don't eat it.
No matter how delicious the live "food" is supposed to be, anything that is still wiggling on its way to my mouth probably won't make it inside of my mouth. I know I am not alone. There are a lot of people in this world who can't or won't eat live moving food, insects or animals.
But it's normal in certain countries, like Australia, China, and Japan.
OYSTERS
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| Oysters are eaten raw |
Oysters on the half shell are supposed to be the healthiest when eaten raw and alive.
OCTOPUS
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| Live octopus is eaten raw |
The Korea dish called Sannakji is a live octopus, served either cut up or whole, still sucking, grasping, wiggling and squirming on the plate. Gourmet food magazines say "diners enjoy the feeling of the still-active suction cups on the octopus' arms as they suction cups stick to the roof of their mouth and after swallowed, the octopus' attempt to climb back up their throat. Novices are advised to chew before swallowing to avoid choking."
FISH
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| Some fish is served with the heart still beating |
In Japan, fish that are prepared for sashimi while still alive are called "ikizukuri." The fish is typically filleted without actually being killed and served while the heart is still beating and the mouth is still gasping.
Sometimes the fish is temporarily returned to an aquarium to swim around and recover for a second round.
Another dish, popular in China, is called "yin yang fish," in which the fish's body is rapidly deep-fried and served while the head is still fresh and moving. Need proof? Check out this video of a freshly served yin yang fish.
https://youtu.be/2BYPuLnAscA
Sometimes the fish is temporarily returned to an aquarium to swim around and recover for a second round.
Another dish, popular in China, is called "yin yang fish," in which the fish's body is rapidly deep-fried and served while the head is still fresh and moving. Need proof? Check out this video of a freshly served yin yang fish.
https://youtu.be/2BYPuLnAscA
Sources:
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