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Go-Devils on Ice!

Poster for the upcoming race.  Less than two weeks left to practice!

 

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15 Comments

  1. Avariel Falcon Avariel Falcon January 14, 2013

    Yay! for Almost safe fun! Yay!

  2. Kimika Ying Kimika Ying January 16, 2013

    I love the poster.  I plan to be there at least half an hour before race time to set out some Go Devils for people to practice on.  Some of those turns are tricky. 

    • Emerson Lighthouse Emerson Lighthouse January 16, 2013

      The risk of careening into a canal wall always adds to the fun!

  3. Garnet Psaltery Garnet Psaltery January 16, 2013

    I regret I shall be late attending as my little dance is taking place until 2pm but I should enjoy witnessing this very much.

     

    Updated:-  I have cancelled the dance so that I and others can attend the races.

  4. Mr Tenk Mr Tenk January 16, 2013

    you have no idea how bad I want to put soft spots in the ice.

    • Arconus Arkright Arconus Arkright January 16, 2013

      Dooooooooo iiiiiiiiiiiiit…

  5. Kimika Ying Kimika Ying January 19, 2013

    A little history….

    The Go Devil was a real thing, 101 years ago on the ice of Irondequoit Bay, near Rochester in New York state.

                                The Go-Devil with Mr. Seeley at the helm.

     

    from The Rochester Herald; Wednesday, January 31, 1912

    On the ice of Irondequoit Bay there was tried out last week what is
    probably the fastest vehicle in the world today. The motor-driven ice
    boat Elbridge Go-Devil
    was timed on trial trips at speeds approximating 140 miles an hour,
    and the driver claimed he dare not use full power, or get anything like
    all possible speed out of the craft. Two hundred miles an hour is what
    the Go-Devil is designed for, and those who have watched her initial
    performance believe she will make that speed when the driver has
    accustomed himself to her antics.

    Lyman Seeley, who is now in possession of the strange craft, said he
    thought riding it might equal the sensation of being tied to tail of a
    comet. There was no chance to look either right of left, but only
    straight ahead, no chance to think except to of holding tight to the
    wheel; not even to wonder what they might strike next. For in the
    rushing, swaying car, gathering speed with every passing second, without
    springs or cushions, ordinary rough spots were magnified a hundred
    times. When the runners hit smooth, glaring ice Go-Devil would skew to
    right or left, perhaps only for a few yards, but it seemed like an
    eternity, before she was straight on the course again.

    (source)

     

    When I made the Babbage version I only had the one side view photo for reference and I see now that some of my assumptions were wrong. I wasn’t too concerned with historical accuracy but when I’m more skilled at creating with mesh I may see how close I can come to the original and still have a working vehicle. One of the things I love about this is that the people who made this wonderfully crazy thing back in 1912 couldn’t have imagined what ripples it would make into the future. I sometimes wonder who will someday rediscover us and our doings while exploring the little corners of history. 

     

    Some additional types of early 20th century ice boats: http://www.oldmarineengine.com/discus/messages/2/119084.html

     

    *goes off to a warm fire and some hot chocolate….*

    • Emerson Lighthouse Emerson Lighthouse January 19, 2013

      That is *so* incredible! I love the photos.

  6. Avariel Falcon Avariel Falcon January 19, 2013

    Must make a unicorn version ^_^

    • Emerson Lighthouse Emerson Lighthouse January 20, 2013

      I could find some rope and tow you for a pretting thrilling ice-skiing ride.

  7. Pilipo Underwood Pilipo Underwood January 21, 2013

    Where is the route published?

    • Emerson Lighthouse Emerson Lighthouse January 21, 2013

      Look for the route to be posted Wednesday night.

  8. Tepic Harlequin Tepic Harlequin January 21, 2013

    Miss Kimi, do they come in urchin sizes? Somethimes these huge vehicles kind of dwarf us! If not, and some of us built one/some, would it be possible for you to put your scripts in them if passed to you? (have to keep a level playing field! hehehe)

    • Kimika Ying Kimika Ying January 22, 2013

      Tepic, in this case it looks like its suited for urchins. I asked Cyan to have a set in it and he fit just fine – didn’t disappear behind the steering wheel or anything like that. Also, he was holding his Dapper Zapper and looked like he was ready to go jousting!  That’s a possible sport I hadn’t thought of.

      • Tepic Harlequin Tepic Harlequin January 22, 2013

        wonderful! Look forward to the racing! :-)

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