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What Scorpions Have To Teach Aircraft Designers
First time accepted submitter elloGov writes "The north African desert scorpion, Androctonus australis, is a hardy creature. Most animals that live in deserts dig burrows to protect themselves from the sand-laden wind. Not Androctonus; it usually toughs things out at the surface. Yet when the sand whips by at speeds that would strip paint away from steel, the scorpion is able to scurry off without apparent damage thanks to the unique structure of its carapace. Dr Han Zhiwu of Jilin University and colleagues have found that surface irregularities based on the scorpion's exoskeleton could substantially minimize atmospheric dust damage to aircraft."
They teach aircraft designers that "Rock You Like A Hurricane" fits perfectly at air shows.
...getting you over there.
Planes need a poison-tipped tail to fend of pterodactyl attacks. Until they get one of those they are simply flying coffins.
no, no it would NOT be cool if scorpions could fly D:
(stewardess) Just switch from Hard Rock to the Easy Listening channel.
Any insufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology.
[snip] Ok I just scared myself into never going out again.
And if you are anything like me, that did not really change your life radically
In addition to the fine qualities you listed, we Scorpios are also too smart to believe in astrology.
Do you mean African or European sparrow?
Only dumb birds land downwind.
Hurm... I have a crazy idea...
Anyone have a VW Golf and a ball peen hammer they're willing to part with?
Random Thoughts From A Diseased Mind (Not For Dummies)