HIST 100: Engineering The Past

Prownian Method of Analysis: Logan

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Prownian Analysis of a Miscellaneous Bathroom Item

Description: I found a small elongated cylinder about 8 inches tall and weighing about 75-100 grams. The container has a grey body and a red cap, the bottom of the object has a twistable ring that rises and lowers the contents of the cylinder. The cylinder contains is a gel like blue solid with a distinct fresh and slightly floral smell. The contents have a moist texture but seems to dry quite fast without leaving any residue behind.

Deduction: Because of where I found it, it would seem to be some sort of hygiene tool used to keep the user smelling fresh and clean with its scent. The adjustable bottom allows for the contents to be lifted up once it has been used, similar to the way chapstick works. Also like chapstick, the contents must be rubbed on the skin in order to be applied by the user. The scent as well as the quick drying of the contents leads me to think that it would be applied to places on the human body that produce odor and sweat.

Speculation: This bathroom object is small in size which makes it convenient to bring in the car, to the gym, on camping trips, etc. Maybe this item is used by poorer people who can’t afford the luxury of showering and good hygiene, so this helps hide foul odors or maybe it is used by lazy people who don’t like to or want to shower. Athletes might use this after practice or game since they have worked up a sweat and are starting to smell.

  1. What ingredients help neutralize odors and prevent the user from smelling foul?
  2. Which smells are most refreshing and what demographic chooses what scents more?
  3. Why is the composition of the contents hard, yet moist and easily rubbed off while using?

Peer Review Citation and Reliable Article Citation

Ballarin, B., A. Mignani, F. Mogavero, S. Gabbanini, and M. Morigi. 2015. “Hybrid material based on ZnAl hydrotalcite and silver nanoparticles for deodorant formulation.” Applied Clay Science 114, 303-308. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed January 21, 2016).

Synopsis: The author explains the chemical make-up of what molecules are the key ingredients in neutralizing odors in deodorant. Commonly used zinc ricinoleate is the leading ingredient in commercial deodorizers but after testing a new hybridized material called (ZnAl–Ag NPs ) based on silver nanoparticles and ZnAl layered double hydroxides (ZnAl LDHs) on gram-negative bacteria, the new material has a higher deodorant activity than the prior material, zinc ricinoleate. The author focused mainly on the chemical make-up of what makes deodorant work and also compared new possible ingredients that will better the activity of deodorizers. The explanation of how they tested on the bacteria with different types of equipment helps the reader understand the science behind neutralizing the odor causing bacteria which is the basis of why these products are made.

Fontanez, S. 2008. “Body Odor Through the Ages: A Brief History of Deodorant.” Mental Floss Magazine. (accessed January 21, 2016).

Synopsis: Since the beginning of time, humans have dealt with foul odors and tried to cover them up. Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all figured the best way to cover the odors was by using perfumes and fragrances to mask the scent such as incense, carob, aromatic oils and waxes. In the middle ages, the people who couldn’t afford perfumes stank all their lives because being naked was considered a sin even for bathing. In 1888, the first commercial deodorizer was sold but its main ingredient, Aluminum Chloride, irritated the skin and dissolved clothes. It wasn’t until the 1960s when the first aerosol, Right Guard, was made which created the billion-dollar industry we have today. The author checked the history behind deodorant as far back as the Egyptians and researched to see how humans dealt with odor since the dawn of time. She also checked more recent history on which commercial products helped revolutionize the industry and which products were stepping stones to what we see on the shelves today.

The Prownian Method: Kyle Mitsunaga

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Prownian Method: Kyle Mitsunaga

Step 1 Description: This object is about 5 to 6 inches long, there appears to be a charging input built into this object. I also notice that this object has an oddly shaped head with razors on it. Looking closer to the razor it seems as if they are very sharp. The object at room temperature is not hot or cold to the touch. The object looks as if there has been some technological thought put into it. This object looks sturdy and durable that will last you a while if taken good care of.

Step 2 Deduction: The user of this object seems as if it would be a male or female. It would be safe to say that this object may be use by males that are older than 15 years old, with little leeway. Since there is a built in charger with a cord I could say that this person could use it if they were to travel. Also professionals could use this object.

Step 3 Speculation: Maybe the person or male that is using this object is trying to clean up his look. Going hand in hand with that maybe this person is looking to just trim a beard. Maybe the person that is using this object is a professional and needs this object to be able to carry out his or hers performance. The person that owns this electric razor understands how to use it, and know how to take care of the blades such as oiling it down from time to time.

 

Questions about the electrical razor:

  1. Does the buyer of this object need instructions on how to operate it?
  2. Are younger kids safe to use it? Is there any danger hazards relating to the product?
  3. Are there different techniques how to use this product?
  4. How does one electrical razor differ from competitors?
  5. Does the shape make a difference for what you are using for?

 

 

Bibliography

“Effectiveness of Razors Put to the Test.” Dermatology Nursing 14, no. 6 (December 2002): 413. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed January 20, 2016).

 

In this peer reviewed article it tackles the scientific side of razors whether it be electrical or not. We get an understanding what razors are better for your skin and which one dermatologist suggest.

 

 

“The Razor Blade: History’s Cutting Edge : Culture: Scientists Know ThatAncient Man Shaved. But the Razor Was an Undocumented Implement until 1290.” Los Angeles Times. 1992. Accessed January 20, 2016. http://articles.latimes.com/1992-07-26/news/vw-4938_1_razor-blade-edge.

 

This article the author focuses on the history of the razor going all the way back to when they first tested it out. Furthermore we learn about Gillette the razor company and how they went from selling 50 razors to 300,000 razors.

 

Additional Information:

 

In the web based article found in the Los Angeles Times the author makes it clear the history of the razor. The razor industry stated in the article “was thriving by the 18th century.” I connected this with the prownian method just by how quickly this industry because a vital part of our culture. I believe it is safe to say that most males and females that are the appropriate age would have had an experience using a razor whether it is electric or not. It is material culture since we use them frequently and most people today own one.

 

My peer-reviewed article took a different approach that made it a little harder to connect it to the prownian method. Like I said it took on the science on which razor is better for your skin. As we see new technology we are soon going to see new ideas with razors in the future I’m sure. In a since this razor phenomena is something that is so simple but yet such a huge part of our culture. People would look different today if we didn’t have razors; therefore it’s something that is connected to us, and our culture as a whole.

 

 

1.2 Bridges by Pete Cook

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Hey y’all! The purpose of this post is to:

  • briefly compares and contrasts the two bridges’ designs, environs, and how people choose to frame and depict the bridges in their photos;
  • hypothesizes what the differences in the bridges reveal about the times in which they were built;
  • hypothesizes what the persistence of these bridges (each has been renovated and reinforced, but not redesigned or replaced) suggests about the beliefs and/or values of New York City and San Francisco.

The Golden Gate Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge are both a form of suspension bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA is  a suspension, truss arch/causeway bridge that consists of the weight of the roadway being hung by two cables passing through the two main towers that are fixed in concrete at each end. There are 27,572 strands of wire in each cable and 80,000 miles of wire in the main cables. There is approximately 1.2 million rivets in the bridge. The Brooklyn Bridge in N.Y.C., NY uses a hybrid cable-stayed suspension bridge design. The materials used in the towers are Rosendale cement, limestone, and granite. There are numerous passageways and compartments built into the bridge’s anchorages.

The environs around the Golden Gate Bridge are the San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, and Marin County. The strait is 6,700 feet long, has strong, swirling tides and currents, with a water depth of 372 feet in the middle of the channel, frequently strong winds, and terrible blinding fog. The environs around the Brooklyn Bridge are the East River, N.Y.C. (Civic Center, Manhattan – Dumbo/ Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn). The bridge was built 6 times stronger than designer Washington Roebling thought it should be due to the possibility of wind stressing the cables, towers, etc. (this was before the use of wind tunnels to test the impact and force wind can have on a bridge).

People choose to frame and depict the Golden Gate Bridge in their photos as a prominent American landmark, with its international orange that compliments the backdrop of the surrounding bay and beautiful display of lights. It has been used in books, movies, and video games. They also choose to depict the Brooklyn Bridge in photos such as wide shots of the NYC skyline for t.v. shows and movies, and also in books and articles.

The differences in the bridges most likely reveal the newer technology, design, and architectural/structural thinking of the times in which they were built. Neither of these bridges were tested for wind impact because they were made before the time of the test, but they were built to be better than what the designers thought they should be, so that they would withstand more impact than anyone had ever thought of before. These bridges pioneered the way for newer, bigger, and better bridges around the world, because they were the best at their time.

The persistence of these bridges suggests that the beliefs and values of San Francisco and New York City are to preserve these national iconic American landmarks with as much originality as possible. These two cities were the foundation of very strong, possibly ahead of their time, suspension bridges that were the biggest and best in the world at the time. The two cities want to preserve the original looks, structure, and materials as much as possible but also it is okay if they need to use different materials in order to achieve that goal, because with newer technology, we now have better means of keeping these bridges up to spec.

Pete Cook