There Would Be No Hubble Space Telescope Without Sperm Whales

[DeSwiss]

Whale oil is still used to lubricate the Hubble Space Telescope!



This is because sperm whale oil has the unique benefit of not freezing in the subzero temperatures of space. NASA has been using this natural substance to lube up its vehicles since the days of sending probes to Mars and the Moon, and they have yet to find a viable replacement! Apparently, whale oil is currently used in devices such as the Hubble telescope and the Voyager space probes.

(Sources: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/troubled-waters-did-we-really-save-the-whale-935193.html">1, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/books/review/Philbrick-t.html">2)

- From this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corset"> ----> to this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubble_Space_Telescope">

[demodonkey]

1. Up until the Help America Vote Act, whale oil was used to lubricate lever voting machines.

And AFAIC NASA can shoot the damn replacement Direct Recording Electronic voting machines into space anytime.

[DeSwiss]

2. For some reason I'd prefer....

...they use this to get rid of those gawdawful electronic voting machines:



- Somehow seems more apropos. Aimed at Republicans, of course......

[Wilms]

4. That's fascinating!

Thanks!

[DeSwiss]

6. De Nada. ;-) n/t

[sakabatou]

3. I remember that whale pic

It was... someone criticizing VenomFangX or NephilimFree.

[DeSwiss]

5. I think it was Thunderf00t you're thinking of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcxr6KTWIas&feature=player_detailpage#t=634s">Why do people laugh at creationists? (part 33)

[sakabatou]

7. Yep, that's right

I love his work.

[cliffordu]

8. Except, that's a fucking ORCA, not a sperm whale.

I loves me some killer whales. If you've ever seen one in the wild you'll never forget it.