Just another ignition system ???

[Pahoo]

This has probably been covered before but last night on Pawn-Stars they showed a "Noon-Day Cannon". Back in the 17 and 1800's, rich folks had a small loaded cannon mounted on a base that was a sun-dial. there were as set of brackets that held a magnifying glass. The glass was positioned in a way that when noon time came around. The sunbeam would be directed and concentrated on the touch-hole of the cannon. The cannon would go off and let everyone on estate know that it was time for lunch. Sure hope they had the dogs kenneled up. ......

http://www.gemmary.com/media/catalo...8eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/0/4/04-020_5.jpg

Be Safe !!!

 

[Hawg]

I guess they didn't eat if it was overcast.

 

[44 Dave]

Is that where the expression " put it where the sun doesn't shine!" comes from?

 

[4V50 Gary]

Dixie used to sell reproductions of those sun dial cannons. I got one but never assembled it because I wanted to get a marble base.

 

[Minorcan]

Very cool, I wonder what the HOA would say????

Lots of small cannons were made to use a signaling devices for harbor master inspections, factory shift changes, etc.

 

[swathdiver]

Thanks for sharing, never heard of that one before! Pretty cool and more preferrable than a radio or cell phone!

 

[ofitg]

Benjamin Franklin proposed a "sundial" using 78 cannons -

http://www.twigsdigs.com/sundials/franklin/franklin.html