The Trireme is an ancient Greek warship featuring three banks of oars from which it gets its name. A formidable military vessel, it was feared for its speed, maneuverability, and its powerful bronze battering ram used to sink enemy ships. The Trireme permitted Athens to build its maritime empire and dominate the Aegean in the 5th century BCE.
Was a long-range, Mach 3.5+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed by Lockheed and its Skunk Works® division. It was the first aircraft to be constructed mainly of titanium. At full velocity the airplane surface heats up to over 260°C+ (500 °F). A total of 3,551 missions were flown and not one Blackbird was lost due to enemy military retaliation. Note: Skunk Works is the nickname for Lockheed's Advanced Development Programs. Skunk Works engineers have developed highly advanced, military aircraft, often in secret, since World War II.
The 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge was designed from the start to be brash and bold. It featured a powerful V8 engine, unique stripes, a blacked-out grille with optional hide-away headlamps, a rear spoiler, and the requisite 'The Judge' decals that set it apart from other muscle cars on the road.
The Chevy Chevelle was produced from 1964 through 1977. The creation of the Chevelle Super Sport (SS) in 1966 was an aggressive move by GM to compete against the new powerful Chrysler muscle cars. The 1970 Chevelle SS with its 450 hp engine was ready for drag racing as soon as it rolled off the assembly line.
The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz ensembles. Sound is produced by vibrating the lips in a mouthpiece, which starts a standing wave in the air column of the instrument. Since the late 15th century, trumpets have primarily been constructed of brass tubing, usually bent twice into a rounded rectangular shape.
USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was the world's first nuclear-powered submarine and the sixth ship of the fleet to bear the name NAUTILUS. On January 17, 1955, the order was given to cast off all lines and signaled the historic message, “Underway On Nuclear Power.” Over the next several years, NAUTILUS shattered all submerged speed and distance records plus becoming the first submarine to complete a submerged transit of the North Pole.
The Indian cobra, native to the Indian subcontinent, is revered in Hindu mythology and culture and is often seen with snake charmers. The snake is a moderately sized and can easily be identified by its relatively large and quite impressive hood which it expands when threatened. Many specimens exhibit a mark on the back side of their hood which consists of two circular ocelli patterns connected by a curved line, evoking the image of spectacles.
The most capable carrier based fighter-bomber of World War II featured the largest engine available at the time: the 2,000 hp, 18-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial. It was the first US warplane to exceed 400 mph in level flight. The plane featured an unusual inverted gull wing to keep the undercarriage short while allowing the use of the large diameter propeller demanded by the powerful engine.
The Bengal tiger is one of the largest wild cats in the world. Known for its iconic orange and black stripes, this tiger inhabits India and the surrounding region. An endangered species, only 2000-2500 Bengal tigers are estimated to live in the wild.
Sagrada Familia is a famous basilica in Barcelona, Spain. Designed by Antoni Gaudi, this iconic church is renowned for its towering spires, intricate facades, and captivating stained-glass windows. A masterpiece in progress, construction started in 1882 and continues today. Upon completion, it will be the tallest church in the world.
Grasshoppers are amongst the most ancient living groups of chewing herbivorous insects dating back to the early Triassic period around 250 million years ago. When they are forced to crowd together due to environmental changes, they will transform into locusts which swarm in the millions and destroy crops over wide areas.
HMS Victory is a 104-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. Launched in 1765, she is the world’s oldest naval vessel still in commission. Victory is best known for her role as Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. That battle cemented Britain’s dominance as a sea power through the early 20th century.
Grand Piano is a musical instrument played using a keyboard consisting of 52 white keys and 36 black keys that cover a range of more than seven octaves. The Grand Piano is designed so that its frame and strings are parallel to the floor with the strings extending away from the keyboard. The piano also includes 3 foot pedals used to change the instrument's sound in various ways.
This Lockheed Vega 5B monoplane was purchased in 1932 by the famous aviator, Amelia Earhart, who called it her “Little Red Bus”. The plane was powered by a 450 hp engine with a cruise speed of 155 mph. Flying this plane in 1932, Amelia became the first woman to fly nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean, and to make a solo nonstop flight across the United States.
Perhaps no vehicle represents Americana more than the classic ’57 Chevy. This iconic automobile is at the heart of many American stories and has been memorialized in song, motion pictures and television. Chevrolet designed the 1957 Bel Air as a luxury trim, featuring an optional Ramjet fuel injection V8, prominent vertical tail fins and a chrome front bumper with stylish torpedo accents under the headlamps. The new bold look and unique features such as signal seeking radio that was usually reserved for highly expensive luxury cars, made this model’s popularity soar.
Artemis, the moon goddess in Greek mythology, personifies NASA's efforts to return astronauts to the lunar surface and beyond. The Space Launch System is the American super heavy-lift rocket that will be used to get us there. At launch, the SLS rocket with crew will weigh 5,750,000 pounds.