A weather vane (or wind vane) is an instrument for measuring wind direction. It is a simple instrument, consisting of an arrow, or any figure, mounted on a rod. This rod moves in the direction of the wind when there is breeze. The front part of the vane is more or less pointed and the back end is wide, so that even the slightest breeze will move the vane. The arrow turns until the wind is equally distributed on either side of the weather vane, making the front part indicate the exact direction of the wind. Wind vanes are placed in open and high places to catch the wind.

Weather vanes are one of the oldest wind instruments used by man. The oldest wind vane has been traced to the Tower of Winds in Athens, Greece, and dates back to 48 BC. Over the centuries, weather vanes have been used as ornaments to display the icons of various cultures, religions and countries. At one point of time, these weather vanes were most likely used as flags, as the origin of the word “vane” seems to have come from the Anglo-Saxon word “fane”, which means flag.

Weather vanes have no doubt been used to represent patriotic feelings as depicted by the Federal Eagle and the Goddess of Liberty vanes. Weather vanes, even today, are used more as ornaments on buildings than for any other specific purpose. Even office buildings are sporting weather vanes with corporate logos etched on them. They can be custom designed, from the size of the vane, to the material used, and of course the design. Modern wind vanes are also mounted with an anemometer, a device for measuring the speed of the wind. They may also be connected to a remote reading station. Modern weather vanes are rust free and maintenance free.

Weather vanes are available in hundreds of models and designs. They can be crafted to suit the exact feature of the house, its location, and the unique taste of the customer. Weather vanes are available in wrought iron, aluminum, copper, brass, bronze or steel. They are made in different shapes ranging from simple arrows to shapes of animals, birds, humans, crests, exotic figurines, or a combination of these themes. Antique weather vanes are so much in demand that there are some dealers who specialize in recreating weather vanes to look like antiques. Though weather vanes are more popular for the “country” or “farm” look, they can add a graceful touch to any building. Weather vanes are also used as decorative items inside the house or even on desktops.

Weather vanes are instruments used to detect the direction of the wind. They date back to the year 48 BC, as seen from the Tower of Winds in Athens, Greece. There are many other references to weather vanes in history right from the 1st century BC. The first authenticated weather vane in the US was supposedly made by Shem Drowne of Boston in 1716. Another vane made by the same master vane-maker was a large copper Indian vane and it was installed in 1740 on Boston’s Old North Church.

Antique weather vanes are very rare and much in demand. Handcrafted ones are very difficult to authenticate. There is a great demand for those made in the factories which date back to the mid-to-late nineteenth century. Some of the most popular weather vane makers were A.L. Jewell, J.W.Fiske, E.G.Washburne and Cushing and White. Some unscrupulous dealers duplicate weather vanes to look like antiques by coating them with animal manure, placing them in dirt-filled boxes with salt water and burying them underground for a few months. The antique look can also be duplicated by treating them with copper sulphate, acetic acid and potassium sulphide.

Antique weather vanes were also highly experimented upon, and so we find many unique pieces like the one made by Thomas Jefferson which had a shaft that went through the roof into the room below. There was an indicator there so that the wind direction could be checked without going out of the house and looking at the vane directly. Antique iron weather vanes are also available in several types like: deck or fence weather vanes, lawn weather vanes, roof top weather vanes, table top weather vanes, and more. They are also provided with the necessary accessories and hardware like cupolas, mounting shafts, and roof mount bases.

There are certain guidelines for identifying whether a weather vane is really an antique or not. Real antique vanes are much finer than fake ones. Since antique vanes were usually covered with metal sheets, rather than being painted on, they may have some square borders of gilt remaining. Also, they would have a mellow burnished finish instead of a shiny look. Since weather vanes were usually used for shooting practice in olden days, some real antique vanes may have bullet holes in them. If it has holes or fissures, then there should be some dust accumulated inside. A good shake should reveal this. Although these are not sure-fire tests for antique weather vanes, they can help to know at a glance if the vane is really antique or not. Antique weather vanes, like other antique products, are in high demand by collectors.

Pumpkin is at the heart of Halloween festivities, and for many is the only experience they have of the squash all season. This is usually for the joys of pumpkin carving rather than cooking. When you discover just how healthy pumpkins are however, you'll realise that pumpkin recipes are just as worth getting excited about and that it would be foolish not to eat the remaining flesh left over from your pumpkin carving. (As a note, if you're rolling up your sleeves ready to tackle your orange fellow there are plenty of free pumpkin carving pattern ideas available on the internet).

Pumpkin is a superfood indeed. In fact, it's not just the inner meat of a pumpkin that's virtuous but its seeds are super nutritous too and contain a wealth of health-promoting properties. Like melons, cucumber, and squash, pumpkins belong to the gourd family. They were much celebrated by Native American Indians who made use of their flesh and seeds for culinary and medicinal purposes. Pumpkin flesh is high in fibre and vitamins C and E, magnesium and potassium and a staggering quantity and variety of carotenoids, being one of the most abundant natural sources of these amazing phytonutrients.

Dietary carotenoids correlate with lower a risk of numerous cancers, heart disease, cataracts and blindness. Pumpkin contains heaps of beta-carotene as well as a huge concentration of alpha-carotene, with just a quarter of a cup yielding the recommended daily amount. Alpha-carotene protects against certain cancers and cataracts, and has also been discovered to be a powerful ally against aging.

Both alpha- and beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A within the body, which plays an essential role in growth, development and immunity. Beta-carotene is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent and prevents cholesterol build up in blood vessels that could lead to stroke or heart attack. The presence of magnesium, potassium and folate in pumpkin heightens its heart-friendly attributes. Beta-carotene works most effectively in combination with other carotenoids and has been found to reduce the risk of lung and colon cancer in particular.

When exploring pumpkin recipes experiment with other squashes too. There are numerous types in all shapes and sizes with many similar nutritional values. One tasty alternative is the butternut squash.

Pumpkins yield delicious and highly nutritious seeds. Known as pepitas, they are dark green and flat with a chewy texture and rich nutty flavour. These seeds are dense in minerals, with just a quarter of a cup providing approximately half the daily recommended dose for magnesium and iron, in addition to high doses of zinc, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, manganese and copper. They also contain the amino acid tryptophan known for anti-depressant qualities, and essential fatty acids.

The dark green oil produced from pumpkin seeds has been used throughout history in India, Europe and America to fight parasites, aid the digestive tract and help with prostate and reproductive disorders. It has also been recommended for pregnant and lactating women because of its high content of essential fatty acids.

For the vast majority of us, power tools have been around as long as we can remember in one form or another. When we look back to see such items of our childhood, it’s funny how they seem so primitive, yet at the time they were the most up-to-date invention making the lives of our families so much easier than those of past generations.

Centuries before the wheel was invented, the Egyptians built the pyramids with nothing more than copper tools to quarry and cut the colossal blocks. It’s believed that this was one of the first uses of a copper drill, sharpened by the many metalworkers of the day, spun by twine attached to a cross piece that was moved back and forth like a bow. One theory for physically moving the blocks to the site was that the laborers drilled holes through the blocks, placed either twine or a dowel through the block, and pulled the giant blocks up that way.

Somewhere around the first century B.C., the first screws came into existence. They were made out of wood, had a corkscrew design and were used in various presses of the day, like wine and olive oil. The drivers of the times were basically anything that would twist the screw to get the desired result, eventually leading to a slot in the head of the screw and a coordinating driver with a tip that fit in the slot to ease the twisting process. Metal screws and nuts used for fastening two items together weren’t seen until the fifteenth century.

Henry Phillips developed the Phillips head screw as a need came for screws to take greater torque and grant tighter fastenings to coincide with the 1930’s automobile assembly lines and their automated screwdrivers. Phillips’ screw fit in nicely and created a new generation of screws and drivers in the process. Of course, it only took a few more decades to add power to the screwdriver, either as a single driving device or as an attachment for an electric drill.

The history of saws takes us back to 1777 England where Samuel Miller invented the round metal disk type of saw that cuts by spinning, also known as the circular saw. 1813 saw a vast improvement to the two-man pit saws that were used in the production of lumber when Tabitha Babbitt invented the first circular saw used in a sawmill. The band saw came into the scene in 1807 with its invention by William Newberry.

It’s been said more than once “necessity is the mother of invention” and “with age comes wisdom”. Combining both of these proverbs to come up with easier, simpler ways to do things more quickly and efficiently is what has changed these uncomplicated tools of the past into the higher-tech power tools of today, and will help to create the next generation of power tools for tomorrow.

Antioxidants represent a crucial line of defense in each of our bodies. They serve to neutralize free radicals, which pose multiple threats to our well-being. Simply put, free radicals are made up of an odd number of electrons, and they attack cells in order to pair up electrons. When these free radicalsare successful in their assault, many complications and diseases can occur. Cancer, Heart Attack, Diabetes, and AIDS are just a few of the diseases directly caused by these free radicals. In addition to breaking down DNA and cell structure, free radicals also speed the aging process. Therefore, it’s not hard to see the importance of maintaining the best antioxidant protection possible. In this article, we will give you some easy tips for achieving and maintaining this vital resource.

Maintain a Proper Diet

It should come as no surprise that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains should represent your first line of defense against free radicals. These foods are all high in natural antioxidants, and provide your body with countless nutrients.

Vitamins and Minerals

There are several essential nutrients that work to scavenge these free radicals. Vitamins A, C, and E have great antioxidant properties, as do copper,selenium, and zinc. These supplements all help in the prevention of damage by free radicals.

Stay Away From Tobacco and Alcohol

These two substances contain an abundance of free-radical producing toxins, and should be avoided whenever possible.

Avoid Over-Exposure To Sunlight

In addition to many pollutants found in the air that we breathe (which we have little control over), free-radicals can also be found in the ultra-violet rays emitted by the sun. If you have to spend an increased amount of time in the sun, be sure to use a strong sunscreen to offset the exposure.

Your Best Defense

Hopefully, these tips will help you increase the amount of antioxidants you have available to seek out these harmful free radicals. Ultimately, you serve as your body’s best defense against sickness, disease, and aging. By following a healthy lifestyle, you can provide yourself with a sense of security and peace of mind.