How is a Video Rental Store still a thing in 2019?

Video rental stores used to be a thing. Now they're not. Some of the reasons are obvious, some you might not have considered.

I chat with Sam at Leading Edge Entertainment in Wodonga, Victoria, about operating a video rental store in 2019.

Video rental stores used to be a thing. Now they're not. Some of the reasons are obvious, some you might not have considered. I chat with Sam at Leading Edge Entertainment in Wodonga, Victoria, about operating a video rental store in 2019.

New release shelves.

New release shelves.

Store signage.

Store signage.

Signage and return chute on a former video rental store.

Signage and return chute on a former video rental store.

A truly massive selection.

A truly massive selection.

Check out Leading Edge Entertainment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadingenter...

Percy Allan - The Man Who Built 583 Bridges →

Between 1893 and 1927, Percy Allan built 583 bridges in New South Wales. Five hundred and eighty three.

Between 1893 and 1927, Percy Allan built 583 bridges in New South Wales. Five hundred and eighty three.

Some of Percy’s bridges:

#percybuiltthis #mulwala

#percybuiltthis #mulwala

#percybuiltthis #bethanga

#percybuiltthis #bethanga

#percybuiltthis #darlingharbour

#percybuiltthis #darlingharbour

#percybuiltthis #tomuglysbridge

#percybuiltthis #tomuglysbridge

Percy Allan on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_A...

Glebe Island Bridge on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glebe_I...

Pyrmont Bridge on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrmont...

Tom Uglys Bridge on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Ugl...

Bethanga Bridge on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethang...

Percy Allan bio: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/allan...

Awesome resource for Allan Truss Bridges: http://bridges.chookman.id.au/allan/a...

The drought antidote for the north-west, or the utilisation of the artesian resources of New South Wales in PDF format: https://openjournals.library.sydney.e...

The NSW/Queensland Border: Cameron's One Ton Post →

Mungindi, NSW: John Brewer Cameron planted this post here in 1882, to mark the transition point of the NSW/Queensland border from the 29th parallel to the Barwon/Macintyre/Dumaresq rivers.

Mungindi, NSW: John Brewer Cameron planted this post here in 1882, to mark the transition point of the NSW/Queensland border from the 29th parallel to the Barwon/Macintyre/Dumaresq rivers. Thank YOU for watching! Your subscription would be appreciated, if you think I've earned it. Otherwise, all good. You're still awesome.

Rural Radio Telescopes: The Paul Wild Observatory near Narrabri →

Watching the skies near Narrabri, NSW, the Paul Wild Observatory is a collection of science equipment that's discovering and teaching us more about the universe we live in.

Watching the skies near Narrabri, NSW, the Paul Wild Observatory is a collection of science equipment that's discovering and teaching us more about the universe we live in. Thank YOU for watching. Your subscription would be appreciated, if you think I've earned it. Otherwise, all good. You're still awesome.

Some extra photos from the visit:

One of the dishes from the original solar radio heliograph.

One of the dishes from the original solar radio heliograph.

The track and main array.

The track and main array.

Phone off, camera on.

Phone off, camera on.

Signage in Wee Waa is a little tired.

Signage in Wee Waa is a little tired.

Paul Wild Observatory (CSIRO): https://www.csiro.au/en/Locations/NSW...

Paul Wild Observatory (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Wi...

Lightning Ridge in 1988 - A Video Tour →

A (shaky) video tour of Lightning Ridge in 1988, courtesy of my late father, David Gawthorpe. I believe he filmed this with his new toy, a Sony Video-8 Camcorder, to show his family at Christmas '88.

This isn't a 'normal' IDU video, this is just an opportunity to archive a piece of Lightning Ridge history for posterity and the fun of it.

Elephants in the room:

  • I've edited the video a bit. There was a lot of crazy ground shooting and super shaky cam sections that were just hard to watch.

  • I've censored a few names that were mentioned, just to ensure privacy.

  • I've also removed a few uncouth bits of commentary.

  • Oh, yeah. Cancer sucks. Whack the donate button: https://www.cancer.org.au

A (shaky) video tour of Lightning Ridge in 1988, courtesy of my late father, David Gawthorpe. I believe he filmed this with his new toy, a Sony Video-8 Camcorder, to show his family at Christmas '88. This isn't a 'normal' IDU video, this is just an opportunity to archive a piece of Lightning Ridge history for posterity and the fun of it.


Monotremes - Really Weird Little Creatures from Lightning Ridge's Past & Present →

Monotremes are freaking weird animals. Dr. Smith from the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge shows us examples of prehistoric and modern platypus and echidna specimens!

Monotremes are freaking weird animals. Dr. Smith from the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge shows us examples of prehistoric and modern platypus and echidna specimens! Follow the Australian Opal Centre on Facebook: http://facebook.com/australianopalcentre Follow IDU on... Facebook: http://facebook.com/idunderstand Twitter: http://twitter.com/idunderstand Instagram: http://instagram.com/idu_idontunderstand The web: http://idu.watch/ Thank YOU for watching!

Platypus footage: Noel Gibson, used with permission. Original video: https://vimeo.com/157660000

Melting Bottles in an Electric Kiln - Pottery Experiments in Lightning Ridge →

Retired potter and backyard physicist Graeme experiments with melting glass bottles in an electric pottery kiln, producing amazing results!

Graeme Anderson is a retired potter from Lightning Ridge, who conducts science experiments in his backyard in the name of art and curiosity.

Retired potter and backyard physicist Graeme experiments with melting glass bottles in an electric pottery kiln, producing amazing results! Graeme Anderson is a retired potter from Lightning Ridge, who conducts science experiments in his backyard in the name of art and curiosity.

Watch more of Graeme, as he discusses what it's like to live in a collection of disused Sydney passenger train carriages, here: https://youtu.be/1I6gIMUjBbI

And his experiments with firing and glazing unique opal clay pottery here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsEfR...

Elements of Prince Rupert's Drops: 400 Year Old Mystery Revealed are from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt-zv... under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

Opal of the World - A World Tour of Opal, Part 2 →

We visit the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge and explore opal from around the world, including opal from Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Honduras, the United States of America, Canada, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Tanzania and Turkey.

Special thanks to Jenni Brammall at the Australian Opal Centre.

This is NOT an exhaustive look at all of the opal the world has to offer, there are many more locations that produce opal, and we'll visit opal from those countries in the future. Stay tuned, click the subscribe button, and we'll fill in the blanks in the future!

These examples were chosen from a selection of specimens; they don't necessarily represent the "best of the best" of each opal category. They're all beautiful, though!

We visit the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge and explore opal from around the world, including opal from Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Honduras, the United States of America, Canada, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Tanzania and Turkey. Special thanks to Jenni Brammall at the Australian Opal Centre.

The Wikipedia page for Opal includes information about opal from many of the locations referenced in this video: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opal

Australian Opal - A World Tour of Opal, Part 1 →

We visit the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge and explore examples of Australian opal, from many different locations.

Special thanks to Jenni Brammall at the Australian Opal Centre.

This is by no means an exhaustive look at Australian opal. There are many other opal fields and opal bearing areas, and heaps more examples of opal formations, types, colours and weird quirks of geology. If there's a particular area or type of opal you'd like to see more about, please leave a comment!

These examples were chosen from a selection of specimens; they don't necessarily represent the "best of the best" of each opal category. They're all beautiful, though!

We visit the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge and explore examples of Australian opal, from many different locations. DON'T MISS PART 2: OPAL OF THE WORLD -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH4SjkVx3QE 😄 Special thanks to Jenni Brammall at the Australian Opal Centre. This is by no means an exhaustive look at Australian opal.

Some extra photographs:

A great example of opal from Mintabie, SA.

A great example of opal from Mintabie, SA.

More opal from Mintabie, displaying a different part of the spectrum.

More opal from Mintabie, displaying a different part of the spectrum.

Behind the scenes filming with Jenni Brammall at the Australian Opal Centre.

Behind the scenes filming with Jenni Brammall at the Australian Opal Centre.

More info on the locations mentioned:

True Survivors: Lightning Ridge's unchanged fossils (Fine Details Preserved) →

Some creatures got it right the first time -- Dr. Elizabeth Smith from the Australian Opal Centre shows us some opalised fossils from Lightning Ridge that demonstrate how some species of snails, molluscs, lungfish and turtles haven't really changed much over millions of years.

“Welcome to Fine Details Preserved — a little series of videos featuring awesome items from the collections of the Australian Opal Centre and the Lightning Ridge Historical Society. In this series we’ll look at some incredible objects ranging from opalised fossils to opal mining heritage items to strange mystery objects that will make you wonder.”

Some creatures got it right the first time -- Dr. Elizabeth Smith from the Australian Opal Centre shows us some opalised fossils from Lightning Ridge that demonstrate how some species of snails, molluscs, lungfish and turtles haven't really changed much over millions of years.

Follow the Australian Opal Centre on Facebook: http://facebook.com/australianopalcentre

106 year old Brass Postal Seal from Nettleton, Lightning Ridge →

In this video, we take a look at the brass postal seal from the original Lightning Ridge settlement, how it was used, and how it came to be part of the LRHS's collection!

“Welcome to Fine Details Preserved — a little series of videos featuring awesome items from the collections of the Australian Opal Centre and the Lightning Ridge Historical Society. In this series we’ll look at some incredible objects ranging from opalised fossils to opal mining heritage items to strange mystery objects that will make you wonder.”

In this video, we take a look at the brass postal seal from the original Lightning Ridge settlement, how it was used, and how it came to be part of the LRHS's collection! -- Welcome to Fine Details Preserved -- a little series of videos featuring awesome items from the collections of the Australian Opal Centre and the Lightning Ridge Historical Society.

For more information on the settlement at Nettleton, check out this earlier IDU video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-nz9...

The Secret Pythagoras Cup in the Powerhouse Museum →

And now for something a little bit different: On a recent visit to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, I found something I wasn't expecting. Don't you just love a clever, elegant engineering solution to a problem? Me too!

And now for something a little bit different: On a recent visit to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, I found something I wasn't expecting. Don't you just love a clever, elegant engineering solution to a problem? Me too!

The 3D print on Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:37153

Cup filled with Mercury on Periodic Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISfIT...

Elegant wine glass on Grand Illusions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2hOP...

A fun exploration of Pascal's Law with Physics Girl and Simone Giertz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxbuF...

Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences: https://maas.museum

Paleopathology: A Dinosaur with Arthritis →

In this video, Dr. Elizabeth Smith from the AOC shows us an opalised bone from a dinosaur suffering from a chronic condition, probably arthritis! Who knew dinosaurs could get arthritis? Paleopathologists, that's who!

“Welcome to Fine Details Preserved — a little series of videos featuring awesome items from the collections of the Australian Opal Centre and the Lightning Ridge Historical Society. In this series we’ll look at some incredible objects ranging from opalised fossils to opal mining heritage items to strange mystery objects that will make you wonder.”

In this video, Dr. Elizabeth Smith from the AOC shows us an opalised bone from a dinosaur suffering from a chronic condition, probably arthritis! Who knew dinosaurs could get arthritis? Paleopathologists, that's who! -- Welcome to Fine Details Preserved -- a little series of videos featuring awesome items from the collections of the Australian Opal Centre and the Lightning Ridge Historical Society.

Follow the Australian Opal Centre on Facebook: http://facebook.com/australianopalcentre

Extras: A Space Shuttle, But Not

In July of 2017, we were lucky enough to spend some time in the United States, thanks to the generosity and hospitality of the Parker family. As a result, we got to visit awesome places like the Kennedy Space Center, the US Space and Rocket Center, and the National Air and Space Museum, all of which share the responsibility of being custodians to a full-sized (and in two out of three cases, flown) space shuttle orbiter. 

The US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, is home to Pathfinder. You can watch Pathfinder's story here:

In July of 2017, I had the opportunity to visit the US Space & Rocket Center in Hunstville, Alabama -- home of Pathfinder, a replica space shuttle orbiter with a unique heritage, and an important part of the space shuttle program in its own right.

Here are some bonus photos from Huntsville, Cape Canaveral and Washington D.C.:

I found a space shuttle -- Pathfinder at the USS&RC.

I found a space shuttle -- Pathfinder at the USS&RC.

Pathfinder mounted atop MPTA-ET and two filament-wound solid rocket boosters.

Pathfinder mounted atop MPTA-ET and two filament-wound solid rocket boosters.

Getting photo-bombed at Pathfinder.

Getting photo-bombed at Pathfinder.

The orbiter.

The orbiter.

The south end of a north-bound Pathfinder.

The south end of a north-bound Pathfinder.

The Saturn V rocket re-creation at Huntsville. Don't worry, there's a real one, too.

The Saturn V rocket re-creation at Huntsville. Don't worry, there's a real one, too.

No parking. Unless you're a space shuttle.

No parking. Unless you're a space shuttle.

Entrance to the USS&RC, with signage for two key exhibits: Pathfinder and the Saturn V.

Entrance to the USS&RC, with signage for two key exhibits: Pathfinder and the Saturn V.

The Saturn V in Huntsville. Fun fact: It was 117°F the day we visited. Fun, fun.

The Saturn V in Huntsville. Fun fact: It was 117°F the day we visited. Fun, fun.

The Apollo 16 Command Module.

The Apollo 16 Command Module.

I, too, like rockets.

I, too, like rockets.

A Saturn I-B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

A Saturn I-B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

I approve.

I approve.

I found JFK.

I found JFK.

I also found Atlantis.

I also found Atlantis.

Looking up Atlantis's skirt.

Looking up Atlantis's skirt.

Here's Discovery, OV-103, at the Udvar-Hazy Complex of the Smithsonian Institute, near Washington D.C.'s Dulles Airport.

Here's Discovery, OV-103, at the Udvar-Hazy Complex of the Smithsonian Institute, near Washington D.C.'s Dulles Airport.

While I didn't get to visit the shuttle Enterprise, OV-101 (which is on the Intrepid aircraft carrier in New York), I did get to see the USS Enterprise, NCC-1701, which is a perfectly acceptable substitute.

While I didn't get to visit the shuttle Enterprise, OV-101 (which is on the Intrepid aircraft carrier in New York), I did get to see the USS Enterprise, NCC-1701, which is a perfectly acceptable substitute.

Discovery.

Discovery.

I also found an A-12. In fact, I found many A-12s, SR-71s and variations thereof. These things are everywhere.

I also found an A-12. In fact, I found many A-12s, SR-71s and variations thereof. These things are everywhere.

Stay tuned for more videos relating to stuff we saw. There was much to see.

A Space Shuttle, But Not: Pathfinder →

There were only six space shuttle orbiters. There was also Pathfinder.

In July of 2017, I had the opportunity to visit the US Space & Rocket Center in Hunstville, Alabama -- home of Pathfinder, a replica space shuttle orbiter with a unique heritage, and an important part of the space shuttle program in its own right.

In this video, I explore the history of Pathfinder and the early testing stages of the orbiter program.

There were only six space shuttle orbiters. There was also Pathfinder. In July of 2017, I had the opportunity to visit the US Space & Rocket Center in Hunstville, Alabama -- home of Pathfinder, a replica space shuttle orbiter with a unique heritage, and an important part of the space shuttle program in its own right.

Update, as posted on the IDU Facebook page:

So, in my video about Pathfinder, the Space Shuttle mock up (kind of) at the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville AL, I said that Pathfinder was the “only full-size Shuttle on display in full stack configuration”. This is not true, as I totally forgot about the replica of Discovery at Space World Japan, which is unfortunately planned to close at the end of this year. I hope the shuttle finds a new and awesome home.

Pine Cones and Seed Pods (Fine Details Preserved) →

Dr. Elizabeth Smith from the Australian Opal Centre shows us prehistoric opalised pine cones! Learn a little about how to identify pine cones and seed pods, and see comparisons between modern seeds and ancient fossilised ones.

“Welcome to Fine Details Preserved — a little series of videos featuring awesome items from the collections of the Australian Opal Centre and the Lightning Ridge Historical Society. In this series we’ll look at some incredible objects ranging from opalised fossils to opal mining heritage items to strange mystery objects that will make you wonder.”

Dr. Elizabeth Smith from the Australian Opal Centre shows us prehistoric opalised pine cones! Learn a little about how to identify pine cones and seed pods, and see comparisons between modern seeds and ancient fossilised ones.

Follow the Australian Opal Centre on Facebook: http://facebook.com/australianopalcentre

What's it like to Live in a Train? →

Graeme Anderson is a retired potter from Lightning Ridge, who creates amazing and unique opal clay pots. He also lives in a grouping of old Sydney train carriages, which he collected when they were retired from the network in 1992.

In this video we chat with Graeme about his unique home, and the challenges he had to overcome to make it a comfortable place to live.

Lightning Ridge is home to at least 20 former Sydney Network carriages, most of which have been converted into homes or workspaces.

Graeme Anderson is a retired potter from Lightning Ridge, who creates amazing and unique opal clay pots. He also lives in a grouping of old Sydney train carriages, which he collected when they were retired from the network in 1992.

Check out The Science of Pots, in which Graeme describes his process for making amazing glazed pots from Lightning Ridge opal clay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsEfR...

Also, you might like a tour of the 900 Class DEB Set Restoration project, a 1950s passenger train being restored by volunteers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtWoq...


Mystery Object! (Fine Details Preserved) →

In this video, Barbara from the Lightning Ridge Historical Society has a mystery object...it's made from wood, it's hand-carved, and it's a piece of mining history. Can you figure out what it is?

“Welcome to Fine Details Preserved — a little series of videos featuring awesome items from the collections of the Australian Opal Centre and the Lightning Ridge Historical Society. In this series we’ll look at some incredible objects ranging from opalised fossils to opal mining heritage items to strange mystery objects that will make you wonder.”

In this video, Barbara from the Lightning Ridge Historical Society has a mystery object...it's made from wood, it's hand-carved, and it's a piece of mining history. Can you figure out what it is? -- Welcome to Fine Details Preserved -- a little series of videos featuring awesome items from the collections of the Australian Opal Centre and the Lightning Ridge Historical Society.

Cretaceous Creek (Fine Details Preserved) →

In this video, Dr. Elizabeth Smith from the Australian Opal Centre presents a piece of the riverbed of a prehistoric waterway, with evidence of the plant and insect life that once lived there.

“Welcome to Fine Details Preserved — a little series of videos featuring awesome items from the collections of the Australian Opal Centre and the Lightning Ridge Historical Society. In this series we’ll look at some incredible objects ranging from opalised fossils to opal mining heritage items to strange mystery objects that will make you wonder.”

In this video, Dr. Elizabeth Smith from the Australian Opal Centre presents a piece of the riverbed of a prehistoric waterway, with evidence of the plant and insect life that once lived there. -- Welcome to Fine Details Preserved -- a little series of videos featuring awesome items from the collections of the Australian Opal Centre and the Lightning Ridge Historical Society.

Follow the Australian Opal Centre on Facebook: http://facebook.com/australianopalcentre

The Science of Pots →

Graeme Anderson is a retired potter from Lightning Ridge, who has tried all manner of weird and wonderful experiments to create interesting finishes on his unique opal clay pots. In this video, Graham explains some of the techniques he has used, and some of the bizarre ingredients he's combined to create eyecatching glazes!

Graeme Anderson is a retired potter from Lightning Ridge, who has tried all manner of weird and wonderful experiments to create interesting finishes on his unique opal clay pots. In this video, Graham explains some of the techniques he has used, and some of the bizarre ingredients he's combined to create eyecatching glazes!

Watch more of Graeme, as he discusses what it's like to live in a collection of disused Sydney passenger train carriages, here: https://youtu.be/1I6gIMUjBbI

Australian Opal Centre on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustralianOp...

Australian Opal Centre on the old-fashioned internet: http://www.australianopalcentre.com/