BABY PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

A History of the World in 6 Glasses

From beer to Coca-Cola, the six drinks that have helped shape human history.
Throughout human history. certain drinks have done much more than just quench thirst. As Tom Standage relates with authority and charm, six of them have had a surprisingly pervasive influence on the course of history, becoming the defining drink during a pivotal historical period.

A History of the World in 6 Glasses tells the story of humanity from the Stone Age to the 21st century through the lens of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and cola. Beer was first made in the Fertile Crescent and by 3000 B.C.E. was so important to Mesopotamia and Egypt that it was used to pay wages. In ancient Greece wine became the main export of her vast seaborne trade, helping spread Greek culture abroad. Spirits such as brandy and rum fueled the Age of Exploration, fortifying seamen on long voyages and oiling the pernicious slave trade. Although coffee originated in the Arab world, it stoked revolutionary thought in Europe during the Age of Reason, when coffeehouses became centers of intellectual exchange. And hundreds of years after the Chinese began drinking tea, it became especially popular in Britain, with far-reaching effects on British foreign policy. Finally, though carbonated drinks were invented in 18th-century Europe they became a 20th-century phenomenon, and Coca-Cola in particular is the leading symbol of globalization.

For Tom Standage, each drink is a kind of technology, a catalyst for advancing culture by which he demonstrates the intricate interplay of different civilizations. You may never look at your favorite drink the same way again.

From beer to Coca-Cola, the six drinks that have helped shape human history.
Throughout human history. certain drinks have done much more than just quench thirst. As Tom Standage relates with authority and charm, six of them have had a surprisingly pervasive influence on the course of history, becoming the defining drink during a pivotal historical period.

A History of the World in 6 Glasses tells the story of humanity from the Stone Age to the 21st century through the lens of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and cola. Beer was first made in the Fertile Crescent and by 3000 B.C.E. was so important to Mesopotamia and Egypt that it was used to pay wages. In ancient Greece wine became the main export of her vast seaborne trade, helping spread Greek culture abroad. Spirits such as brandy and rum fueled the Age of Exploration, fortifying seamen on long voyages and oiling the pernicious slave trade. Although coffee originated in the Arab world, it stoked revolutionary thought in Europe during the Age of Reason, when coffeehouses became centers of intellectual exchange. And hundreds of years after the Chinese began drinking tea, it became especially popular in Britain, with far-reaching effects on British foreign policy. Finally, though carbonated drinks were invented in 18th-century Europe they became a 20th-century phenomenon, and Coca-Cola in particular is the leading symbol of globalization.

For Tom Standage, each drink is a kind of technology, a catalyst for advancing culture by which he demonstrates the intricate interplay of different civilizations. You may never look at your favorite drink the same way again.

Jason Kennedy began his diving adventures six years ago in 2000 and has accumulated 400 dives in this period. Jason was immediately captivated with the underwater experience and began his quest for shipwreck research transitioning naturally into technical diving. Technical diving brought him closer to the historical artifacts and allowed hands on knowledge of the areas maritime past that so enthralled him. Of the six years that Jason has been diving four of those have been involving technical diving techniques taking him to depths up to 200 fsw.

I first met Jason in 2002 when I was part of a small group of Albertans who caressed the North Atlantic for a much celebrated adventure. Our group utilized a small SCUBA facility in the Dartmouth area and had to truck our tanks each evening for fills. Jason frequented the dive store and I was impressed with his positive attitude and willingness to assist us moving the heavy gear in and out of the facility. He was very curious in regards to our equipment and techniques, a keen interest in what we were about brought him out to dive with us in 2003.

Jason will be a welcome addition to the team as we head into Expedition 2006.

Born and raised in Nova Scotia I’ve always been interested in diving ever since I was a young child watching my uncle fall over backwards into the water and coming back to the surface with a bounty of scallops for all to enjoy.

After 20 years of procrastinating I took my open water course 6 years ago and fell in love with the underwater world. After diving my first shipwreck I was hooked on wreck diving and began doing research on the wrecks that we dove. Only then did I discover how little I knew and how little is taught about our Maritime history. Royal Navy ships with 80 guns sunk in the 1700’s, Privateer vessels, White Star Line, and yes, torpedoed vessels by German U-boats lay off our shores waiting to be discovered and explored. Only then did I realize what a special treasure we posses on these shores.

In 2003 I joined Greg and his group on a dive to the freighter, Kolkhosnik (The Russian). This year I plan on joining him on the Kolkhosnik and the British Freedom as well as helping out with gear, boat hand and support on the wrecks that as of yet I’m not ready to tackle. I hope to see some new faces and reunite with old friends on what is bound to be another great adventure.

Jason currently resides in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and lives beside Randy and Mr. Lahey.

The U.S. Navy Museum caption reads:

Fleuss Oxygen Rebreather

Englishman Henry Fleuss invented the first rebreather apparatus in 1879. The device has two tubes: one provides compressed oxygen to the diver, and the other sends the exhaled carbon dioxide to be purified by caustic potash. During World War II, divers of the U.S., Royal, and Italian Navies used these devices because they do not produce telltale bubbles. A rebreather works in depths up to 30 feet and can contain up to four hours of oxygen. However, its oxygen supply is extremely unstable, making it too dangerous for commercial or recreational diving.

This item can be seen in the Undersea Exploration exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Navy at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.

© 2009 Ashley D. Cristal, All Rights Reserved. Use of this photograph in ANY form is NOT permitted without permission from the author.

Scuba's most comprehensive and authoritative guide is now better than ever!
Scuba Diving provides a clear, thorough, and captivating learning experience for all who want to take the plunge. Packed with beautiful full-color photographs and detailed diving instruction, this updated edition is the preferred guide for recreational divers, diving instructors, and students around the globe.
Renowned diving instructor Dennis Graver sheds light on the undersea world and how to experience it safely with essential details on skills, techniques, and planning. In Scuba Diving, you'll learn how to
select, outfit, and care for diving equipment;
equalize pressure in the ears, sinuses, and mask;
use dive tables and diving profiles;
follow boat-diving and buddy-check procedures for safe diving; and
prevent or manage underwater emergencies and hazards.
In this new edition, Scuba Diving demystifies the complex topics such as gas laws and the physics and physiology of diving. As an added bonus, you'll find recommendations on top diving sites around the world--sites ideal for divers at any level.
Whether you're a beginning or intermediate diver or diving instructor, make sure you have all the bases covered before you go underwater. Scuba Diving will ensure a safe, successful, and rewarding dive every time you take the plunge.

Scuba's most comprehensive and authoritative guide is now better than ever!
Scuba Diving provides a clear, thorough, and captivating learning experience for all who want to take the plunge. Packed with beautiful full-color photographs and detailed diving instruction, this updated edition is the preferred guide for recreational divers, diving instructors, and students around the globe.
Renowned diving instructor Dennis Graver sheds light on the undersea world and how to experience it safely with essential details on skills, techniques, and planning. In Scuba Diving, you'll learn how to
select, outfit, and care for diving equipment;
equalize pressure in the ears, sinuses, and mask;
use dive tables and diving profiles;
follow boat-diving and buddy-check procedures for safe diving; and
prevent or manage underwater emergencies and hazards.
In this new edition, Scuba Diving demystifies the complex topics such as gas laws and the physics and physiology of diving. As an added bonus, you'll find recommendations on top diving sites around the world--sites ideal for divers at any level.
Whether you're a beginning or intermediate diver or diving instructor, make sure you have all the bases covered before you go underwater. Scuba Diving will ensure a safe, successful, and rewarding dive every time you take the plunge.