free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-)

Honest John Back Room » General discussion ( non motoring )
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Wed 7 Apr 2010 18:17
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

I thought, let`s try a puzzle for a change - so here goes.

A single photograph will identfy the object in question and two of the clues below are in the photo. Most clues - plus identification wins.

For decades `they` (in the generic sense) had their own way (and at at one time they had been many) - glorying in their achievements and the world was at their feet.

The time came to pass however that the very test of their quality became the noose that trapped them.

A valedictory was written about them in at least one book but as time passed a strange thing happened. They managed, to pretend it never happened and yet also to re-surface on the whims of taste.

For a while it was rather light-weight, but then they hatched something new and found it ironic................ Or so it all seemed.

i) What is the item in the photo?

2) What is it made of?

3) what are the supporting clues to the pictures content in the text

pic will be posted as the answer in due course.

Hope you enjoy the puzzle

oilrag

Edited by oilrag on 07/04/2010 at 18:24

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Wed 7 Apr 2010 18:54
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - rtj70

Oilrag, you're trying to single handedly do all the posting. I hope you're data plan allows this.

Edited by rtj70 on 07/04/2010 at 18:55

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Wed 7 Apr 2010 21:37
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

Oilrag, you're trying to single handedly do all the posting. I hope you're data plan allows this.

I wondered if it might seem like that due to a dearth of other posts. No problem giving it a break though, if that`s indicated.

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Wed 7 Apr 2010 21:54
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

I mean to say, if you`re giving me the moderating team view Rtj.
No probs!

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Wed 7 Apr 2010 22:19
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - rtj70

Carry on oily if you want ;-) I'm not a moderator here (or anywhere) anymore.

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Wed 7 Apr 2010 22:30
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

Carry on oily if you want ;-) I'm not a moderator here (or anywhere) anymore.

Well, all the best to you then Rtj.

I`m going to try to run a series of entertainments, with images, here - really just to have a little fun - along with the more serious issues that are on other parts of the forum.

Any guesses at the puzzle? ;-)

Edited by oilrag on 07/04/2010 at 22:31

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Thu 8 Apr 2010 01:23
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - Avant

Oily, don't be deterred: there are people coming back on here havingn got out of the habit during the shutdown, plus a lot of new posters. It'll take time but I'm sure gradually you'll find more and more joining in.

I'll need to think about this 'ere puzzle: it sounds as if the object is some kind of symbol of a failing empire (I'd say Roman except it wouldn't be a photograph).

Or an industrial empire? Perhaps BL, MG Rover and the proposed new MG6 that today's Autocar is quite complimentary about.

I'm probably nowhere near it. Is it reasonable to ask if it's to do with cars?

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Thu 8 Apr 2010 07:51
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

Hi, Avant.

It`s nothing to do with cars - but could travel in one.

I took the photo of it yesterday.

Edited by oilrag on 08/04/2010 at 07:54

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Thu 8 Apr 2010 14:27
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - billy25

Me thinks it could be a tramcar!

Aluminium/wood

they used to be many, and there wires and tracks became thier nooses by restricting movment.

"They" are making a "comeback" in some cities in lightwieght form i.e metrolinks etc

anywhere near the pint?? ;-)

Edited by billy25 on 08/04/2010 at 14:28

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Thu 8 Apr 2010 20:45
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - Clk Sec

Oilrag

Virtual beer quencheth no thirst. Please try harder next time.

Clk Sec

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Thu 8 Apr 2010 22:01
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

Oilrag

Virtual beer quencheth no thirst. Please try harder next time.

Clk Sec

Only as long as a post rating system never appears here, Clk..... Billy, i will try to do some better clues tomorrow

;-)

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Fri 9 Apr 2010 07:38
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

More clues.

It`s silver and yet not silver - and heavy but light. Patently hatched, its numbers convey a battery of meanings and it`s Ironic that it`s the best example of KISS in it`s field.

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Fri 9 Apr 2010 08:30
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - Clk Sec
Only as long as a post rating system never appears here.

Perhaps graded brains make finer posters...

Clk Sec

Edited by Clk Sec on 09/04/2010 at 08:31

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Fri 9 Apr 2010 11:41
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - Dynamic Dave
Only as long as a post rating system never appears here, Clk.....

There's no longer one on the site we're not allowed to mention either.

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Sun 11 Apr 2010 01:03
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - Avant

Hatched....battery....is there a link to the Filipino chicken that failed to cross the road? We still haven't worked out what that chicken was thinking.....

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Sun 11 Apr 2010 01:33
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - billy25

so, a round-up of clues:

1. There were originally many of "these"
2. They grew unique in what they did, and they did it well.
3. Then, for some reason, they could no longer pass thier
quality/operating tests.
4. you could travel IN them.
5. They had a "formal" farewell written for them when they went,
which was later attempted to be "swept under the carpet"
6. They tried to redesign them,but ended up with something similar,
or so it seemed.
7. They were Silver, but not really.
8. They were heavy, but light.
9. They had distinctive markings on them, with lots of numbers,
which could have meant anything.
10. They were best example of "kiss" in thier field, (whatever that is!)

Hmm! not a lot to go on! ;-)

printed off and taken to pub!! (hope you dont mind!?)

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Sun 11 Apr 2010 07:50
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

Go for it Billy ;-)

Descriptive.

It`s silver and yet not silver - and heavy but light. Patently hatched, its numbers convey a battery of meanings and it`s Ironic that it`s the best example of KISS in it`s field.

And it`s number is 394.....

Lateral thinking - but factual.

They, who had been many, reduced to one and went into a delirium.

For a while it was rather light-weight, but then they hatched something new and found it ironic.....

Edited by oilrag on 11/04/2010 at 07:57

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Sun 11 Apr 2010 08:40
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - BorisTheSpider
Hot air balloon/Helium ballon?
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Sun 11 Apr 2010 08:51
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

Nope ;-)

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Mon 12 Apr 2010 03:18
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - billy25

well, i threw this infront of our finest pub eggheads, who studiously studied it, then had a lengthy discussion, and came up with an answer!!!

however, being "eggheads" they craftily demanded something in return before thwy would reveal the answer!!! an it cost me seven pints!! (the bounders!)

they think its made from aluminium on a steel chassis, and is the iconic American Silver Bullet caravan!!

Although i`ve just seen the latest clues as i post this answer, i googled 0000394 on a Patent search site, and although the pages (3) all came up blank, iy showed that it was indeed an American Patent, but as to what it wouldnt say!

Have you defeated even Cumbrias finest?

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Mon 12 Apr 2010 07:45
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

Hi Billy!

More clues

A lobster could move it, but a crab may struggle.

(Sorry to hear of your loss of beer money)

;-)

Edited by oilrag on 12/04/2010 at 07:49

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Wed 14 Apr 2010 20:12
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - Ben 10

A London Routemaster bus. Ally shell sprayed red?

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Wed 14 Apr 2010 20:30
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

Hi Cpt, Nope ;-).

Further to these main clues

Descriptive.

It`s silver and yet not silver - and heavy but light. Patently hatched, its numbers convey a battery of meanings and it`s Ironic that it`s the best example of KISS in it`s field.

And it`s number is 394.....

Lateral thinking - but factual.

They, who had been many, reduced to one and went into a delirium.

For a while it was rather light-weight, but then they hatched something new and found it ironic.....

------------------------------

New clues

"They" refers to an industry with global dominance -- faltering when confronted with new technology - only to re-emerge very unexpectedly on the back of fashion.

In post 1, there is industry background and at least one crab or lobster has met the `product`, although hopefully not at 40 fathoms.

Edited by oilrag on 14/04/2010 at 20:31

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Wed 14 Apr 2010 21:29
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - Avant

Any links with either shipping or mercury? If there were a link between shipping and mercury, it would tick a lot of the boxes....

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Thu 15 Apr 2010 00:31
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - billy25

Hang-on! my spidey senses are starting to tingle!

laterally thinking, 394, hatched, silver....

this is starting to make me think along the lines of
Stainless steel!!!

So something stainless steel, that lobsters dont like,
people travel in,

Originally made by several makers, but then taken over and merged into one......etc etc

haven`t slept for 3 nights over this! - not the puzzle,
the loss of the beer money!! - still thinking `bout puzzle tho`

Edited by billy25 on 15/04/2010 at 00:38

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Thu 15 Apr 2010 01:14
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - Avant

We think we're getting warmer but then find another clue which doesn't fit. People can;t travel in it - "It`s nothing to do with cars - but could travel in one (above)".

A lobster could mov it but not a crab - something that moves forwards and backwards but not sideways....

Don't know about lobsters and crabs but we're floundering.....

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Thu 15 Apr 2010 07:41
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

There is a VERY lateral link to ships - but thinking about it will likely put you off track.

;-)

Edited by oilrag on 15/04/2010 at 07:48

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Sun 18 Apr 2010 19:06
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

Time to call - time up? Any more clues needed or ...do you all give in ;-)

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Sun 18 Apr 2010 21:57
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - Avant

A Sheffield steel knife? If not, I give in - you'd better put us out of our misery (not really misery - it's been good fun!).

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Sun 18 Apr 2010 23:16
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - Ben 10

Just a couple of extra clues oilrag?

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Mon 19 Apr 2010 06:19
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

Ok Cpt

Very early 80`s in a fashion (but lacking the early plasticity) - a tentative comback - a trendy new word for a name - the whole industry now under that - an irony if ever there was one.

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Mon 19 Apr 2010 17:03
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - Ben 10

Is it a Sinclair C5 electric car?

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Mon 19 Apr 2010 18:21
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

A lobster could carry it - athough it would be a gonner at 40 fathoms.

could probably manage around 90ft though... after which the hatch may blow..

Edited by oilrag on 19/04/2010 at 18:22

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Mon 19 Apr 2010 19:06
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

"It`s silver and yet not silver - and heavy but light. Patently hatched, its numbers convey a battery of meanings and it`s Ironic that it`s the best example of KISS in it`s field. And it`s number is 394....."

Time - for the answer?

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Mon 19 Apr 2010 20:02
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - Avant

Nothing to do with mercury? If not, I think you've got us beat. I wish we could persuade Lud to look in - he might have given it a good go.

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Mon 19 Apr 2010 22:27
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag
Zoom in for a close up.

picasaweb.google.com/spamtrap362/Swtch?authkey=Gv1...#

Hope you enjoyed it ;-)
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Thu 22 Apr 2010 04:29
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - billy25

At last!! - i can sleep now! ;-) - very good Oilrag! I would never have got that! I was right `bout stainless steel tho`!

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Thu 22 Apr 2010 09:00
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - oilrag

Yeah ;-) I think you`re the winner Billy with the `stainless steel`

Have a beer - glug glug ;-)

To all,

Any thoughts on what would give a little fun for my next effort?

Puzzle - as above with pic?

Quiz - no pic?

Writing competition on weird titles?

(OK forget the latter ;-)

Regards

oilrag

Edited by oilrag on 22/04/2010 at 09:03

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Thu 22 Apr 2010 13:19
free virtual beer! A new puzzle ;-) - Ben 10

"Quiz - no pic?" gets my vote, oilrag.

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