[Peter J. Huss]

I have in my book case, all three copies of the rare and dangerous books "Boy Mechanic". Some of the projects are unbelievable, like a radium lamp. It details how to get the parts and materials from hospital dumpsters.

[bondjamesbond]

When I was young, we called it "Kid Engineering".

The principles of Kid Engineering are few and immutable.

1) A 20-penny nail is the strongest thing in the world.

2) It is possible to climb the tallest tree, as long as you don't run out of wood blocks and 20-penny nails.

3) If the ice supports your dog, it will support you too.

4) There is no theoretical limit of how far one can safely fall, as long as the distance is increased in one-foot increments.

5) There is no mechanical device that cannot be improved by the addition of Estes-Brand^TM model rocket engines.

There were other principles, but I have forgotten them over the years.

[GSHastings]

I think "Boy Mechanic" may be one of my favorites as a kid.

Does it have instructions on making amatuer rockets using powdered zinc and sulfur for fuel? If so, that's the one (or one of the the 3).

I made one of those rockets when I was 12. It worked. I'm still alive. But I realize now how truly dangerous that thing was.

[Servant of the 9]

I have in my book case, all three copies of the rare and dangerous books "Boy Mechanic". Some of the projects are unbelievable, like a radium lamp. It details how to get the parts and materials from hospital dumpsters.

In 1952, 'The Amateur Scientist' column in 'Scientific American' ran a multi part article on a high school physics class that built a working Cyclotron. They include the plans and how-to for anyone interested.

So9