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1517 Fund

@1517.bsky.social

We back dropouts, renegade students, and deep tech scientists at the earliest stages, before anybody else. Want to chat? Reach out:👇 https://www.1517fund.com/

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1517 Fund@1517.bsky.social · 9mo ago

An article from "Everyday Science & Mechanics" (June, 1933) explores why vacuum dirigibles are impossible with then (and current) material technology.

alt-text via LLM – "A full page from "Everyday Science and Mechanics" magazine, June 1933, page 465, titled "VACUUM DIRIGIBLE" in large Art Deco-style lettering. The page features three main illustrations: At top, a sleek, streamlined airship with labeled "exhaust ports lifting." In the upper right, an inset historical diagram shows Rev. Francis Lana's 1670 concept—a small boat suspended by four copper spheres labeled "First Proposed Balloon with Vacuum Copper Globes." The largest illustration is a detailed cutaway cross-section of the proposed vacuum dirigible revealing its internal machinery, with labeled components including: exhaust tubes pushing, intake ports that open as air rarefies, engine rooms, revolving fan blades that maintain constant speed, flywheels with gyroscopic action, gears that drive fans, ports opened by rotating sleeves, and passenger quarters at the bottom. The accompanying article text discusses the history of vacuum airship concepts and engineering"
1517 Fund@1517.bsky.social · last yr.

Ozempic (semaglutide), mounjaro (tirzepatide), retatrutide etc. were derived from molecules isolated in Gila monster venom by an "eccentric biochemist," Jean-Pierre Raufman. He asked the insane question others didn't, "can venom help humans?"

A detailed scientific illustration of a Gila monster lizard (Heloderma species) shown in sepia/brown tones. The main image depicts a full side view of the stocky lizard with its distinctive beaded skin texture and banded pattern, short limbs with clawed toes, and blunt head. Surrounding the main illustration are several smaller anatomical diagrams showing close-up details of scale patterns, head structures, and skin textures from different body regions. Text at the bottom left reads "UNITED STATES & MEXICAN BOUNDARY," suggesting this is from a historical natural history publication documenting fauna along the US-Mexico border.
1517 Fund@1517.bsky.social · last yr.

There's been a cognitive aging-related breakthrough, "an increase in [..] iron-associated protein ferritin light chain 1 (FTL1) [..] in the hippocampus of aged mice, [..correlate] with cognitive decline." "Targeting neuronal FTL1 in [..] aged mice improves [..] cognitive impairments"

paper text - "a, Schematic of transcriptomics workflow for RNA-seq of hippocampal neuronal nuclei (N = 3 young (3 months) and N = 2 aged (18 months) mice). Volcano plot illustrating differential gene expression in hippocampal neurons of young compared to aged mice. Red dots represent significantly increased genes, and light blue dots represent significantly decreased genes. b, Gene Ontology (GO) terms of biological processes associated with upregulated and downregulated genes in hippocampal neurons during aging. Numerals indicate number of genes in each process. c, Schematic of proteomics workflow for mass spectrometry of cortical and hippocampal synaptosomes (N = 3 young (3 months) biological replicates (20 mice per replicate) and N = 3 aged (18–20 months) biological replicates (20 mice per replicate)). Volcano plot illustrating differential protein levels in synaptosomes of young compared to aged mice."
1517 Fund@1517.bsky.social · last yr.

In 1979, children's books publisher, Usborne Publishing, worked with an aerospace engineer, Kenneth Gatland, and artist, David Jefferis, to create an illustrated guide to the future. Here is their page on Ristos – computers on our wrist. Imagine that.

alt-text via GPT – "A split image comparing vintage technology predictions with modern smartwatches. Left side shows a retro magazine article titled "THE ELECTRONIC REVOLUTION" from "HOMES AND ENVIRONMENT" featuring illustrations of a futuristic "wristwatch radio-telephone" concept called a "risto." The article describes how city dwellers could use these devices to talk to anyone anywhere, send electronic mail, and even participate in instant voting. It includes detailed drawings of the wrist device with labeled features like "pop-out aerials," "digital readouts," and "emergency buttons." Right side shows modern smartwatches in use, displaying navigation maps, health monitoring features (labeled "Fall," "Trip," "Slip"), and people wearing Apple Watches in everyday situations. The juxtaposition highlights how remarkably accurate some of these past predictions were for today's wearable technology."
1517 Fund@1517.bsky.social · last yr.

Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt van Rijn. 1633. Rembrandt's only seascape was stolen from a Boston museum in 1990. Its location is currently unknown.

Rembrandt van Rijn (Leyden, 1606 - 1669, Amsterdam) Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, 1633
1517 Fund@1517.bsky.social · last yr.

Early Space Shuttle concepts were uncannily close to SpaceX's Starship - part: 1,241,022 In this Grumman Shuttle proposal, the Shuttle is designed around a ‘lifting body’ design, similar to Starship, with the idea (most likely) being a similar re-entry profile.

alt-text via GPT – "This image shows a dramatic space scene featuring a white Space Shuttle with "UNITED STATES" written in black letters on its side. The shuttle is flying above Earth's curved surface, which appears as blue-green landmasses and ocean below. In the upper portion of the image, there's a satellite or space station module with solar panels extended. An astronaut can be seen floating in space, connected by a tether line, appearing to be conducting a spacewalk or EVA (extravehicular activity). The scene is bathed in striking reddish-orange atmospheric colors that blend into the deep black of space, creating a sunset-like effect across the upper portion of the image. Stars are visible scattered throughout the dark space background. The overall composition has a somewhat vintage or artistic quality, emphasizing the majesty and drama of human space exploration."
1517 Fund@1517.bsky.social · last yr.

Just your regularly scheduled reminder that in the 1950s, the US designed & planned to mass manufacture giant Mach 3 airplanes. 2.4k mi (3.9k km) in 90 min. Or, NYC to LA in 90 min.

alt-text via GPT – "Collage showing GE YJ93 jet engine technology designed for the XB-70 program: detailed technical cutaway diagram of the turbojet engine (top), engine test firing with afterburner flames (bottom left), and black-and-white photos of YJ93 engines in manufacturing and testing facilities (bottom right)."
1517 Fund@1517.bsky.social · last yr.

The Kowloon Walled City used to be an actual walled city - a fortress. Historical accidents turned it into a world of its own with 700+ factories / industrial premises and hundreds of unlicensed schools, medical clinics, doctors and dentists.

alt-text via GPT — "This infographic titled "City of anarchy" provides a detailed examination of Kowloon Walled City, a former high-density settlement in Hong Kong. The centerpiece is a detailed isometric cutaway illustration showing the incredibly dense urban structure that housed 50,000 residents in just 2.7 hectares. The illustration reveals multiple levels of cramped apartments, narrow corridors, and makeshift construction, with people visible in various rooms and activities throughout the complex. Key statistics displayed include: 500 buildings packed into the small area Monthly rent of HK$35 for tiny spaces 40 square feet per person living space Population density comparisons showing it was far denser than Hong Kong (6,500 people per square kilometer) or Manhattan (25,000)"
1517 Fund@1517.bsky.social · last yr.

Table of fortifications from Ephraim Chamber's 1728 Cyclopædia. Or, "An Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences; containing the Definitions of the Terms, and Accounts of the Things signify'd thereby, in the several Arts, both Liberal and Mechanical, and the several Sciences, Human and Divine [..]"

Alt-text via GPT — "Detailed 18th-century technical diagram of military fortification design, featuring a central hexagonal fortress, surrounded by precise illustrations of engineering tools, defensive structures, cannons, barriers, and architectural elements. The black and white engraving demonstrates complex military architectural principles and defensive strategies."
1517 Fund@1517.bsky.social · last yr.

Early Space Shuttle concepts were uncannily similar to SpaceX's Starship. This proposal from the 1971 was proposed by Grumman Aerospace & Boeing for NASA's "Alternate Space Shuttle Concept[s]" study. It had a modified Saturn V first stage w/ a shuttle-like vehicle on top.

A starship like vehicle that was proposed for NASA's Space Shuttle alternatives study.
1517 Fund@1517.bsky.social · last yr.

How we used to live. Cutaways of a roundhouse from the Bronze Age. "[Their] layout [..mirrored modern homes with space] for cooking, sleeping, and textile production. [Residents ate] porridge, cereals, honey, and stews made with beef, mutton, and fish"

alt-text via GPT — "An aerial view of a reconstructed ancient circular stone dwelling with a cutaway roof, revealing the interior. Inside, three figures in simple clothing gather around a central fire pit within the stone-walled structure. The dwelling has a circular stone base with wooden framework supporting what would be a thatched roof. A hide-covered entrance frame is visible at the front, and various wooden implements are scattered around the exterior. A copyright mark indicates "©Bob Marshall 2023" in the bottom corner."alt-text via GPT — "The same ancient circular stone dwelling shown from the same aerial angle, but with its thatched roof fully intact. The structure features a complete dome-shaped thatch roof supported by wooden beams over circular stone walls. The dwelling has a hide-covered entrance frame and a woven basket visible beside the doorway. The surrounding area shows rocky ground and sparse vegetation. This image provides the exterior view of the same structure shown in cutaway form in the first image. The same copyright mark "©Bob Marshall 2023" appears in the bottom corner."
1517 Fund@1517.bsky.social · last yr.

If you're focused on what matters, then who cares if you're the leading strand or an Okazaki fragment. In life, as in molecular biology, results matter more.

alt-text via GPT — "A meme featuring a close-up photo of an orange tabby cat with large, expressive eyes looking directly at the camera with what appears to be a sad or disappointed expression. Above the cat is a colorful molecular model showing DNA strands in blue, pink, red, and teal colors. White text overlaid on the image reads 'when u thought you were the leading strand but you were an Okazaki fragment all along' followed by a disappointed face emoji. This is a science humor meme referencing DNA replication terminology."
1517 Fund@1517.bsky.social · last yr.

Reconstructed Iron age Hillfort from ~500BC. "several important finds [were found in the fort like] a [Bronze Age] cup-and-ring marked rock [&] Pictish slab [showing] an incised bull." Reconstruction by Bob Marshall commissioned by Fife Coast & Countryside Trust, 2015.

alt-text via GPT — "An aerial view illustration of an ancient hillfort settlement, showing multiple concentric rings of earthwork ramparts and stone walls built into the natural contours of a large hill. The fortification has several terraced levels, with the highest point featuring stone walls and buildings with red roofs. Throughout the different levels are scattered roundhouses and other ancient dwellings typical of Iron Age settlements. Small figures of people and livestock can be seen throughout the settlement, bringing it to life. The surrounding landscape shows rolling green countryside with other hills visible in the distance under an overcast sky with birds flying overhead. The artistic style suggests this is a historical reconstruction showing how such an Iron Age hillfort community might have appeared in ancient times."