Great Moments in Engineering

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Great Moments in Engineering
In an issue of the 2003 Meat & Poultry magazine, editors quoted from "Feathers," the publication of the California Poultry Industry Federation, telling the following story: The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a unique device for testing the strength of windscreens on aeroplanes. The device is a gun that launches a dead chicken at a plane's windscreen at approximately the speed the plane flies. The theory is that if the windscreen doesn't crack from the carcass impact, it will survive a real collision with a bird during flight. It seems the British were very interested in this and wanted to test a windscreen on a brand new, speedy locomotive they were developing. They borrowed FAA's chicken launcher, loaded the chicken and fired. The ballistic chicken shattered the windscreen, broke the engineer's chair and embedded itself in the back wall of the engine's cab. The British were stunned and asked the FAA to recheck the test to see if everything was done correctly. The FAA reviewed the test thoroughly and had one recommendation: "Use a thawed chicken." Friend, communication is so vital to good relationships, yet it is so subject to breakdowns. Have you ever found yourself in trouble (in your marriage, in friendships, or at work) because you didn't listen carefully to what someone else said to you? You thought you understood correctly, and you almost understood correctly, but you overlooked one tiny detail and it almost proved to be disastrous. Listening is an art that so few have mastered. Most of us would much rather be heard than take the time and trouble to listen to others. But God's Word has much to say about the value of listening. "Listen to advice and accept correction, and in the end you will be wise" (Proverbs 19:20). "My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak" (James 1:19a). Friend, let me encourage you to take the effort today to listen carefully to others. It just may prevent a frozen chicken from flying through your windscreen! Have a great day!

In an issue of the 2003 Meat & Poultry magazine, editors quoted from "Feathers," the publication of the California Poultry Industry Federation, telling the following story:

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a unique device for testing the strength of windscreens on aeroplanes. The device is a gun that launches a dead chicken at a plane's windscreen at approximately the speed the plane flies.

The theory is that if the windscreen doesn't crack from the carcass impact, it will survive a real collision with a bird during flight.

It seems the British were very interested in this and wanted to test a windscreen on a brand new, speedy locomotive they were developing. They borrowed FAA's chicken launcher, loaded the chicken and fired.

The ballistic chicken shattered the windscreen, broke the engineer's chair and embedded itself in the back wall of the engine's cab. The British were stunned and asked the FAA to recheck the test to see if everything was done correctly.

The FAA reviewed the test thoroughly and had one recommendation:

"Use a thawed chicken."

Friend, communication is so vital to good relationships, yet it is so subject to breakdowns. Have you ever found yourself in trouble (in your marriage, in friendships, or at work) because you didn't listen carefully to what someone else said to you? You thought you understood correctly, and you almost understood correctly, but you overlooked one tiny detail and it almost proved to be disastrous.

Listening is an art that so few have mastered. Most of us would much rather be heard than take the time and trouble to listen to others. But God's Word has much to say about the value of listening.

"Listen to advice and accept correction, and in the end you will be wise" (Proverbs 19:20).

"My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak" (James 1:19a).

Friend, let me encourage you to take the effort today to listen carefully to others. It just may prevent a frozen chicken from flying through your windscreen!

Have a great day!