David Blaine
Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006
Everytime I’ve seen Blaine do one of these stunts he looks to be in pain or bored witless. They are calling this thing a gyroscope, I think it is more correctly called a gimbal. He was not spinning when I saw him. I had to search a bit to find him, as he is not directly in Times Square, but in a parking lot on 46th Street near Eighth Avenue.
A gimbal is a mechanical device that allows the rotation of an object in multiple dimensions. It is typically made up of two or three pairs of pivots, mounted on axes at right angles. A three-axis gimbal may allow an object mounted on it to remain in a horizontal plane regardless of the motion of its support. Shipboard compasses, chronometers, stove and even drink holders are typically mounted on gimbals to keep them level to the horizon at all times. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimbal
I think he could create some cool chaotic gyrations if he started swinging around, but at ten this morning he had barely the energy to raise a hand or nod his head.
They are predicting rain for the next two days. I wonder if they will put a tarp over him? These endurance stunts are kind of creepy. We get to know too much about his bodily functions. And now I’m imagining his clothing bloating with the rain and him marinating within on this 3-dimensional spit. This is not pretty. But to tell the truth. I will probably check in on him again. But, David, please mix some street magic in with the creepy endurance stunts.
Most of the news reports I’ve seen call this thing a gyroscope. A gyroscope would be a useful thing to put in a set of gimbals, but unless he starts to rotate at a high speed, this is not a gyroscope. I’m sure it was chosen for its resemblance to the sponsor’s logo. The sponsor is giving shopping sprees to needy kids, if he escapes on Friday.
