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.
AW, that’s an ace shot. The angle, the muted – mostly black – colors against the bright sky, the expression on his face…
You have to post this to different Flickr groups!!
Sigh…this guy…
had to look it up of course!
A gimbal is a device using Euler angles to measure the rotation of an object in three dimensions and to control that rotation. The device is usually a set of two or three rings mounted on axes at right angles so as to allow a compass or a ball to remain suspended in a horizontal plane, regardless of the motion of its support.
that having been said, i could care less about david blaine.
That’s alright Luna, Irena will take your share.
I like his street magic, but this stunt is a bit lame.
A really fabulous shot… I love the way the metal bands form arcs over his head… and he looks like he is looking at you with suspicion…
We all know what a gimbal is now too.
The curious thing for me though , is why in the states you say ‘ I could care less’ (Luna Park) and in the UK we say " I couldn’t care less’ to mean the same thing. Hmmm….
He’s kind of vulnerable up there. I’d be looking at everyone with suspicion.
This photograph appears in a NowPublic news story: Blaine Spins for Publicity & Charity in NYC.
This photograph appears in a NowPublic news story: Blaine Spins for Publicity & Charity in NYC.
I hear he came down for the sales…
Yeah, Doc, I hear the stunt ended pretty spectacularly with him jumping 40 feet to the platform below after enduring the cold heavy rain and wind. I haven’t seen any video but it sounds cool.