I had to laugh.  I'm sure the gas valve wasn't opened until she had the torch
against the front of it, and then the gas was probably valved in sections so the
back wasn't going all the time it took for the flame to reach it.

I've worked behind the scenes before and it is interesting to wonder how many
people think that this is what's supposed to happen, and how many know that
something is wrong.  In this case, the dramatic pause was stretched a bit too
far.  I know one person who didn't realize the torch was going to move up the
track until it did - they assumed all it did was go up 8 ft (3 meters for you
aussies ;-) and were surprised when it started bouncing its way up the track.
Then wondering if the various locks and transfers were actually going to work
when the torch was lifted up on the tower.  Anyone want to tell me how they
transferred the gas lines?  Perhaps they had tanks in the torch, and only after
the crowd was gone did they climb up there and hook a more semi-permanent line
in?

When the olympics are over, are they going to sumberge it back into the water to
put it out?  Or just launch it like a flying discus (saucer for you UFO types)?
And if thye do launch it, where to?  I'm not familiar with the territory.  Are
we anywhere close to the opera house?  How about a nearby ocean, or even large
body of water?  Could we send it flying with any accuracy into the middle of a
nearby olympic venue?  If we spun it before hand would the centripital forces
cause the flame to flatten out into a disc?

And if they do plan on taking it down the track again, what do you want to bet
the locks fail, and the disc just slides down the tracks and into the middle of
the field, still aflame...?

-Adam

Dan Michaels wrote:
> I love it --> "we fix the things engineers design"
>
> Did anyone happen to watch the torch lighting ceremony during
> the olympics, and notice the incredible design of the torch
> carrier? What a bleedin' heart attack.
>
> First, they get a young lady to stand **inside** the "ring of
> fire", and light it. A little more gas, and poof - roasted lady.
> Oh my.
>
> Then, this contraption gets stuck moving the torch up a rickety
> track, blasting fully lit by then, and only a few feet from 100s
> of spectators in the gallery. Flame and smoke blowing wildly.
>
> What a design!! Anyone else get the willies watching it?
>
> - danM
>
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