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[–] 16 points 14 hours ago*

FYI this type visual chart is called a nomogram, and they’re a precursor to modern calculators.

They also form the basis of mechanical computers.

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  • [–] 18 points 16 hours ago

    It looks like the same language and layout used in the The Next Generation Technical Manual and now I wonder how much of that was just lifted from the continuity bible they created to help make the show.

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  • [–] 4 points 12 hours ago

    I am truly disappointed in myself for having misplaced my copy of this book somewhere over the last 30ish years.

    I vividly remember poring over the pages during winter break.

    There was another similar one I got afterwards, but I can't find that one either!

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  • [–] 7 points 15 hours ago (6 children)

    In the naked now didn't Wesley 'invent' the pushing tractor beam?

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  • [–] 4 points 15 hours ago (3 children)

    I thought it was just a miniaturization thereof.

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  • [–] 5 points 14 hours ago (2 children)

    I seem to recall that the enterprise needed more time to restart the engines and they used Wesley's concepts to turn the tractor beam into a 'repulser beam' to gain a few more seconds from...a comet strike? Or something like that? I'll check later tonight.

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  • [–] 5 points 13 hours ago (1 child)

    That’s correct.

    And he did it all while drunk on that weird contaminant chemical.

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  • [–] 1 point 8 hours ago

    Yep. Rewatched it, the enterprise 'wiring' had to be changed according to the chief engineer, which would take too long... I guess they decided from that point on that they could just flip between those configurations at will. Not that it helped when Frasier Crane left cheers and drove straight into their nacelle.

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