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Old November 9th, 2008, 02:30 PM
dammit's Avatar
dammit dammit is offline
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The story of Percy shaw

The story of Percy shaw inventor of cats eyes. (Shamelessly nicked )

Percy (the inventor of "cats eyes" amongst other things) was cycling down the road one dark winters night after a few yorkshire ales with his cohorts in a remote moorland pub, his oil light fickering away on the front of his newly acquired bicycle, shining out from under its glass lens. Now as one can imagine, an oil lamp doesnt throw much light, and certainly not far enough for you to steer your bike down the correct side of the road on a twisty, winding, moonless carriageway.

Now, our Percy as you can imagine, was having to cycle inefficiently by picking roadside objects to navigate his way by, when all of a sudden!!!!!!!!!

A cat jumped out of a bush some 40 paces in front of him and being startled, glared at the oil light making its way erratically up the road.

The reflection of the oil light was intensified by the cats eye lenses and thrown back at our Percy to give him a steer in the direction of the cat, when he had his EUREKA moment.

By placing glass reflectors in the middle of the road in both directions, traffic in either direction could not only navigate without visiting the roadside verge, but would find it extremely efficient and safer to remain on the correct side of the road, so both cyclists and motorists would benefit on safety and efficiency grounds.

Fantastic invention and made percy`s name synonymous with road safety to this day!



BUT..... What if Percy had encountered the same moggy in the opposite direction?

Either:

Percy Shaw, inventor of the pencil Sharpener

or maybe:

Percy Shaw, inventor of the kitchen tea towel holder.

Proper story here.
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Old November 9th, 2008, 06:03 PM
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degsy degsy is offline
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Quote:
BUT..... What if Percy had encountered the same moggy in the opposite direction?


Percy Shaw, inventor of the pencil Sharpener
Heard that one on QI the other night.
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Old November 10th, 2008, 01:03 AM
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legalsuit legalsuit is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dammit View Post
...Percy (the inventor of "cats eyes" amongst...
Always interesting to read how and where inventors get their inspirations.

Thanks for sharing!
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