"In 1837, Hong Renkun (Also known as Hong Xiuquan; January 1st, 1814 – June 1st, 1864) obtained visions during his recovery from mental illness, possibly caused by his second failed attempt at the imperial examinations. In 1840, Feng Yunshan (modern: 冯云山; traditional: 馮雲山; 1815- June 10th, 1852) founded ‘God Worshippers’. By 1843, the God Worshipping Society (拜上帝教) was established by Hong and Feng Yunshan in Hua Country (花縣; Present day Hua, Huaxian or Fahsien County, 花县, in Guangzhou). In 1844, they moved to Guanxi (广西). In 1849, Hong and Feng recruited Shi Dakai (modern: 石达开; traditional: 石達開; Also known as Wing King, Yi Wang or ‘Lord of Five Thousand Years’, 翼王五千岁). Due to famine, the Society of the Heaven and the Earth (Also called the Heaven and Earth Society; Tiandihui, modern: 天地; Hongmen modern:洪門) staged a rebellion against the local Qing government.
In July, 1850 Hong amassed 20,000 followers in Jintian Village in Guiping County, Guangxi. By December, 1850 the local militia at Xunzhou (潯州) attempted to kill Hong and Feng, however failed to do so. On January 1st, 1851 the Green Standard Army mobilized for an attack in Jintian, however they were ambushed and not able to outmaneuver their foes resulted in their defeat. These attacks spark the group to establish the Kingdom of Heavenly Peace in January 1851. On January 11th, 1851 they proclaimed their ruling against the Qing dynasty.
By March 19th, 1854, they had captured Nanjing and established it as their Heavenly capital. Hong declared himself as the Heavenly King of the Heavenly Kingdom of Peace."
Source: Your Best Guide to Shanghai - 2017 Edition
“Software (computer software) are machine-readable instructions that provide directions
to the processor to perform specific functions. Most programmers are only exposed to
language libraries which are considered ‘higher level’ as they provide instructions which
are closer to a spoken languages. These high level languages, of which there are
thousands of different kinds, have to be translated down to a lower language, often either
Assembly or FORTH, where they can be further translated down to a machine specific (ie.
processor, processor family, etc) numerical code (often bit patterns represent in
hexadecimal [base 16] or octal [base 8]).”
Source: 3D Print/From Shoes to Spaceships: The Current and Developing
Capabilities of Manufacturing
“It is difficult to detect stellar objects which are traveling and often when they are
detected the potential risk must be calculated – however due to limited sensing
technology there are many unknown factors including shape, orientation, albedo
(reflected sunlight), surface features, crater formation, material composition, thermal
“reillumination”, radiate pressure, etc. and therefore an estimate of danger must be made
on its known trajectory, which normally can only be determined once enough information
is captured that it is possible to plot its travel from the time of detection.
Source: The Quick and Easy Guide to Asteroids
“The first western discovery of balloon technology was made by Joseph-Michel
Montgolfier (August 26th 1740 – June 26th 1810) in November 1782. He believed that
smoke from a fire contained a special gas, which he called Montgolfier Gas, that had the
property of 'levity'. He recruited his brother Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier (January 6th
1745 – August 2nd 1799) to do further experimentation. Together they built a globeshaped
balloon out of sackcloth and three layers of paper, held together with 1800
buttons and a reinforced fishing net which provided for an envelope of 790m3 which had
a mass of 225kg. On June 5th 1783 they launched the craft which flew for 10 minutes,
travelled for 2km. On Sept 11th 1783 a larger balloon with a 1060m3 enveloped made of
taffeta (silk-like material) coated with alum varnish called "Aérostat Réveillon" was
tested successfully. On September 19th, 1783 it was tested again carrying a sheep, a duck,
and a rooster and launched at the royal palace in Versailles with King Louis XVI of
France and Queen Marie Antoinette present. After an 8 minute flight, it traveled for about
3km in distance. On October 15, 1783 Jacques-Étienne made a tethered flight, which is
considered the first manned flight. A second tether flight was made the same day,
carrying Jean- François Pilâtre de Rozier (March 30th 1754 - June 15th 1785). On
November 21st 1783, a balloon with an envelope of 1,700 m3 was launched and flew for
25 minutes and covered 9km, carrying Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François
Laurent le Vieux d'Arlandes (1742 – 1 May 1st 1809). This flight was considered as the
first free flight in western history.”
Source: Intelligence: Kites, Aerostats, Aerodynes, Robotics and Spacecrafts
“Typical electroshock weapons are designed to cause neuromuscular incapacitation
which is the incapacitation of both nerves and muscles. Often it functions by ‘shortcircuting’
the neurons of nerve cells which stops communication with the muscles. The
results can be life altering. If the neurons do not recover from the shock, a general
‘wasting’ of the cells and muscles will occur until the victim dies. If the neurons do
recover, they may be changed in a way which has unintended long term consquences,
such as mis-fires, twitching, cramping, general aches and pain. Brain, Heart, Lung and
other organs functions can also be effected.”
Source: A Comprehensive review of Civil Disorder Non/Lethal Weapons
“Kites come in a range of shapes and sizes, from very small to immense ones covering
hundreds of meters. They may be controlled by single individuals to a large team, to
semi-automated to fully automated sailing systems. They can be used as weapons
themselves or carry payloads of varied mass for a broad range of purposes.
The Book of Sui (Traditional Mandarin: 隋書; Simplified Mandarin: 隋书; pinyin: Suí
Shū) is a chronological narrative of the history of China, with 8 volumes covering the Sui
dynasty (589- 618 AD). It is part of a 294 volume work spanning from 1046 BC – 960 AD.
It was commissioned by Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty and published in 636 AD.
It indicates a successful manned flight of a paper owl kite in 559 AD by Yuan Huangtou
(Eastern Wei prince) from the 33 meter tall 金凰台 (Golden Phoenix) Tower to 紫陌
(Velvety Red) Road some 2.5km away.”
Source: Kites and other Delights