Left: Owners of the Russian motorcycle the 'Ural', line up at factory to complain.We were giggling at the Russian car the Lada the other day at work. Specifically the Lada Niva.
Like you do.
Actually we were giggling at Russian engineering in general... just for the hell of it. I'd recently read a terrifying book about Mir Space Station (say "Mir" like Eric Cartman would it's more fun) which was illuminating.
The thing that kicked it off was the subject of engineering tolerance. I work with people who are concerned with that sort of thing. To try and fit in I related a story about Ladas that tickled me because it showed Russian engineering and ingenuity; in sharp contrast.
Ladas were released (or expelled from the collective, who knows) in a couple of different engine sizes. They were approximately 1600s or 1700s. The story goes that the manufacturing accuracy was so poor that they made them all the same way and measured the engine capacity after the fact. Whichever of the two approximations the car's engine got closest to, was the badge it got on the back.
This led a colleague to reminisce about the Russian motorcycle called the Ural. I think that is brilliant to name a motorcycle after a mountain range - they are both cold and uncomfortable to be on top of, dangerous to fall off, and will not go around corners.
Hello Sir,
ReplyDeleteJust thought I'd point out that for many women the word 'Ural' represents something you buy from the pharmacy to treat urinary tract infections.
Best, N9M
Dear Mistress of number 9. I remember the Ural sachet well. There was a sports drink that came out with a similar colour scheme on its packaging, and on more than one occasion, I had to double check what I was drinking.
ReplyDeleteA complex area to get into, but now that we have... Ural bike, Ural medicine - Both good for kick in the crutch.