The Morgan Roadster V6 is a British, hand-crafted two-seater sports car first produced in 2004 and modelled on the 1930's sports car style. The Morgan Roadster V6 is powered by a three litreJaguar engine providing a top speed of 134 mph and an acceleration of 0 to 60 in just under five seconds and a combined fuel economy of 29 mpg. Critics of the Morgan Roadster V6 complain that the interior is inferior, with plasticbuttons and a plastic steering column which detract from the walnut dashboard and steering wheel and are 'reminiscent of a Ford Mondeo'. The Morgan Roadster V6 lacks power steering which makes steering difficult, but it handles well on country roads. Research Morgan Roadster V6
Soapberry (Sapindus saponaria) is a tropical American tree of the natural order Sapindaceae. The soapberry has alternate leaves and small greenish-white flowers. The fruit is fleshy and contains hard, black, round seeds that have been used as beads and buttons. The outer covering of the seeds when soaked in water produce a lather, and have been used as a natural soap. The root may also be used as a soap but is less effective. Research Soapberry
In Britain, a haberdasher is a dealer in small articles used for sewing, such as buttons, zips, and ribbons In the USA, a haberdasher is a gentlemen's outfitter. Research Haberdasher
Matthew Boulton was an English mechanical engineer. He was born in 1728 at Birmingham and died in 1809. He engaged in business as a manufacturer of hardware, and invented and brought to great perfection inlaid steel buckles, buttons, watch-chains, etc. In 1762 he added to his premises by the purchase of the Soho, a barren heath near Birmingham, where he established an extensive manufactory and school of the mechanical arts. The introduction of the steam-engine at Soho led to a connection between Matthew Boulton and James Watt, who became partners in trade in 1769. Research Matthew Boulton
Red Buttons (real name Aaron Schwatt) is an American comedian and actor. He was born in 1919 at New York. He took the name 'Red Buttons' from his first billing in burlesque in which he was announced as 'Red Buttons the Singing Bellboy". Research Red Buttons
The OpTex Button Cam is a miniature CCD colour or black & white camera with a 3.6mm pinhole lens built into the back of a shirt button. With the front aperture of the lens no more than 1mm in diameter the Button Cam is ideally suited for covert surveillance, slipping neatly through the button hole of most shirts. To keep the front of the shirt flat, press studs are provided for sewing into the shirt above and below the camera. For better concealment, ten matching buttons are supplied allowing the camera to easily blend into the clothing being worn. The colour version is powered by four AA batteries located in a batterypackholder supplied with the camera. The black and white version is powered by a 12Volt NiCad batterypack. For increased personal security both cameras are fitted with a single power in/video out cable measuring less than 2mm in diameter. Research OpTex Button Cam
Celluloid is a hard, unstable synthetic substance once used for films. It is composed of gun-cotton and camphor and is moulded to the desired shape by heat. Celluloid was formerly extensively used as a substitute for ivory, bone, hard rubber, coral, etc, having a close resemblance to these substances in hardness, elasticity, and texture. It was used for buttons, handles for knives, forks, and umbrellas, billiard-balls, piano keys, napkin-rings, backs to brushes, etc. It can be variously coloured, and was known to be dangerous on account of the readiness with which it takes fire, even while being widely used. Research Celluloid
Die-sinking is the art of preparing dies for stamping coins, buttons, medallions, jewelry, fittings, etc.
The steel for the manufacture of dies is carefully selected, forged at a high heat into the rough die, softened by careful annealing, and then handed over to the engraver. After the engraver has worked out the design in intaglio the die is put through the operation of hardening, after which, being cleaned and polished, it is called a matrix. This is not, however, generally employed in multiplying impressions, but is used for making a punch or steel impression for relief. For this purpose another block of steel of the same quality is selected, and, being carefully annealed or softened, is compressed by proper machinery upon the matrix until it receives the impression. When this process is complete the impression is retouched by the engraver, and hardened and collared like the matrix. Any number of dies may now be made from this punch by impressing upon it plugs of soft steel. From the end of the 19th century the earlier process of dies-sinking was commonly replaced by patterns engraved upon rollers for transference to sheet metal by rolling pressure. Research Die-Sinking
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Haberdashery
