Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Pump it up when you don't really need it




When you come across this pump in Broadwick Street, Soho, you might wonder why it has no handle. You might conclude that it has lost it over the years, but it has only been installed since the early 90's.

Instead, it is to mark the milestone achievement of John Snow, he of the eponymous pub a few days back. He was a doctor in the early 19th century who, by scientific observation of the incidence of cholera (very common in London, back then) discovered that it was likely a water borne disease. He identified a pump very near here as the source of an outbreak and took off the handle. Outbreak stopped, so simple and elegant and saved innumerable lives.

Now you can't get those glasses, the haircut and the tune out your head? OK then, click here.

posted by Ham at 00:02 -- Comments here: 1

Comments on "Pump it up when you don't really need it"

 

Blogger Ron Scheer said ... (01:17) : 

The pump don't work cause the vandals took the handle. Bob Dylan.

 

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Name: Ham Location: London, United Kingdom View my complete profile