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The Schalmei

8/29/2016

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... or Martin-Trumpet

In any other context, the “Schalmei” (French chalumai, English shawm) is a completely different instrument: a woodwind forerunner of the modern oboe tracing back to the Middle Ages (see the sidebar) . How the name came to be applied to two such unrelated instruments is not clear, but this otherworldly German cousin to the military bugle is also called a Martin’s Trumpet (named for the inventor Max Martin

​Martin may best be remembered for the hi-low tone used on emergency vehicles 

Shawm: the Predecessors

Shawm are  double-reed woodwind instruments made in Europe from the 12th century to the present day. Their classic Renaissance sound was gradually eclipsed by the oboe family of descendant instruments in classical music. 
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More on Max B. Martin

​The foundation stone for the German signal instrument factory Max B. Martin GmbH & Co. KG which opened in 1880 were hunting horns, cavalry trumpets and fanfare trumpets for two- or four-note signals. The now-famous Kaiserfanfare signal, "now here, now there," announces vehicles of the royal family.

In the early days, motor car horns and fire horns were production-priorities. These were also the years when many volunteer fire brigades called Martin Chapels were already responding to fires using onboard 8-tone Martin trumpets, 

In 1932 they developed the German signal instrument factory to manufacture for fire and police departments a horn with a "prescribed priority warning". Up to World War II, these horns were made for emergency vehicles only.
Thanks to the Max Martin Company and the Wende Museum
more news here 
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Hackers publish 3D blueprints for TSA "Master Keys"

8/4/2016

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“TSA locks [are] only one step above having no lock at all”
At a conference in New York., a group of hackers released files that allows anyone with a 3D printer to produce the eighth and last TSA master key (TSA approved luggage locks allow TSA and other luggage security personnel to unlock and inspect your bags using master keys).

In 2014, the Washington Post inadvertently published an article which included a high resolution photo of all seven Travel Sentry TSA master keys from which someone was able to digitally recreate the keys, and then share the files.

The hackers have said that the purpose of the project was not to scare people but to highlight the dangers of "government key escrow", a data security measure in which a third party is trusted with a cryptographic key that they may only use with the authorization of the entrusting agency. Nevertheless, the net result of their move was that anyone with a 3D printed key could have access to your luggage,

What to Do?
Security experts have long touted that, even before the breech, TSA locks do not fully protect your belongings. Matt Blaze (University of PA computer science professor) told Wired that he sometimes picks his own TSA locks as it's faster than locating his keys.

security consultant Chris McGoey told the Intercept that “TSA locks on luggage [are] only one step above having no lock at all -- especially on soft-sided luggage”  

​So we recommend you continue using TSA-locks, but put high-valued items in your carry-on or arrange to have them shipped via an insured carrier (e,g, FedEx, UPS).
What Are TSA Locks?
In the United States the TSA requires access to luggage without the passenger being present; to allow travelers to secure their luggage they have accepted certain locks which the TSA can open and relock. to avoid a  forced (lock-breaking) action.

Locks with the Travel Sentry identifying mark (red diamond) are TSA-accepted.
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Some TSA accepted locks feature an indicator which will appear red if opened by a master key, so the owner will know that their bag has been accessed.

more news here ​
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Variations on "Happy Birthday" a viral sensation

8/2/2016

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Nicole Pesce at a 2011 concert displayed virtuosity, creativity, and humor as she speculates on how master composers might have performed "Happy Birthday".  We've also included a Victor Borge performance recorded 60 years earlier..
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