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The South African edition of Popular Mechanics was launched in 2002 and has fast become the acknowledged voice of science and technology in South Africa. Underpinning its rich sci-tech content is an ever-changing mix of articles covering everything from automotive news and outdoor adventures to DIY projects. In essence, it explains how our world works
SMALL SOLUTIONS
Popular Mechanics South Africa
Ready to roll
TRAILBLAZER
CALENDAR • UPDATE YOUR DIARY • THIS DAY IN HISTORY
TIME MACHINE • It made perfect sense at the time
Elon Musk says settlers will likely die on Mars. He’s right.
HARSHEST PLACES ON EARTH • These locales give the Red Planet a run for its money.
The US Air Force secretly designed, built, and flew a new fighter jet – in just one year
SIZING UP THE COMPETITION
So you think you know 2+2? Try again.
HOW 2+2=5 BECAME POLITICAL PROPAGANDA
The dawn of wireless electricity is finally upon us. This is how New Zealand will do it.
Power without wires
WORK SHARP PRECISION ADJUST
Can Science Cure Death? • It sure looks like it.
THE UNIFIED THEORY OF AGEING, ILLUSTRATED
AN EXPERT CRITIQUES INTRIGUING RAADFEST PRODUCTS • RAADFest presents some potentially compelling innovations in longevity. We asked Nir Barzilai, MD, director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, which ones might be too good to be true.
THIS INMATE USED HIS SOLITARY CONFINEMENT TO LEARN MATHS. NOW HE’S SOLVING THE WORLD’S HARDEST EQUATIONS.
MODULAR ARITHMETIC 101
CONTINUED FRACTIONS 101
Weather, or not? • In some areas, climate change means a drastic reduction in rainfall. It’s hoped that technology, such as cloud seeding, laser drones and geoengineering, will counteract it.
SKY′S THE LIMIT • The list of industries in which aviation drones are crucial tools is ever expanding. Drones are the now, and the future, and the ability to operate one is key. We spoke to drone pilot Oliver Lane from Darkwing Aerials, to gain an insider’s perspective of this burgeoning occupation.
How DJI’s Phantom drone brought aerial photography to the masses
DRONES FOR NEW PILOTS
GRIZZLIES BEARS • ARE RETURNING TO A HABITAT LOST A CENTURY AGO. THE ONLY PROBLEM? WE LIVE THERE NOW.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE A GRIZZLY • ‘Most likely they’re going to go the other way,’ says Wayne Kasworm, grizzly bear biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. ‘They don’t want anything more to do with us than what we want to do with them.’ But you should have a plan for when an encounter is unavoidable.
The science of making alcohol-free beer
The low-down on low-alcohol beer
IT’S SUMMER. IT’S HOT … WHO REALLY WANTS TO COOK? • Sizzling summer days are here, so aside from a relaxed braai, no one wants to spend time cooking in front of a hot stove. That’s good, because we have just the dishes for you…
How to become a Scotch supertaster
3 BOTTLES TO TRY
LEARN TO MAKE MORTISE AND TENON JOINTS • Part three of our series on woodworking joints focuses on the time-honoured mortise and tenon.
HOW TO BE GOOD AT WHAT YOU DO
Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI
Toyota Land Cruiser 300
How to prevent (and fix) surface rust
SOME US CARS MADE OF ALUMINIUM THAT DON’T RUST AND WEIGH LESS, BUT COST MORE:
Clever tips and lifehacks
