It must be true, because that was the system I used in the sand box. The best parts were the accidents we’d stage when we snuck a little gas from the lawn mower and some matches.
Google “Excavator Covered Bridge New Brunswick” for a look at last months “screw up” by a construction company near me. They finally got it removed last week.
Sounds like the kind of answers my Dad used to give us as kids. When we asked what the symbol road signs meant (the ones without words), he told us, “Those were to confuse the Germans during the war.” We lived in New York. LOL
My kids soon learned to know when I was pulling their leg, and loved to catch me at it. They got the right answers afterwards, but they enjoyed the entertainment.
What is harder for engineers to predict isn’t the weight failure limit, but failure from harmonic occillations:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw
Calvin’s Dad does this to him a lot. Some of the moments I remember are saying he bought him as a Kmart Blue Light Special, that the world was black in white, that the way a carburetor works is a secret and that the sun (which is about the size of a quarter) sets in the middle of Arizona.
I looked carefully at the flight manual for the C-130, Some of the charts were based on “flight data” – I tended to trust these. Some were “calculated” – um OK. Others were “estimated” – I hoped I never had to depend on those charts.
Poor dad can’t have any fun with the boy. My dad did the same with me but I eventually realized he was yanking my chain after hanging on his every word for so long.
I find Calvin’s Dad quite creative, and in fairness, there are some business folks who do what he is suggesting.
Although he never built bridges, Earl “Madman” Muntz did build a car for a period of time; but he was more infamous for the TV receivers he built and sold under the Muntz label in the 1950s. They were always cheaper than competitive brands, and there is a story behind how he was able to do this:
When color TV was in its infancy, the sets were very expensive so Muntz purchased one of the best on the market, an RCA I believe, and after giving it to his technicians they were told to start removing components from the set until it stopped working. They would reinstall the last component and begin doing the same to another part of the chassis.
When they finally had all the components removed except for just what was necessary to make the set work, this became the design for the Muntz Color TV…
This would be a perfect time to post a picture of Earl Muntz, his car, and his TV; but unfortunately, we are no longer allowed to “spam” GoComics with fun and informative photos.
BE THIS GUY about 8 years ago
No self-respecting father ever says the following words:
I DON’T KNOW.
somebodyshort about 8 years ago
It must be true, because that was the system I used in the sand box. The best parts were the accidents we’d stage when we snuck a little gas from the lawn mower and some matches.
Steve Bartholomew about 8 years ago
You mean that’s not how they do it?
bigcatbusiness about 8 years ago
And this is why certain children are so paranoid of everything.
TheSkulker about 8 years ago
But where’s the fun in that???
the calvinosaurus that calvin wanted to discover about 8 years ago
I feel sorry for whoever had to drive the 10 ton truck.
somebodyshort about 8 years ago
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/22/nipigon-river-bridge-fail-blamed-on-design
Egrayjames about 8 years ago
Google “Excavator Covered Bridge New Brunswick” for a look at last months “screw up” by a construction company near me. They finally got it removed last week.
Cozmik Cowboy about 8 years ago
having spent 25 years driving trucks, I’d have felt better if that was how they did it.
And any Dad who doesn’t answer like Calvin’s dad is falling down on the job (just ask my sons….)
Phred Premium Member about 8 years ago
Funny. Another mystery of life revealed.
crobinson019 about 8 years ago
My Dad told me the same thing—I think it’s true
dlkrueger33 about 8 years ago
Sounds like the kind of answers my Dad used to give us as kids. When we asked what the symbol road signs meant (the ones without words), he told us, “Those were to confuse the Germans during the war.” We lived in New York. LOL
car2ner about 8 years ago
this is what Dad’s do. They tell Tall Tales and Dad Jokes.
Doug Taylor Premium Member about 8 years ago
My kids believed everything I told them until they were at least ten years old. I had so much fun.
Farside99 about 8 years ago
My kids soon learned to know when I was pulling their leg, and loved to catch me at it. They got the right answers afterwards, but they enjoyed the entertainment.
Carl R about 8 years ago
What is harder for engineers to predict isn’t the weight failure limit, but failure from harmonic occillations:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw
Packratjohn Premium Member about 8 years ago
TTD, or Test to Destruction, was the tried and true way.
StarWarsGuy500 about 8 years ago
Makes sense to me.
BiggerNate91 about 8 years ago
Calvin’s Dad does this to him a lot. Some of the moments I remember are saying he bought him as a Kmart Blue Light Special, that the world was black in white, that the way a carburetor works is a secret and that the sun (which is about the size of a quarter) sets in the middle of Arizona.
cubswin2016 about 8 years ago
Mom should slap Dad upside his head as soon as he isn’t driving.
dflak about 8 years ago
I looked carefully at the flight manual for the C-130, Some of the charts were based on “flight data” – I tended to trust these. Some were “calculated” – um OK. Others were “estimated” – I hoped I never had to depend on those charts.
Motormaniac about 8 years ago
Those three little words that men find so hard to say….
I don’t know.
Teto85 Premium Member about 8 years ago
Dad’s answer is more fun than the reality of “Math.”
Sailor46 USN 65-95 about 8 years ago
He knows an answer, it just happens to be the Wrong Answer.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] about 8 years ago
Seems to work for Calvin. Too bad Mom wants to fill his head with facts.
cheap_day_return about 8 years ago
Dad is a little young to MSU.
coffeeturtle about 8 years ago
Dad just knows how to mess with the boy.And the boy knows how to mess with his dad.Family.
Kirk Barnes Premium Member about 8 years ago
The truth requires no imagination.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member about 8 years ago
Dad’s answers are the best!!! I love reading them!!
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member about 8 years ago
I have always really enjoyed Calvin’s Father’s answers…. his humor is so wry. It is an approach I have used myself with my own kids.
Number Three about 8 years ago
Yep. “I don’t know” will suffice.
Calvin will have to like it or lump it.
xxx
UpaCoCoCreek Premium Member about 8 years ago
That’s gonna be one messed up monkey they’re raising.
GROG Premium Member about 8 years ago
Poor dad can’t have any fun with the boy. My dad did the same with me but I eventually realized he was yanking my chain after hanging on his every word for so long.
BobCu about 8 years ago
Calvin asked a good question. I was curious so I looked it up. http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=175437
ZestyZippy about 8 years ago
I love that he comes up with these fibs immediatelyIt seems like revenge for all the times Calvin messes with him (like never taking a good picture)
neverenoughgold about 8 years ago
I find Calvin’s Dad quite creative, and in fairness, there are some business folks who do what he is suggesting.
Although he never built bridges, Earl “Madman” Muntz did build a car for a period of time; but he was more infamous for the TV receivers he built and sold under the Muntz label in the 1950s. They were always cheaper than competitive brands, and there is a story behind how he was able to do this:
When color TV was in its infancy, the sets were very expensive so Muntz purchased one of the best on the market, an RCA I believe, and after giving it to his technicians they were told to start removing components from the set until it stopped working. They would reinstall the last component and begin doing the same to another part of the chassis.
When they finally had all the components removed except for just what was necessary to make the set work, this became the design for the Muntz Color TV…
neverenoughgold about 8 years ago
This would be a perfect time to post a picture of Earl Muntz, his car, and his TV; but unfortunately, we are no longer allowed to “spam” GoComics with fun and informative photos.
SIGH…
hmvanyel about 8 years ago
Wouldn’t it be the truck before the one that caused the bridge to fall?
Zero-Gabriel about 8 years ago
So this is where all manner of Ignorance and Bull$h!t is Born from…
sandlotlover about 8 years ago
I would have said that too!