Early on in the Clock project we saw that of all the modern timepiece companies few were doing truly new things.  One of the rare exceptions was Ulysse Nardin.  Once we completed the first Clock prototype in fact we hosted Ludwig Oechslin their chief design innovator for several months here in San Francisco to evaluate our Clock which was very instructive.

Long Now member and alumni Camille Davila sent me a note about a recent development at Ulysse Nardin, a cell phone that is charged by an offset weight swinging around from the ambient motion of the owner.  This is an adaptation from mechanical self winding watch technology of course, but it is very cool to see it crossing over into other personal electronics. You can see more on this on their website here.

 Greg Baiden the underground engineer working on the Clock Project, just sent in these great photos of the new bookcase that he had made for his office.  On either side of the bookcase are amazingly well detailed stained glass reproductions of the planet tracking Orrery we completed in 02005 (detail image below).  Apparently there is now a desk in the works that includes inlay and stained glass of the Clock dial.  Cant wait to see that…

The Long News: stories that might still matter fifty, or a hundred, or ten thousand years from now.

NASA is rethinking its mission. A few lucky space tourists are taking $20 million roller-coaster rides. But at this point, it’s unclear how soon, or whether, humans will return to the moon — and Mars seems even further away. To infinity and beyond? Well, maybe not quite yet.

Here are some recent stories about the final frontier:

1. Some new ideas in space transportation:
Inflatable tower promises easy access to outer space
Ion engine could one day power 39-day trip to Mars

2. If we can’t visit space, we can explore it by computer:
New findings on the birth of the solar system
Mock supernova created by supercomputer

3. Or by telescope: China, US may cooperate on world’s biggest telescope

4. Danger, Will Robinson: Earth could be blindsided by asteroids, panel warns

5. But there’s good news: Comets probably won’t cause the end of life

6. In fact, comets might have caused the beginning: Comet holds building block for life

7. Or maybe life was started by: Death rays from space

8. Sadly: Martian life appears less likely

We invite you to submit Long News story suggestions here.