Tag Archives: France

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Lifts, escalators & moving walks

At the 1853 New York World’s Fair Elisha Otis amazed a crowd when he ordered the only rope holding the platform on which he was standing cut by an axeman. The platform fell only a few inches before coming to a halt; thus proving the safety locking mechanism he had invented will work. These elevators quickly became the type in most common usage and made vertical living possible.

Elisha Graves Otis shows his first elevator in the Crystal Palace, New York City, 1853. — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

Most large research universities have 100 – 1000 elevators that are highly regulated, maintained by highly regulated service personnel and inspected by highly trained conformance operatives; thus our primary interest in state-specific regulations.  We have a  secondary interest in innovation in the technology generally.  Many sustainability goals urged in academic circles  — which include greater population density in smaller areas — are challenged by mobility issues.

From the project prospectus:

“…The main feature of these products is that they are an integral part of industrial, residential or public buildings. Consequently, they should be adaptable to the technical and architectural constraints of such buildings. They must also meet the capacity requirements imposed by the intended use of the building. These products are considered as means of transport and therefore represent an essential component of the functional life of the buildings in which they are installed. Contrary to most public means of transport, they are intended for free use and operation by their passengers, which makes the integration of safety an essential concern…”

STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN ISO/TC178: Lifts, escalators and moving walks

The Association française de normalisation (AFNOR) is the global Secretariat.  ANSI’s US Technical Advisory Group Administrator is the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.  Stakeholders in US-based education communities are encouraged to communicate directly with ASME;  CLICK HERE.

We maintain the work products of this committee on the standing agendas of our Mechanical, Elevator and Global colloquia; open to everyone.  See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting.

Michigan Stadium — the largest collegiate stadium in the world — has 19 elevators.

Issue: [11-50]

Category: Mechanical, Mobility, Global

Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Larry Spielvogel

Paternoster Lift Challenge

Sicurezza degli ascensori

“Cantique de Jean Racine” Gabriel Fauré.

Gabriel Fauré’s “Cantique de Jean Racine” is a choral work composed in 1865 when Fauré was 19. Written for a four-part choir, it’s a setting of a Latin text by the 17th-century French playwright Jean Racine, which reflects a deep, devotional tone. The text is a hymn of praise and supplication, asking for divine grace and mercy.

Fauré’s composition is noted for its lyrical beauty and sophisticated harmony, showcasing his early mastery of choral writing. The piece begins with a serene, flowing melody in the sopranos, which is then developed and harmonized throughout the choir. The work features lush, rich chords and a gentle, flowing rhythm, characteristic of Fauré’s style, blending simplicity with depth. Its mood is one of quiet contemplation and reverence, aligning with the text’s themes of divine worship and reflection.

 

Qu’est-ce qu’une nation?

Ernest Renan (1823-1892) was a French philosopher, historian, and scholar of religion. He is best known for his work on nationalism and the relationship between language, culture, and identity.  The language of technology– and the catalog of codes, standards, guidelines, recommended practices and government regulations rest upon a common understanding of how things can and should work separately.  The essay is widely cited:

Qu’est-ce qu’une nation ?

What is a Nation ?

What is a Nation ?

In our domain we routinely see technical agreement and disagreement among stakeholders resolved, or left unresolved because of definitions — even when discussion is conducted in English.  We keep the topic of language (Tamil (மொழி) — since it is one of the most widely spoken languages on earth) on our aperiodic Language colloquia.  See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting; open to everyone.

Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

C’est quoi ?

La Loi Ne Fait Plus Le Bonheur

Normalisation volontaire en électrotechnologie

AFNOR: Norme NF C 15-100

National Electrical Codes

English and French are the two most prominent diplomatic languages, especially in historical and international contexts. They have long been the primary languages of diplomacy due to their widespread use in international organizations and historical influence.

English: Dominates in modern diplomacy, international law, and global organizations. It is the working language in many international forums, including the United Nations, NATO, and the Commonwealth of Nations.

French: Traditionally known as the “language of diplomacy,” French was the dominant diplomatic language until the 20th century. It remains a significant language in international relations, particularly within the United Nations, the European Union, and many African nations.

While other languages like Spanish, Arabic, Russian, and Chinese are also used in diplomatic contexts and are official languages of the United Nations, English and French are the most universally recognized and utilized in diplomatic settings.

Alexis de Tocqueville on the Foundations of American Democracy

Alexis de Tocqueville was born in Paris and came from a prominent lineage, with his father serving as a royalist prefect under the Bourbon restoration.

In 1831, at the age of twenty-five, Alexis de Tocqueville made his fateful journey to America, where he observed the thrilling reality of a functioning democracy. From that moment onward, the French aristocrat would dedicate his life as a writer and politician to ending despotism in his country and bringing it into a new age.



Quotes from Alexis de Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America”:

  1. “The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.”
  2. “Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.”
  3. “In democratic ages, human beings rarely sacrifice themselves for one another voluntarily; they almost always do so because they are impelled to by some power outside themselves.”
  4. “Despotism often presents itself as the repairer of all ills suffered, the support of just rights, defender of the oppressed and founder of order.”
  5. “The best laws cannot make a constitution work in spite of morals; morals can turn the worst laws to advantage.”
  6. “I do not know if the people of the United States would vote for superior men if they ran for office, but there can be no doubt that such men do not run.”
  7. “The most dangerous moment for a bad government is when it begins to reform.”
  8. “The Americans combine the notions of Christianity and of liberty so intimately in their minds that it is impossible to make them conceive the one without the other.”
  9. “The will of man is not shattered, but softened, bent, and guided; men are seldom forced by it to act, but they are constantly restrained from acting. Such power does not destroy, but it prevents existence; it does not tyrannize, but it compresses, extinguishes, and stupefies a people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd.”
  10. “Americans combine the notions of Christian morality and of liberty so intimately in their minds that it is impossible to make them conceive the one without the other.”
  11. “In the United States, the most enlightened are the most religious; and the most religious are the most enlightened.”
  12. Americans of all ages, all conditions, and all dispositions constantly form associations… Wherever at the head of some new undertaking you see the government in France, or a man of rank in England, in the United States you will be sure to find an association.”

 

La Loi Ne Fait Plus Le Bonheur

AFNOR a organisé une discussion autour du nouveau livre La Loi Ne Fait Plus le Bonheur (The Law No Longer Makes You Happy) de Françoise Bousquet et Stéphane Jock, préfacé par Alain Lambert.  L’ouvrage se distingue par son caractère grand public : après une clarification du désordre sémantique autour du mot « norme », Les auteurs y présentent de manière simple, ludique et concrète les bienfaits des normes volontaires pour l’individu, l’entreprise et le pays. Ils proposent une voie nouvelle pour mettre enfin un terme à l’inflation de textes législatifs et réglementaires : développer leur complémentarité avec les normes d’application volontaire co-construites par celles et ceux qui sont concernés.

EN SAVOIR PLUS: Classement du bonheur 2023

Qui décide des normes volontaires?

Charcuterie

Charcuterie refers to a variety of cured meats, often accompanied by an assortment of cheeses, fruits, nuts, bread, and spreads. Originating from France, charcuterie was initially focused solely on prepared meat products, such as sausages, pâtés, and confits. Today, a charcuterie board is a popular way to serve an array of meats and complementary foods in a visually appealing and flavorful arrangement as demonstrated here for the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement by Alaura Westrol, Class of 2011.


 

Standards Massachusetts

Cinq ans après

“There’s no escape from belief”
Jordan Peterson

“Prometheus creating Man in the presence of Athena” 1802 | Jean-Simon Berthélemy

Fire Safety

 

BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU

Product Accreditation: Testing, Inspection & Certification

AFNOR Group: Association Française de Normalisation

The release of Beaujolais Nouveau is not just about the wine itself; it’s a cultural and marketing phenomenon that brings people together to celebrate the harvest season, promotes the wine industry, and contributes to the economic and cultural vitality of the regions involved.  The settlements listed below contribute significantly to wine-related research, education, and innovation. Some notable universities and research institutions in France that lead wine research include:

  1. University of Bordeaux (Institute of Vine and Wine Science): The University of Bordeaux, located in one of the world’s most famous wine regions, is renowned for its research in viticulture, oenology, and wine-related sciences. The Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences (ISVV) within the university is a key research center in this field.
  2. Montpellier SupAgro: Montpellier SupAgro, part of the Montpellier University of Excellence, is known for its expertise in agronomy, viticulture, and oenology. They offer research programs and collaborate with the wine industry.
  3. University of Burgundy: The University of Burgundy, situated in the heart of the Burgundy wine region, conducts research in oenology and viticulture. The Jules Guyot Institute is a leading research facility in the field.
  4. Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin (ISVV): Located in Bordeaux, this research institute is dedicated to vine and wine sciences and is affiliated with the University of Bordeaux.
  5. University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne: This university, located in the Champagne region of France, has expertise in Champagne production and conducts research related to winemaking and viticulture.

These institutions, along with various research centers and organizations throughout France, contribute to advancements in wine research, including topics like grape cultivation, wine production techniques, wine chemistry, and the study of wine regions and terroirs. They often collaborate with the wine industry and help maintain France’s position as a leader in the global wine industry.

Beaujolais Nouveau is produced under specific regulations and standards set by the French wine industry. However, there isn’t a specific international standard for Beaujolais Nouveau like there is for some other wines, such as those with controlled designations of origin (AOC) or protected designation of origin (PDO) status.

The production of Beaujolais Nouveau is governed by the rules and regulations of the Beaujolais AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée), which defines the geographical area where the grapes must be grown, the grape varieties allowed, and the winemaking techniques that can be used. The AOC regulations ensure a certain level of quality and authenticity for wines carrying the Beaujolais Nouveau label.

Winemakers producing Beaujolais Nouveau must follow these guidelines, including using the Gamay grape variety, employing specific vinification methods (such as carbonic maceration), and releasing the wine within a limited time frame after the harvest.

While the production standards are regulated at the national level in France, individual producers may have their own techniques and styles within the broader framework of the Beaujolais AOC regulations.

It’s important to note that the term “Beaujolais Nouveau” itself is not a specific indication of quality or adherence to particular winemaking practices; rather, it signifies a style of wine that is young, fresh, and meant to be consumed shortly after production. As a result, the characteristics of Beaujolais Nouveau can vary from producer to producer within the general guidelines set by the AOC

Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité

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