A Comment From Lee Wangstad Almost Brings Me To Tears
Image sequence from Lee Wangsted. “image of the Eshelmann Rocket from 1957. The image is taken from a 1957 Popular Mechanics. “A” is a direct scan taken from the magazine. In “B” I’ve loaded it into Photoshop and cleaned up some of the imperfections and then loaded it into a sharpness filter to make the boat stand out. When we get to “C” we see the final result of the AI doing its thing. “
I got up this morning, reay to shut, slam the door on this AI crap. The stories have been not all that great in generating new readers, but sure have been massive for comment fodder, which in a way is fun, and positive. This is where this sort of stuff can be discussed, rationally and yes emotionally. That part of it I love. But like Mary here. Well I will just let her do her thing.
All right, anyway, Lee’s comment, was in reaction to Briant, so you know its good. hey ever good story needs this sort of tension to make it interesting.
And you can go back and read Lee’s comment. BUT as it turns out, Lee, one of the people I respect the hell out of, uses it. TO see images in a clearer way. WOW, I do that. NOW, there is a slight issue with it all, because AI wasnt there, and each generation of it kinda subtly changes things. Which fits into Chad and Brian’s feelings. BUT, one could say that the first original image in a way distorted the actual experience of it. Walking around the boat, the model? Was the guy a douche driving it. It is a rabbit hole. Sorry Rabbit. Anyway. The images above illustrate Lee’s reason. And below here, Where I belong is how a more artistic promt led to, and then I made a short motion image of it, and well then things just get silly. Woody Boater is in the latter area. It expailns the entire discussion in a series of images and how we can see them an use them. Thanks Lee for helping….AGAIN!
I took Lees last image and then did a little more magic prompt an got this. Was the boat that textured? Not the original image at the top of the story, did it have print half tone in it. Which one is right? The babe is better looking in the original BTW.
You can change the speed of the image, which adds to the real feel of the ride See the 3 dots in the lower right of the film? click there and hit playback speed, scroll down and do 2X, she doesnt look as happy now! HA
Turns out Zip was hiding in the front cockpit with Darla there. We need to really have an HR dept here.
For the record, I bet it was a ton louder, and her screaming to stop might have kinda made the whole story a little different. But you get what I am saying here. Okay I took it a step further. NOTE, this is because of real people that we even have this information, AND Lee’s ability to research this. I asked AI for any more info on the Eshelman rocket and here is what it said. And yes it corrected my typo! Everyone and everything is a critic!
“I found some history and a promising research lead, but no verified construction plans yet. The name is generally spelled Eshelman, with one “n.”
The Rocket was associated with the Cheston L. Eshelman Company of Baltimore, which also produced aircraft, miniature cars and garden equipment. Historical accounts describe the Rocket Boat as built using surplus military aircraft fuel tanks—an explanation for that extraordinary shape. However, I haven’t located an original factory document confirming the tank type, material or construction details. en.wikipedia.org
A few useful discoveries:
– A Rocket video and restoration connection. On FiberGlassics, filmmaker “VideoBob” explicitly discusses producing an Eshelman Rocket video with Kevin, known there as “KevFin,” in connection with Kevin’s restoration projects. This is the strongest firsthand lead I found for tracking down a boat, measurements or surviving paperwork. Read the discussion. FiberGlassics® Forums
– Period advertising survives. I located an ended listing described as an original 1958 Eshelman Rocket Boats advertisement. Its title says “Fibre-Glass,” so I would verify the actual advertisement before assuming it describes the same metal-looking boat in your photograph. View the listing. eBay
– Another historical image source. A 2005 CreativePro article reproduces vintage boat imagery and identifies Eshelman’s Baltimore company as briefly making rocket boats. See the article. creativepro.com
What remains unconfirmed: the specific 1957 date, dimensions, production numbers, performance, and whether plans were ever offered to home builders. I wouldn’t put those details into a WoodyBoater story as established facts yet.
My next lead would be the KevFin/VideoBob connection through FiberGlassics—it offers a better chance of finding original information than the repeated summaries circulating online.”
SO! See, we all now know about this little rocket boat, that because of Lee, and yes Briant, and the fun of here. And to think this morning, all I was worried about was what to write about. Thanks to all for making this a fun journey.
I’m so lost now! Wow. Where am I! Yesterday was interesting to watch unfold!
I love Muskoka wood boats, love talking wood, boats, mahogany and engines; Look at Brackley boats and the Flying Lady boat with the 302 Scripps with the down draft carbs; that boat just left the shop and she is a great story; I bet if you reached out to Paul he would love to give you some content;
Gorgeous. I so want to get to a Muskoka boat show to see these beauties.
I’m like Dan – lost!
And about a week late on the last gasps but the ACBS – Chesapeake Bay Chapter had several boats at the Sultana Downrigging Festival in Chestertown, MD. Lots of wood there! BIG wood boats!
As a proud owner of the least expensive, smallest Gar Wood ever made, I felt compelled to share yesterday’s AI film about Gar and Chris with my immediate family. They know a little bit about the history of Gar Wood, but not much. My daughter (who’s in her 30’s and works in advertising) immediately replied and said “don’t send me AI films, Dad, just tell me the story.” Humbled.
As a semi-retired ad guy myself I understand the need to explore every aspect of AI. At my last job running the in-house agency at a major retailer I encouraged AI use for things like storyboards, which saved so much time. But we stopped short of using it for anything consumer facing. I’m sure that will change with a new leader.
AI is going to impact every aspect of our lives. But like that can of starter fluid I use after my little Ensign has sat for a couple of weeks, it needs to used with great care.
So true Rabbit. Same here. Poking the bear is fun though. AI crap and all
Just catching up here after a few days away.
Thanks Lee and Matt for bringing perspective to our current social situation. I am personally sick and tired of hearing how awful life is for our kids. The homes that they “can’t afford” are half again to twice the size of the house I grew up in. When I was 7 our own National Guard shot and killed students at Kent State. I don’t see anything in todays US society that even compares to the horrors of such an act.
It seems to me that most the kids who “can’t afford” the lifestyle that they want are able to spend gobs of money on tattoos and coffee (every day) from the local brewer of their choice. I grew up driving used cars and today at 64 the only new car that I have ever owned was for my business, not my own personal vehicle. Don’t get me started on how we have taught our youth that they “deserve” to have what they think they want NOW and how we have NOT taught them the value of delayed gratification.
One of the best quotes I have heard recently is from the comedian Jimmy Carr: “The life that you want is just on the other side of the work you are avoiding”.
As far as AI goes: Yes, it can be used for bad things, just like anything else in this world. It can also be used for good. What I don’t understand is why AI chose to change the style of the young ladies blouse in photo #3?
This sh-p is interesting more than inspiring I need to Go Boating! John in VA
Its intersting the stigma with it. I propose this new logo on all AI content. And yes ironically had AI make it! If you get it you get it, if not you still get it
Poor Poppy, now wears the scarlet AI, she looks ashamed now. So sad, so very very sad.
Toye apparently needs to learn the difference between hope, expectation and entitlement. There seems to be some conflation there. No one is entitled to anything – the American dream or otherwise. If you can’t afford a house in Portland, NYC or LA and you want a house, make a choice and go somewhere where you can afford a house. It was people migrating to different places that opened up the country after all, and did they whine, or did they make decisions that supported their life ambitions and objectives? They created their futures, good or bad and did not expect or wait for someone else to do it for them. It gets tiring listening to the winsome, halcyon fabrications of those that somehow believe in a carefree and stress less past – which did not ever exist.
Matt – Simple question: why do you need to use AI created content for WB? How does it help or enhance the product? it is not like WB operates in a business environment where you need to stay ahead of the competition.
Hi Paul:
Great response and I agree whole heartedly.
Matt goes into this in his next comment, but I will give you my interpretation.
Matt needs to learn about AI for his business in advertising to see where and when he wants to use it. WB is just a platform for Matt to learn and experiment with what he can and can’t do.
If he makes a mistake here he is not going to lose thousands of dollars of critical clients (maybe a reader or two).
WB is a great way for Matt to figure this out, just like how he started with himself and quickly swapped over to Mr. B and Poppy doing the talking / interviews.
No Matt does not need AI for WoodyBoater, but he does need to figure out where it belongs in his professional life and this is a GREAT way for him to learn those skills.
The Bots are coming!
Great question, I dont, And I do. I have used WoodyBoater as a learning tool for me, myself and I. I want to learn and understand stuff, always have. And then I choose where to use it, Clearly this isnt the market for it, But with enough picking at the scab. Maybe? I know this much, The same thing over and over and over is deadly
I graduated from high school in 1968. Let’s see, the Viet Nam war was in full swing, Martin Luther King and RFK were both assassinated, rioting in the streets, Olympic protests with black gloved podium stars, and much more. These were crazy times and we survived. Everybody take a deep breath.
Good comments this morning! Lee is a true gentleman and scholar.
I’ll give the same credit to Matt, he’s helping me understand the power of AI, I enjoy learning new things.
Today I am invited to the dedication of the new wing of the Astoria Maritime Museum, where Matt visited recently. Besides the 44 foot motor life boat that I was on while in the Coast Guard at Cape Disappointment, the new wing has the
52314, one of the 52 footers built in the 60s that were just recently retired. Both of these boats confirm I am getting old, when the boats you served on are in the Museum
Hey Ron, I was very bummed I missed that secion.
Tell AI that the womens boobs should be bouncing, at least a little, when they go over waves.
Another couple of images on the Eshelman Rocket, from 1957 and 1958. I have a copy of that 1958 brochure in my archives. Both of these cleaned up pretty well. I guess that the internet still can’t compete with what all of us have in our files. And I have to apologize to Briant. I don’t feel sorry for you. I feel for the people that have to deal with you on a daily basis. It takes a lot of energy to combat this negativeness, especially in the workplace where teamwork is critical to achieving your goal. And among the young who are trying (most of them) to find themselves in an ever-changing society. Ever read “Future Shock” by Alvin Toffler along with his wife, Heidi?