http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/infbrief/nsf04333/

The National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resources Statistics, reports here on statistics for a subset of individuals from the Current Population Survey (CPS), which is conducted by the Bureau of the Census for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The findings reported here show that "more than four million individuals with at least a high school education were employed in science and engineering (S&E) occupations in the United States as of April 2003." The page provide's statistics for the highest level of educational attainment within this group (high school diploma, 5 percent; associate's degree, 17 percent; , bachelor's degree, 48 percent; master's degree, 22 percent; doctorates, 7 percent; and professional degree, about 2 percent) and correlate those numbers (along with race/ethnicity and gender statistics) with occupational groups (i.e., computer and math sciences, physical sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and engineering.) Links are provided to more detailed information on the data as well as Excel files of the data. [VF]

http://www.rangs.co.uk/howaboomworks.htm

Have you ever wondered how the boomerang was invented? Well, according to this website, no one knows. However, Rangs Boomerangs (which makes boomerangs) gives a nice overview of what is known. For example, boomerangs have been used by the Australian Aborigines and have been found in other ancient cultures in Egypt, Stone Age Europe and the Indian subcontinent. A link under the History of the Boomerang offers a thesis that traces the boomerang back to "throwing wood" (approx. 5000 B.C.). The authors also explain how the boomerang works and offers tips for throwing a boomerang. The Boomerang Info section will alert you to boomerang demonstrations and workshops. Of course, the company also highlights its own boomerang products. [VF]

http://www.sciam.com/askexpert_question.cfm?chanID=sa005&articleID=00097BFE-B591
-111B-B02483414B7F4945&topic_id=5

This article from Scientific American discusses the ins and outs of computer hacking, answering the question "How do computer hackers 'get inside' a computer?" The author of the article, Julie J.C.H. Ryan, is an assistant professor at The George Washington University and co-author of a book on hacking. The article reviews some of the different approaches to hacking, from "low-technology" strategies like bribery to an attack that is "blasted out shotgun style." If nothing else, the metaphors are interesting and the article ends with a quick run-down of some things individuals can do to protect their computers against hackers. Unfortunately, the author concludes that it's impossible to eliminate all "the vulnerabilities of your system." [VF]

http://www.rta.nato.int/general.htm

Since the establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949, "NATO involvement in science and technology has sought to build cooperation and promote security and stability." This website offers an overview of the origins of NATO in science and technology and the Research and Technology Organization (RTO), which is "the central element of the NATO defense science and technology program." The article ends with some issues and recommendations as RTO gears up for "working with the new strategic command for transformation and the NATO Response Force, the integration of the new members, and building relations with Russia." Visitors can explore the other links on this website to learn more about the organization's research panels, modeling and simulation work, and various publications. [VF]

http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/macon.html

The Lucid Cafe is a resource on coffee as well as a library and gallery, with a Biographies Archive. One entry in the Archive is this website on the USS Macon. The article describes the structure of this blimp, which had a top speed of about 87 miles per hour and was nearly twice as large as the famous Graf Zeppelin. Photos show the interior of the blimp as well as the trapeze and harness used to release airplanes. The process of retrieving planes is described as "like a performing air stunt." [VF]

http://www.americanradiomuseum.org/home.htm

This "one-of-a-kind museum for North America" is based in Bellingham, Washington. The museum aims to be "the best at presenting the relationship between early investigations into the phenomenon of electricity and the subsequent development of radio." The website presents some examples of their exhibits, such as "The Dawn of the Electrical Age (1600-1820) What is electricity?" and "The Wireless Age (1900-1920) Development of the wireless telegraph and telephone." The really fun part of the website is the Workroom, where you can listen to archived sound clips, watch a video demonstrating how static electricity is generated using a Wimshurst Influence Machine, and turn the dials of an interactive 1922 Tuska Radio. Information about the museum's history, curators and giving program are also provided. [VF]