VV(11): Gyrocompass

[Dave Monroe]

"For some reason the children of America conceived around this time a
simultaneous and psychopathic craving for simple gyroscopes .... when
along  came a group of school kids on tour to point out that these
toys worked on the same principle as a gyrocompass.  'As wha,' said
Chiclitz.  They explained gyrocompasses to him, also rate and free
gyros." (V., Ch. 8, Sec. iv, p. 227)

http://waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l&month=0209&msg=70536

http://waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l&month=0103&msg=54033

Cf. ...

http://waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l&month=0209&msg=70536

Meanwhile ...

xkcd: A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.

http://xkcd.com/332/