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Tom's Guide
3 hours ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
4th of July sales start now — 41 deals I recommend as deals editor
As deals editor-in-chief at Tom's Guide, late June is one of the busiest times of the year for me. With Independence Day less than a week out, practically every retailer has launched its 4th of July sales. Meanwhile, there are multiple early Prime Day deals to choose from as well. All this translates to a bargain hunter's dream come true as there are sales everywhere you turn. One of my favorite 4th of July sales right now comes from Amazon. In the lead up to the holiday (and to Prime Day), Amazon is taking up to 85% off sitewide. Yes, there's some junky stuff in there, but I love that Apple's M4 Macs are on sale from $849. Likewise, Amazon Haul has back-to-school deals from $3. Naturally, I plan to do a lot of shopping myself in the next few days from replacing my existing iPhone/Apple Watch charger to picking up some new workout apparel. Below you'll find all of my favorite deals happening this weekend. If you're not familiar, Amazon Haul is a new storefront featuring inexpensive deals on fashion, home, lifestyle, and more. Right now they have a massive back to college sale with deep discounts on brands like Adidas, Under Armour, Timberland, and more. As part of their latest sale, you can get name-brand apparel from $3. Lego sale: deals from $8 @ AmazonThe best Lego deals can usually be found in November and December, but Amazon is slashing the price of select sets. You can get everything from Disney to Star Wars as well as generic sets. The Blink Outdoor is a fully wireless home security camera that records video in 1080p, lets you store video locally (or in the cloud) and has a two-year battery life. The Editor's Choice camera holds a spot in our list of the best home security cameras. If you're the kind of runner who always cuts that annoying liner out of your shorts, look no further. These linerless shorts from Lululemon are designed for running and training, in a lightweight fabric that moves with you. The 7-inch leg length and classic fit is comfortable on the move, and there's a cord waistband, allowing you to pull the shorts tight against your stomach to minimize movement. They're one of my favorite running shorts. Patio and garden event: up to 50% off @ WalmartWalmart has launched a major savings event to help you refresh your garden. If you're looking to upgrade your garden, deck or patio for less, consider Walmart's outdoor living section your one-stop shop. The retail giant is currently offering unbeatable discounts of up to 50% on stylish and functional outdoor items, including string lights, fire pits, lounge chairs, garden beds and more. Shark and Ninja appliances: up to 40% off @ WalmartWalmart is offering up to 40% off select Shark and Ninja appliances. The sale includes air fryers, robot vacs, blow dryers, blenders and more. Prices start as low as $49 for Shark devices or $29 for Ninja appliances. LG C4 4K OLED TV: deals from $699 @ AmazonThe C4 is LG's flagship OLED TV. It's powered by LG's A9 processor and features a 120Hz panel, Dolby Vision/ HDR10/HLG support, built-in Amazon Alexa, four HDMI 2.1 ports and Apple AirPlay 2 support. It's also one of the few OLED TVs that can natively accept a 144Hz input from a PC. In our LG C4 OLED TV review, we said the content looked colorful and dazzlingly bright on the new C4 series.42" for $69948" for $89955" for $1,296 65" for $1,29677" for $1,89683" for $2,996 Gymshark: up to 50% off everything @ GymsharkThis is the biggest Gymshark sale I've ever seen. The popular brand is taking up to 50% off everything. Shorts, gym bags, sports bras, hoodies, and more are all on sale with prices from $4. This is a sale we probably won't see again till Black Friday. Carhartt sale: deals from $9 @ AmazonIf you're looking to upgrade your wardrobe, Carhartt has tons of rugged and stylish pieces you'll want to rock all season long. With deals starting at just $9, this is a sale you don't want to miss. Lululemon "We Made Too Much": top picks from $9 @ LululemonLululemon has restocked its "We Made Too Much" section with new running shorts, leggings, tank tops, and more. Prices may vary depending on color selection, but they generally start from $9. Timberland sale: deals from $9 @ AmazonAmazon is hosting a huge Timberland sale with up to 60% off. Timberland has tons of rugged and fashionable footwear and apparel to boost your style. When it's too hot for leggings, opt for these Adidas Techfit Training Shorts. These compression short leggings fit snugly for extra support, while wicking sweat off your body to keep you comfortable and dry. This Adidas training tee is a must have. Its slim fit and simple style make it easy to pair with a variety of workout gear, and it's made with Climacool that wicks sweat off your body to keep you feeling fresh. The 3-stripes down the side are a nice touch, too. Havaianas: up to 60% off @ HavaianasHavaianas is a Brazilian brand known for its colorful and summer-infused flip-flops. Right now, the brand is taking up to 60% off select flip-flops and sunglasses for men and women. After discount, prices start from $7. I've been using my pair at the beach for the past five years and find they're durable and rugged. Hitting the trail? These Adidas shoes will help you do so in comfort and style. Their mesh upper means your feet will stay cool and they're comfortable underfoot thanks to their lightweight cushioning. Our Adidas Ultraboost 5 review called these "a standout option for those who want a good-looking shoe for general use as well as running." We loved their stylish design, grippy soles and smooth-feeling, comfortable foam stack. Another fantastic option is the Fuse 2.0. Although not the latest in the range, this shoe is super roomy and lightweight, and the shoe bends to your foot far more than, say, the R.A.D range, which is thick and plush. I feel like I'm free when I wear these, and they offer so much stability for lifts that I feel like I could be barefoot. At this price, what a steal, seriously. Price varies per model and size. The Metcon range is a top choice amongst CrossFitters, and for good reason. If you enjoy weightlifting and cross training in general, the Metcon range has you covered. In fact, Nike's Metcon sale currently has lots to offer. I personally love the stability of this shoe, which is perfect for barbell work and wall balls. Then, there's the extended rope guard for even more grip during climbs. Price varies per model and size. The Ghost 16 is a cushioned running shoe that's great for all levels of runner, but particularly good for beginners because of the high level of comfort it offers. The Ghost 17 recently launched but having tested both the Ghost 16 and 17, I'd say grabbing the older shoe for $40 less in the sales is the smart move, because the new shoe isn't a major update. Honestly, I am obsessed with these sneakers. Even though R.A.D One V2 is my all-time favorite gym shoe (sorry, currently not on sale), this shoe is creeping up the ranks to become my favorite. Way more versatile than its predecessor, the 4, this shoe handles light running, weightlifting and HIIT, and it has transformed my snatching ability with superb stability. You can also save more by grabbing the Reebok Nano X4 for just $74 at Amazon. Price varies per model and size. The 2025 iPad features a larger 11-inch (2360 x 1640) screen, A16 CPU, 12MP rear/front cameras, USB-C connectivity, and Magic Keyboard Folio ($249) support. The base model features 128GB of storage, which double the capacity of its predecessor. It's available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB capacities. This HP Envy x360 2-in-1 laptop features a 15.6-inch 1080p touch display, Intel Core Ultra7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. Since it's a 2-in-1 device, you can use this device as a laptop or tablet. Right now it's $400 off, which is a great deal. For under $1,000, you can pick up this solid all-around gaming laptop from Gigabyte. Not only does Nvidia's entry level 40-series graphics card ensure this system supports ray tracing, the presence of an Intel Core i7- 13620H CPU with 16GB of DDR5 RAM should ensure the G6 will run many titles at a smooth 60 frames per second or above at the laptop's native screen resolution of 1920 x 1200. In this impressively thin, light and premium-feeling notebook, you'll find a drop dead gorgeous OLED display, Core Ultra 9-285H chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. We reviewed the smaller 15-inch model and in our Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ PC review, we said the Editor's Choice laptop is a great machine that puts Microsoft on a new path to truly take on the mighty MacBook. Save big on this Snapdragon X Elite-powered laptop, which packs improved battery efficiency and top-tier AI processing. In addition to its X1E-80-100 CPU, this XPS 13 configuration is also equipped with 16GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD storage and a 13.4-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) 120Hz display. In our Dell XPS 13 2024 review, we praised this laptop's amazing 19+ hours of battery life. The best Saatva mattress sale is back for the 4th of July with $400 off all orders over $1,000 when you follow our links. That means you can get a queen Saatva Classic for $1,699 (was $2,099), one of the cheapest prices we've seen this year (the cheapest was $1,695). Our team has been consistently impressed with Saatva mattresses and the flagship Classic has earned full marks. We spent over seven months testing it for our Saatva Classic Mattress review, awarding this luxury hybrid innerspring mattress five stars for support, temperature regulation and motion isolation. And with three firmness levels and two heights available, it's a good pick for almost any sleep style. Plus, Saatva offers the best benefits on the market, with a full year's trial, lifetime warranty and free white glove delivery. Use coupon code "TOMS27" to save 27% sitewide in the 4th of July Helix mattress sale. Our top pick is the Helix Midnight Luxe which we consider it a top mattress for side sleepers. Our Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review found it nailed the balance of cushioning and support, with plush comfort at the hips and shoulders. If you aren't a side sleeper, skip the Midnight Luxe and consider the responsive support of the Dusk Luxe instead (we described it as "dreamy" for back and stomach sleepers in our Helix Dusk Luxe mattress review.) Both are 27% off with code "TOMS27" with a queen priced $1,751.03 (was $2,398.66.) All Helix mattresses come with a 100-night trial and a limited lifetime warranty. Purple mattresses use the a malleable GelFlex Grid to create adaptive and unique pressure relief — in our Purple Original Mattress review we described it as delivering a "floating" sensation as you sleep. In the current Purple sale you can save up to $400 on the Purple Original, reducing a queen to just $999. Purple sales can be unpredictable so we recommend you take advantage of this discount while it's still live. All Purple mattresses come with a 100-night trial and 10-year warranty. The Nectar Premier Hybrid is a 13-inch tall mattress that uses cooling fibers and open coils to create a breathable feel. Like many hybrid mattresses, the Premier Hybrid has a supportive coil base while those plush Nectar foams provide superior pressure relief. We haven't tested this current model, but you can learn about the previous iteration with our Nectar Premier Hybrid mattress review. It's well priced for a hybrid, with a queen now $1,099 (was $2,396.) And, of course, you can currently claim your bedding bundle for free. There are plenty of Casper deals to catch your eye, but we're most interested in this Casper Cloud One deal. It uses foam "pillars" to create a responsive, plush feel. Only queen sizes are available, but it's selling at an all-time price low of just $999. The Roku Plus Series is an outstanding value. In our Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TV review, we said it offers a great smart interface, HDR color, and excellent sound at an affordable price. It features a QLED screen along with full array local dimming. You also get Dolby Vision/HDR 10 Plus/HLG support, Apple HomeKit/Alexa/Google Assistant support, and four HDMI ports. Gamers take note that while it's reliable for casual play, you only get a 60Hz screen and no HDMI 2.1 support. Hisense is setting a new bar for value with its U6QF Mini-LED TV, which drops Google TV in favor of Fire TV. You still get an awesome suite of features built on a 144Hz refresh rate with HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos support. As one of the cheapest options to get for gaming, the U6QF is a powerful display for PC gamers leveraging tons of brightness. The B4 is LG's entry-level OLED TV. This TV supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and has improved picture quality thanks to LG's A8 processor. For gamers, it features four HDMI 2.1 ports, a 120Hz refresh rate, a brightness booster, and Game Optimizer Mode. In our LG B4 OLED review, we called the Editor's Choice TV the value OLED TV of the year. The 48-inch model is a Best Buy exclusive. You couldn't ask for a better discount on one of the hottest displays. In our Samsung S85D OLED TV review, we said the Editor's Choice TV is a serious value offering a 120Hz refresh rate on a WOLED panel. An ATSC 3.0 tuner also means you get access to NextGenTV and 4K broadcasts, plus Tizen OS is also home to a slew of game streaming apps, making the S85D a true all-arounder when it comes to features. And if its onboard access to content isn't enough, a total of four HDMI 2.1 ports is also ideal for your range of connected check: sold out @ Best Buy Panasonic TVs are making a comeback in the US Built around Panasonic's HCX Pro AI Processor MKII, its new OLED TV offers support for HDR10/HDR10+/Dolby Vision/HLG and Dolby Atmos audio. On the gaming front, you get a 120Hz panel with VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium, and NVIDIA G-Sync support. It comes in 55- and 65-inch size options. If you want to get your Prime Day TV-shopping done early, the TCL QM7K is a perfect candidate. Not only are you getting a fantastic and versatile 65-inch TV, you're securing it at its lowest price ever. (If 65 inches is too big for your living room, consider the 55-inch version of the QM7K for $748. That's also the lowest price yet for the 55-inch model.) Part of LG's 2025 TV lineup, the LG C5 OLED is here as the value pick of the year. Offering a slew of features, like a range of HDR certifications and gaming specs for the PS5 Pro crowd, the C5 proves a major improvement over its predecessor. We called it "nearly flawless" and gave it a 5-star rating in our LG C5 OLED TV review. If you like your coffee hot as much as you like it iced, but can't wait for grounds to steep overnight (or doesn't divulge in half a pot of caffeine every day), then this handy countertop appliance is perfect for you — even more so when it's $10 less than normal. Two-thousand-plus reviewers rave about the simple effectiveness (it even brews tea!) of this machine and its sleek, compact appearance. The Instant Vortex Plus features 6-in-1 functionality, allowing you to air fry, broil, bake, roast, dehydrate and reheat. Thanks to its 6 quart XL basket, it'll easily cook up large side dishes to help feed a family. At this price, it's a great time to pick up the Vortex Plus. The 511i Max suits up to 926 sq ft room and comes with 5 cleaning modes (3 fan speeds, auto and night mode). There's only two buttons to control everything, keeping things simple, but it also connects to the Blueair app so you can schedule its use and monitor the quality of your air remotely. The premium Shark Stratos Cordless brings strong suction and clever features like odor neutralization. The dual brushroll system handles both carpet and hard floors effectively, while the LED headlights help spot hidden dust. Save big right now.
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
REVIEW: Lego's Speed Champions F1, an adrenaline build
Speed Champions basically puts racing car lovers in the driver's seat. With Formula One fever revving up in South Africa, with a grand prix expected possibly in 2027, the country is lapping up racing merchandise, including Lego's Speed Champions F1 cars. As a massive F1 fan, I was excited to hear of the partnership between F1 and Lego when it was unveiled in November 2024. F1 If you love to build, the Lego Speed Champions F1 cars will heighten your F1 fever and tenacity to be a kid again as excitement builds in South Africa for lineup of Red Bulls Max Verstappen, Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and McLaren's Lando Norris on the starting grid. With lots of parts, techniques and a large array of drivers and sponsors, Lego has gone all out with this review starting with a…..NEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOWWWWWWW! The Lego Speed Champions feature F1 cars currently racing on the Formula One circuit and with a F1 Grand Prix possibly being held in South Africa in 2027, these racers are getting a lot of attention., Speed Champions basically puts racing car lovers in the driver's seat with realistic vehicle models from familiar racing competitors. ALSO READ: Lego Formula One cars at Miami Grand Prix ignite F1 fever in SA Build I found the cars easy to build and not particularly challenging. If you work really fast, you can build the F1 car of your choice in 30 to 60 minutes. Each set consists of six bags in total, with the build completed in three separate sections. In addition, each set comes with a plethora of stickers which replicate the true F1 car as they are all covered in sponsors to help promote the team. Small While speed is the essence of F1 cars, no pun is intended when I say that the sets were a quick build and somewhat slightly faded the brain teaser of where the next part goes. All 10 current F1 team constructors are represented. Individually, each car is not a big build. The Ferrari, for example, is just 275 pieces, while the Mercedes is 267. The cars themselves are also quite small, coming in at 20cm in length and only 8cm wide. When you compare these measures to their Lego Technic counterparts, such as the McLaren Technic set, they are considerably smaller, which is a bit disappointing. However, this is particularly beneficial for storage reasons, as they take up less space on the shelf, allowing for more room for Lego. Availability and pricing Although I have only experienced three of the 10 builds, these sets are a must for every F1 fan, albeit some very minor issues including under-detailed racing suit and the price is a bit high, but the high level of detail goes some way to justify the asking price. Lego's Speed Champions F1 cars include Ferrari, Mercedes, Alpine, Williams, Haas, McLaren, Aston Martin, Red Bull, Sauber and Visa Cash RB. They retail for R499 each. ALSO READ: WATCH: Hot Wheels unveils die-cast F1 car for Brad Pitt's F1 movie
Buzz Feed
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
46 Summer Boredom Busters For Kids Not At Camp
A fan-favorite Step2 water table to pop onto your back patio or front porch, fill with water, and send your little ones out to have the time of their lives playing with spinners, a waterfall, and buckets galore. A splash pad you'll thank your lucky stars for when it's hotter than the sun itself outside and your kids are looking for a way to have fun and cool down. A 5-pound bucket of Crayola Air Dry Clay that'll let your tyke moonlight as a pottery-making artiste for a bit — for less than 15 bucks, you'll get a whooooole lot of summer entertainment. I hope you have room on your shelves to display all of their work! A tiny bakeshop party kit complete with miniature tools, a faux oven (that you actually "bake" the creation in via microwave), six cake mixes, sprinkles, and frosting packets to encourage your wanna-be baker to create the cutest little desserts — no stove or electric mixer required! A Magna-Tiles set that'll surely be a big hit with any budding architect. They can use it to build all kinds of cool 3D structures, then knock 'em down and start again the next day. A classic bin of 790 Lego bricks your little genius can dive into and create anything that comes to mind. A horse? Sure! Car? Why not! A full recreation of Love Island's Casa Amor? Now *that* would be something. Or some sensory "Jelly Blox" that'll keep the younger tykes in your home busy long enough for you to put together an iced coffee and get the summer day started. The kit comes with 20 different blocks they'll love squishing, stacking, and playing with daily. Scavenger hunt cards for the days when it is simply too hot to take your tykes outdoors — it'll send them on a "secret mission" to find "treasure" around the house. (And keep them out of your hair!) A Melissa and Doug On the Go Water Wow! Reusable Water-Reveal Activity Pad you'll want to tell all of your parenting friends about. Fill the water pen, set it up on an outdoor surface, and let your kiddo go to town coloring (and making a wet mess, if they so choose). When the pages dry, they can do it all over again! Waterproof playing cards so your kids can get a fierce game of Go Fish going without worrying if their already-wet-from-the-pool hair drips onto the cards. Or a waterproof version of the beloved Taco, Cat, Goat Cheese, Pizza game — it's a card game you can play with your family for guaranteed giggles and a way to catch your breath from traipsing around in the ocean. A watermelon pool ball made of PVC material that'll hold up stronger than your willpower when your kiddo makes their eyes super big and very sweetly asks for an ice cream cone. Be warned: this isn't just any beach ball! It can be dribbled underwater (I KNOOOOW!) can be inflated in seconds with a water hose using an included needle-sized disaster, and weighs over 14 lbs when it's full! Crab-shaped mesh bags and sifters tykes can use to gather all the exciting treasures they find while strolling along the beach or, honestly, even in their own backyard! Reusable water balloons made of eco-friendly material — sooooo easy to fill so you'll spend less time prepping and more time indulging in an intense water balloon battle alongside your kiddos. Or a hilarious poop-shaped version your kids won't be able to stop giggling about all summer long. All they'll need to do is fill it with water and let the magnetic seal do the rest. A set of sand castle molds that'll solidify your "cool parent" status when you break 'em out at the beach and help your kiddos craft a structure worthy of a prince or princess. A too-cute set of silicone beach toys in, dare I say, rather aesthetically pleasing colors you'll be proud to hand off to your kids for a day of fun in the sun. And collapsible buckets you'll love because they won't take up precious cargo space in your trunk — which you and I both know is packed to the brim when you bring your kids anywhere, let alone the beach. A massive 160-piece pack of sidewalk chalk they'll be *so* excited over they might just forget to pester you about extra screen time — encourage them to create all kinds of art at the playground or leave funny pictures for passersby. A hook and ring game that'll take up minimal space — if you don't have a huge area to work with you'll still be able to set up some fun for your kids. A sea shell art and crafts kit featuring glow-in-the-dark paint for the tiny Picasso in your home that would love nothing more than to create their own beachy masterpiece. A rainbow kite you and your family can break out and live your best Mary Poppins life (as long as there's enough of a breeze). Alexa, play "Let's Go Fly a Kite." A splurge-worthy balance bike that'll have your restless mini-me boppin' out the front door and speeding down the block the minute you say, "OK, FINE!" It'll teach your kiddo to learn how to ride pedal-free (so impressive). An incredibly useful sandbox with a lid that opens up to double as benches for kiddos to sit on while they play. The lid will ensure you can keep it up and running throughout the fall without leaves and other outdoor debris sneaking in. Or a smaller (but equally fun) Step2 sandbox that won't take up as much space in your backyard but will have more than enough room for your minis to play in all afternoon. It comes with a lid to keep the sand dry when not in use (and prevent little critters from hanging out in it overnight). Banzai Bump N' Bounce Body Bumpers you can count on to elicit full blown belly laughs — from both kids and adults. How could you not? You're gonna want to have your phone at the ready for this one. A geode-breaking activity from National Geographic that'll give you and your kids an excuse to pick up a hammer and smash rocks in half. The best part? The cracked-open rocks will reveal stunning crystal centers you can learn about together. A construction-themed folding play set complete with kinetic sand, a dump truck, a working crane, a wrecking ball, and bucket attachments to keep kiddos entertained for houuuuurs — it even includes a carrying kit to contain the mess to one space (ideally). A saucer swing that'll quickly become your kid's favorite place to hang (literally). It holds up to 700 pounds (WHOA!) so feel free to let many tykes pile on for some fun! Or a platform swing that'll help you make the most out of that suuuper old tree in your yard while also giving your child a place to burn off some energy without leaving the confines of your yard. A lawn mower your mini-me will love because it'll release bubbles as they push it and they'll get to pretend they're just like whichever lucky parent cuts the lawn every weekend. A giant bubble kit, so enchanting, even the most angsty of kids won't be able to resist giving them a go. It even comes with two packets of biodegradable bubble solution and a tips and tricks booklet to help you make the best (and biggest!) bubbles ever. And a bubble machine that'll have your toddler scoffing at the old handheld bubble wands they're used to seeing — this one will take playtime to the next level without filling the house with extra noise. A Step2 Up & Down Roller Coaster your little one will want to ride again and again (and agaaaaaain! Toddlers, man). The ramp and car also fit into the base for easy storage. A classic Little Tikes slide you may have had when *you* were a kid — it's extremely easy to set up and will provide your mini-me with hours of fun. (Just wait until they discover they can climb back up the slide all on their own). A 2-in-1 checkers and tic-tac-toe game with checkers on one side and tic-tac-toe on the other, a must-have for any family who would rather exercise their brain muscles. A ring toss set to help all the neighborhood kiddos work on their hand-eye coordinator and encourage some ~friendly~ competition. Flickin' Chicken — a game that will have your family cackling from the first time you play. Players are encouraged to make up their own rules so you'll have a different experience every time. Boredom? I don't know her. Spikeball, an easy-to-transport game that is kinda like volleyball and will have your kids asking you to bring it to every outdoor adventure. A miniature golf set you can use to create a course right in your backyard — no need to spend a bunch of money taking the entire family out for mini golf. You and your kids can get crafty and set up all kinds of challenging obstacles to make it different each time you play. A bug catching kit for curious kiddos who would love nothing more than to get a closer look at some creepy crawlers then set 'em free. A classic Little Tikes basketball set — you'll finally be able to show off your *~skillz~* to your kids while teaching them how to shoot some baskets. This addition to your yard will surely be a slam dunk. 😉 An adjustable tee ball set so your little slugger can practice their swing whenever the mood *strikes* (hehe) — no need to schlep to a batting cage! An incredible Step2 canopy play patio complete with a faux grill, a sand table, a water table, and a snack station — it'll make your tyke feel like they're vacationing at an all-inclusive resort whenever they step inside. (Not that they even know what that means, but you do!) Or a kids' BBQ set that'll match the one you cook burgers and hot dogs on regularly during the summer — now they can play alongside you instead of asking, "Is dinner ready yet? Is it ready yet?" It has realistic sounds, lights, and lets out steam like an actual grill! And a bounce house/double waterslide combo, your kids will take one look at and wonder if their wildest dreams have actually come true. They can jump until their little legs get tired, soak each other with water guns, shoot baskets, coast down dual water slides, then take a rest in the pool area.
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Science
- BBC News
Students build Lego model of Jodrell Bank telescope
A student who built a Lego version of the landmark Lovell telescope at Jodrell Bank with 30,500 bricks said it was the "most challenging build I've ever done but also the most fun".The observatory, constructed in the Cheshire countryside after World War Two, tracked US and Russian craft during the space race and was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2019. Physics student James Ruxton and six other students at the University of Manchester began building the model in April to mark the observatory's 80th said he has been a "big fan" of Lego all his life, "so recreating something as iconic as the Lovell is like taking that to the next level!". Mr Ruxton spent six months designing the 30kg model with computer software, and even designed some Lego pieces specifically with a 3D model dish itself weighs 12.5kg and had to be reinforced with a steel pole like the actual structure will be displayed at the Schuster building, which accommodates the university's physics department near Brunswick Street. Professor Chris Parkes, the university's head of physics, said the model was a "celebration of Manchester's history of discovery".He said: "Jodrell Bank has always been a symbol of bold innovation - pushing the boundaries of science and engineering from its earliest days."What the students have created with this Lego build is a perfect reflection of that spirit." Scientific research began at Jodrell Bank Observatory in 1945 when the physicist Sir Bernard Lovell came to the University of site pioneered the then new science of radio astronomy, which used radio waves instead of visible light to understand the universe. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Feed The Inner Child: Lego Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie
Read the full story on Backfire News Beloved toy brand Lego has made Technic sets of many iconic cars, and now it's come out with one for the Aston Martin Valkyrie. The automaker and toy company worked together to transfer the bold, revolutionary design and engineering of the hypercar into a combination of plastic result is something we're sure will fascinate both young and older gearheads, especially those who are big fans of Aston Martin. Thanks to its unique appearance, many have been enthralled with the hypercar, so it's not a huge shock that a Lego version has been created. Anyone lucky enough to snag this Lego Technic set will get to put together more than 700 pieces, many of them in Podium Green, just like the real Valkyries often wear. It's the kind of toy you can display prominently in your home or office. Since this is a Technic building set, this Lego creation is more functional than you might expect. Not only do the gullwing doors open fully, the steering can be controlled via a lever mounted to the top of the toy hypercar. Opening up the shroud over the V12 engine reveals the pistons move and the differential also spins. That alone makes this an educational experience for parents or grandparents to build and play with this Lego set along with little ones. After all, teaching kids about cars is a higher form of love. It's possible this Lego set might make some kids huge fans of the Valkyrie and Aston Martin in general. Created using Formula One technology, the Valkyrie not only is a consumer model used on public roads, it's also a competitive racecar. Aston Martin uses it for endurance racing in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship. The Valkyrie also competed in this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. Image via Aston Martin
