Ruddering Sequence (1)

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Index Entry

Ruddering Sequence:

"Within the grand strategy of anticipatory problem solving

to be accomplished exclusively through design transformations

of human ecology's physical environment apparatus, the

design strategems range from powerful to subtle. For

instance, instead of attempting to push the bow of an ocean

liner from one side to the other in order to steer it (as we

do the front ends of automobiles, as well as of social trend

fronts) inasmuch as the great seas also try to push the bows

to one side or the other thus tending to throw the ship out

of control, the naval architect must design in such a way that

the ship's course will not tend to be diverted by heavy seas,

yet will be steerable. To do this he designs a ship's hull

with the hinge or pivot point of the ship occurring

forwardly under the step of the bow. This makes a long

lever arm aft and a very short lever arm forward of the

pivot, and the long lever overpowers the short one as in a

weathervane 'ship.' Thus the naval architect makes the

stern of the ship (rather than the bow) swing to one side or

the other of the course. The course tends to be held

steadily by the bow. The stern tries to follow the bow in

a straight course. The keel then makes the stern follow the"