Dynamo

A dynamo is an electrical generator that produces direct current with the use of a commutator. Dynamos were the first electrical generators capable of delivering power for industry, and the foundation upon which many other later electric-power conversion devices were based, including the electric motor, the alternating-current alternator, and the rotary converter. Today, the simpler alternator dominates large scale power generation, for efficiency, reliability and cost reasons. A dynamo has the disadvantages of a mechanical commutator. Also, converting alternating to direct current using power rectification devices (vacuum tube or more recently solid state) is effective and usually economical.

Etymology

The word dynamo (from the Greek word dynamis, meaning power) was originally another name for an electrical generator, and still has some regional usage as a replacement for the word generator. After the invention of the alternator and that alternating current can be used as a power supply, the word dynamo became associated exclusively with the commutated direct current electric generator, while an AC electrical generator using either slip rings or rotor magnets would become known as an alternator.

Dynamo: Magician Impossible

Dynamo: Magician Impossible is a fly on the wall documentary series which follows the life of English magician-illusionist Steven Frayne, better known as Dynamo. The show is produced by Phil McIntyre Productions and Inner Circle Films for UKTV channel Watch and Universal Networks International. In 2012, the show was shortlisted at the 17th National Television Awards for Best Entertainment Programme but lost to Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow.

The four-episode first series aired from 7 July 2011 until 28 July 2011, with a fifth episode on 28 December 2011. On 1 February 2012, Watch renewed Dynamo: Magician Impossible for a second and third series. The second series premiered on 5 July 2012 and lasted another four episodes, ending on 26 July 2012. The third series aired on 11 July 2013 and concluded on 1 August 2013. On 19 December 2013, it was confirmed that three episodes from the show's first series would air on BBC One in 2014. Repeats are also shown regularly on Dave. On 12 August 2014 it was announced that the fourth and final series of the show would begin airing in the UK on 4 September.

World of Warships

World of Warships is a naval action-themed massively multiplayer online game produced by international game developer and publisher Wargaming headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. The game features aspects similar to World of Tanks and World of Warplanes, having several types of military ships fulfilling different roles within teamed player versus player battles. It was released for Microsoft Windows on September 17, 2015.

Gameplay

The gameplay is team-based. There are four different classes of vessels, namely destroyers, cruisers, battleships, and aircraft carriers; these vessels span across ten tiers within the technology trees of several nations, including the United States Navy, the Imperial Japanese Navy, Kriegsmarine, Royal Navy, Soviet Navy, the Polish Navy, the Republic of China Navy, and the People's Liberation Army Navy. It is anticipated that the Marine nationale and the Regia Marina may also be featured at a later date. Players earn experience points and in-game currency by participating in battles, for the purpose of purchasing vessel upgrades and higher-tier vessels. Available ships include both historical and blueprint prototype vessels. Submarines and torpedo boats will not be present in World of Warships.

Dunkirk evacuation

The Dunkirk evacuation, code-named Operation Dynamo, also known as the Miracle of Dunkirk, was the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, France, between 27 May and 4 June 1940, during World War II. The operation was decided upon when large numbers of Belgian, British, and French troops were cut off and surrounded by the German army during the Battle of France. In a speech to the House of Commons, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill called the events in France "a colossal military disaster", saying "the whole root and core and brain of the British Army" had been stranded at Dunkirk and seemed about to perish or be captured. In his We shall fight on the beaches speech on 4 June, he hailed their rescue as a "miracle of deliverance".

After Nazi Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, marking the beginning of the Second World War, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was sent to aid in the defence of France. Germany invaded Belgium and the Netherlands on 10 May 1940, and three of their Panzer corps attacked France through the Ardennes and rapidly drove to the English Channel. By 21 May, the German forces had trapped the BEF, the remains of the Belgian forces, and three French armies in an area along the northern coast of France. Commander of the BEF General John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort, immediately saw that evacuation across the Channel was the best course of action and began planning a withdrawal to Dunkirk, the closest location with good port facilities. On 22 May 1940, a halt order was issued by the German High Command, with Adolf Hitler's approval. This gave the trapped Allied forces time to construct defensive works and pull back large numbers of troops toward Dunkirk, to fight the Battle of Dunkirk. From 28–31 May 1940, in the Siege of Lille, the remaining 40,000 men of the once-formidable French First Army fought a delaying action against seven German divisions, including three armoured divisions.