What links a hearing aid, a department store, the relationship between two fundamental interactions of nature, and cherry trees?

gmackematix

Let's mentally freewheel a little and see if it helps: I know few things about hearing aids. They have been worn by singers Johnny Ray and Morissey, while Bono was named sfter a shop that sells them. I think Benjamin Franklin may have invented one. Fundamental interactions to me suggests strong, weak, gravity and EM. As for cherry trees, well they are of the Prunus family, they produce cherries and blossom and Washington chopped his Dad's down. Oh and Mary Poppins visited Cherry Tree Lane. Is any of that likely to help anyone answer this? Feb 27 05, 8:48 PM

peasypod

Oh dear gmack....too many birthday celebrations I see... Feb 27 05, 8:57 PM

gmackematix

Hmmm [with pursed lips and furrowed brow] I take it that's a no then? Feb 27 05, 9:11 PM

peasypod

I guess you'll have a hard time with the cherry trees, but the rest is a piece of cake. Feb 27 05, 9:21 PM

peasypod

I hear the Thanksgiving Day Parade is quite a hoot. Feb 28 05, 6:48 PM

Arpeggionist

Could it have anything to do with the American revolution? Ben Franklin experimented with hearing aids, and the cherry tree is an obvious referrence to George Washington. The other two I'm still trying to figure out. Mar 01 05, 6:18 AM

Arpeggionist

Or US presidents in general... Clinton used hearing aids and Truman was a salesman for a while before being involved in politics. Mar 01 05, 6:20 AM

peasypod

Cherry trees are to do with a lady....Turn up the volume on the hearing aid and you might hear the sweet sounds of the laws of physics. Mar 01 05, 6:23 AM

peasypod

Perhaps if someone were to donate a little wealth of their wisdom... Mar 01 05, 5:39 PM

peasypod

One more clue, then it's to the bottom of the crypt for this one. Perhaps a Uni student might be a relative? Mar 02 05, 6:07 PM

gmackematix

Yes, I've had a couple in the crypt marked "Too Cryptic" lately. I don't know about donating wealth of wisdom but I'll give you a penny for your thoughts. The department store reference combined with your Thanksgiving and lady clues made me think Macy's but I don't think that any more. I admit defeat on this one. Mar 02 05, 8:32 PM

peasypod

Yes yes yes Macy's. Now, think donations. Think what Macy's may have been formally known as. And think gravitation and electromagnetism. Blimey, that's it in a nutshell. Mar 02 05, 9:36 PM

gmackematix

Norbert and Wiener are both insults but put them together and you have a man who worked n differential gravity and also worked on cybernetics research funded by the Josiah Macy Foundation. I can't work in hearing aids and cherry trees though. http://www.isss.org/lumwiener.htm Mar 03 05, 1:37 AM

peasypod

Nope, you're trying so hard aren't you? Clear your head and start over. Now, what do you have so far? Former name of Macy's gives you a philanthropist....work out the donation and you have the place where E=mc2 comes to life. Mar 03 05, 2:11 AM

peasypod

Ok, last chance. After today I'll give the yay to myself.. Mar 06 05, 5:38 PM

gmackematix

I can't see that Macy's had a former name. If anyone gets another Macy's link to physics it'll be a miracle on 34th Street. As for E equals Macy squared... Mar 06 05, 5:52 PM

peasypod

Jeepers! Here you are---served on a silver platter. Bamberger. Mar 06 05, 5:54 PM

gmackematix

I think when you told me to clear my head I was a little too successful. So Newark's Louis Bamberger and his sister Caroline gave $5 million to The Institute of Advanced Studies in Princeton (one of the first students being Mr Einstein) and Caroline also donated money to have cherry trees planted in a park. Bamberger sold his store to RH Macy who kept the name. Hearing aids? Mar 06 05, 8:03 PM

peasypod

I knew you could do it gmack, I just knew it. Hot Earl Grey coming right up. Here is what the whole saga is about: http://www.princetonhistory.org/einstein/ Our pal Einstein had a patent for a hearing aid once, by the way. Mar 06 05, 8:10 PM