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From: nyssa@abnji.UUCP (nyssa of traken)
Newsgroups: net.jokes
Subject: Re: Manhole covers (interview question)
Message-ID: <450@abnji.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 26-Mar-85 07:22:14 EST
Article-I.D.: abnji.450
Posted: Tue Mar 26 07:22:14 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 27-Mar-85 03:30:38 EST
References: <783@erix.UUCP>
Organization: Terminus Hospital, Incorporated
Lines: 17

>In article <564@ahutb.UUCP> leeper@ahutb.UUCP (m.r.leeper) writes:
>>Curves of constant breadth came up during WWII.  The British were
>>trying to mill hulls of submarines to have perfectly circular
>>cross-sections.  
>
>The British 50 pence coin is also a (seven sided) shape which has a constant
>diameter. I believe that the idea was to make it usable in coin operated 
>machines. Funny to think that research into submarines should influence the 
>coinage.

The British 20 p coin is also 7 sided.  Both can be used in vending machines,
most notably London underground ticket dispensers and telephones.  (The new
telephones even take pound coins.  Boo.)
-- 
James C Armstrong, Jnr.  { ihnp4 || allegra || mcnc || cbosgb } !abnji!jca

A hyperactive Peri!  Too ghastly to contemplate.