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From: dcn@ihuxl.UUCP (Dave Newkirk)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Stages to Saturn #2
Message-ID: <1653@ihuxl.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 25-Nov-85 09:45:49 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxl.1653
Posted: Mon Nov 25 09:45:49 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 26-Nov-85 20:29:11 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 23

At Huntington Beach, workmen complained of misanthropic pigeons roosting
and hovering around the rafters of the high-ceiling production buildings.
The droppings not only created sanitation problems for the Saturn stages,
but also for the workers.  A hand-picked pigeon elimination section went
to work on the problem.  High-frequency whistles worked for a time, but
the pigeons returned.  Occasional indoor potshots at the ubiquitous birds
produced humanitarian protests and holes in the roof.  Workmen tried to
pigeon-proof the building by sealing off all outside openings, but the
persistent creatures fluttered in through gaps where the huge door
machinery and track rails were installed.  Ornithologists consulted on
the problem finally suggested some specially treated seeds to temporarily
affect the pigoen's nervous systems.  It worked.  After pecking at the
seeds, the pigeons sat quite still for a time, then finally flew off,
never to return.  Cheerfuly, the maintenance crews refreshed the seed
supply every 60 days just to make sure their feathered foes kept their
distance.

From "Stages to Saturn - A Technological History of the Apollo/Saturn Launch
Vehicles", available from the Superindendant of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Order NASA SP-4206, $12.00.

-- 
				Dave Newkirk, ihnp4!ihuxl!dcn