Information: Allen St. John writes the "By the Numbers" column of the Wall Street Journal and often times contributes to Ski Magazine (one of the top skiing magazines on the market). The report is mean to be informational and somewhat of an overview. It is targeted towards the average person interested in sports or the Winter Olympics.
Summary: In recent years, new ski technology and the maverick style of American athletes has pushed the US to the top of the world when considering winter sports. The author is arguing that the combination of the unconventional training methods plus shaped skis have pushed the US to the brink.
Since 2007 and Bode Miller's outstanding performance at the Winter Olympics, all the rage in the winter sport world has been with American athletes. Some of these athletes include Lindsay Vonn, Johnny Spillane, Bode Miller, and Shaun White. The way they won and got popular was because of their technology.
Vonn used men's skis, the first woman to win gold with them (they are harder to bend and are larger), Spillane was the first US athlete to win the Nordic Combined event, and Bode Miller was the first skier to win a gold with shaped skis. The other method that St. John mentioned was their maverick styles. Vonn got personal training from her husband independently from the US Ski Team. Spillane started in a grass-roots campaign. Miller made his own independent "Team of the Americas" before rejoining the US team, and Shaun White had a secret halfpipe built by his sponsor to perfect his signature move. Then he goes on to explain how the US Olympic Committee in general handed out 58.2 million dollars (half of what Canada did) to those who were training or trying to qualify to the Olympics, showing how America can win without putting a significant dent in the debt of the American people. There is other talk about sports such as figure skating but they do not pertain to my subject.
Evaluation: The work is logical, because it captivates the reader by starting with a brilliant story about Spillane and his gold, then progresses through the other 'first' successes of the US Winter Olympic team. This shows the reader how much this topic covers and how important it is. It is not well researched because it is merely a news article, yet it is comprehensive because of the level of detail it goes into. Many of the people talked about are well known, while others are not known at all. Nevertheless, if these names were to be searched, many other stories will be seen. The scope is medium sized because it focuses on the US Winter Olympic teams, yet focused on one aspect of the Winter Olympics, winning.
The author is clearly biased towards giving more information about skiing than any other event, but that is partially because there are more skiing events then others. Also he is writing an article about the maverick style of US teams, so he is biased towards the US.
Reflection: This source is helpful, because it shows me there is plenty of information out there in terms of ski technology affecting skiing and ski competitions. Also it gives me specific people to research for key facts. This source has helped me develop my argument to say that shaped skis have propelled the US forward in the world of winter sports.
Although the work is a good start to my research, I would have appreciated more on Bode Miller, since he is a sensation in the sport of skiing, and was the first to win with shaped skis in the Winter Olympics. ===============================================================================================
Information: Steve Kopitz, the founder of Skis.com is an expert skier with over 49 years of skiing experience under his belt. Skis.com has been run since 1997, making it experienced and knowledgeable. The website is partnered with countless companies ranging from the new to the widely known. This YouTube video is meant to be somewhat persuasive, yet informative too, about shaped skis and straight skis. The target audience is anyone looking to find information about skis and what type to buy.
Summary: With the introduction of shaped skis, straight skis have become obsolete. With straight skis, the skier needs to use more physicality to turn, and needs to force the turn. With shaped skis, the engineered taper from the middle to the end of the ski, help you carve a turn, which decreases your turning radius, decreases the amount of work you need to do, and increases your speed. Steve visually demonstrates why this is happening. He takes the straight ski on the floor and shows there is no natural tendency to turn or curve. Yet when he puts down the shaped ski, and weight is applied an arc appears and forces the ski to turn the skier.
Evaluation: The video is concise and short, which can keep the topic narrow and specific. This is helpful because the world of skiing is giant. The topic is logical because it does not contradict itself and physically shows the benefits of shaped skis. It may not be as well researched because Kopitz already knows most of the information. There is enough information given on the benefits of shaped skis for me to get something out of the video. Kopitz is somewhat objective yet he still is making a small sales pitch.
Reflection: The source is helpful to my research because it physically backs up my point of view about shaped skis. The fact that it simultaneously points out straight skis are obsolete also help me develop my knowledge of ski technology through time. ================================================================================================
3.Citation: Fry, John. "THE SUPER-SIDECUT SKI SHAPED A REVOLUTION." Ski 71.7 (2007): 85. MAS Ultra - School Edition. EBSCO. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.
Information: John Fry periodically writes for the Ski Magazine, one of the most prestigious ski magazines in the world. Articles are written based on products, experiences or to teach new techniques. This article is an informative article with the intention to educate the skiing public about the history of shaped skis.
Summary: Fry argues that the idea for shaped skis were around since 1802, when Norwegian craftsmen started to tinker with the conventional straight ski. But the skiing world was one of the most stubborn worlds. They resisted change in almost any manner. People knew that using the edge of the ski made turning easier, but as Fry quoted Seth Mash, a professional ski instructor, everyone taught the wrong type of turn. The turn taught did not require edge use, and therefore the idea of making a ski that would utilize the edge was totally absurd. Another argument the Fry says was used was that because World Champion skiers of the 70's and 80's could ski straight skis well, then so could the public. A hiccup in the road, and what Fry contributes a major change to, is the invention of the snowboard, at that time just a giant shaped ski, in the 90's. This influenced many companies to at least create a limited edition shaped ski, that had a larger side-cut and a wider tip and tail. There was giant success, but the public and professional world only accepted these as teaching tools, and not serious skis. In 1996, Bode Miller, as a Junior in the US Junior Nationals, stunned the crowd by crushing the competition on these 'petty' shaped skis. This started the shaped ski boom. Fry ends his article saying that with more and more technology coming out, engineers can make even better skis and maybe another Bode Miller will come some time soon.
Evaluation: The work takes a logical chronological method of conveying its information, which helps the reader organize it well. The information in the article is well researched, as it quotes many professional instructors and skiers, as well as having accurate numbers and citing specific events. The scope of the article narrowed down as it reached the end, whereas at the beginnning one could not tell this was more than a history lesson. At the end, it was perfectly clear to the reader that Fry was talking about the future of shaped skis. Fry seems less biased, probably because he has used both types of skis before.
Reflection: This sources is helpful to my research because it provides me with the necessary background and technical specifications I need to understand what changes actually took place when inventing the shaped ski. This also pushes me towards researching how competition affected and was effected by shaped skis. ================================================================================================
Information: The Vermont Ski Museum is a prestigious museum in the skiing world. They offer a wide range of exhibits and are sponsored by many businesses and ski mountains. The web page is an overview of their newest exhibit, the history of skiing, and is an informative article. The audience is intended to anyone wishing to learn more about the museum or someone interested in ski history.
Summary: The stance taken in this article is that skiing really took off once metal edges were thought of, and once shorter skis were used to teach beginners. It gives specific examples of ski techniques and how competition affected the 'new' way to ski. Depending on which country won the most recent competition, the technique from their country became the way to ski. The first major push for metal skis that would be widely produced were in 1958 when Head made the first manufactured metal ski. Dubbed "The Cheater" because they made anything easy and were good for all levels of skiing. In 1996 though, the K2 Four really took the market by surprise. It gained popularity overnight, as metal straight skis were so hard to turn. K2 had refitted their factory to make shaped skis, a major risk, and their gamble payed off. Shaped skis then became the only way to ski.
Evaluation: The way the article is written keeps the reader awake, as there are concise paragraphs about each stage in skiing history. The way it is reported is chronologically which also helps it be more logical. The article is well researched too, as there are numerous dates and models cited, and it is a museum. The scope was pretty large, but once it got to the timeline portion of the article, one can tell that it is about shaped skis.
Reflection: This source was helpful, because before I thought that shaped skis revolutionized competition, and now I know that competition also helped revolutionize skis. ================================================================================================
Information: K2 is one of the biggest names in the ski industry. They are respected as one of the revolutionaries of the shaped ski. K2 also sponsors many athletes and events. This web page consists of multiple videos on technology of design as well as short paragraphs about the technology behind building skis and is meant to be informative. The intended audience is any ski fanatic, or person interested in ski technology.
Summary: K2 has interviews with key people, such as Seth Morrison, Zach Crist, Heather Paul, and Michelle Parker really convinces the listener that K2's technology works. K2 has not only developed major shaped skis, but they also have engineered all their skis to have a camber, which make the ski more bendable. The web page is even more centered on their newest technology, the rocker, which keeps more of the ski up in the air. The web page does a nice job of explaining the technology in simple terms yet being accurate at the same time. The core of the ski is a low density wood mixture of Aspen and Paulownia that allows more bend and higher performance.
Evaluation: This source is definitely well researched, as all the technologies have been produced by engineers and a research and development department. The work is logical, as it shows videos of testimonials and actual skiing so that the reader/viewer has something to relate to. Then towards the bottom, the scope narrows, as it talks about specific technologies in the building of the skis.
Reflection: This source was helpful to narrow my research down to a specific type of ski, not just shaped vs. straight skis. ================================================================================================
Information: Alex Clarey has spend his whole life skiing, and actually has a lot of credentials behind his name. Clarey was the captain and vice-president of his ski club at USC and was a ski instructor at Mammoth once he graduated. Clarey now heads the online content at The Ski Channel. The Ski Channel is a well known television channel that specializes in technique, covering competition and breaking news in the ski world. This article is meant to be informative but is also persuasive. The audience is anyone wanting to find out more information about new ski technology.
Summary: Clarey's thesis is that the invention of parabolic/shaped skis prompted a major influx of new technology and ideas towards skiing. Engineers and experts alike started to come up with radical proposals, including one Shane McConkey who proposed the radical idea of a 'rocker.' This source also discusses the various types of cambers, and how they have been developed over the past decade. Clarey then goes on to describe how competition and recreational skiing has be monumentally changed by the invention of the rocker. This decreases surface contact so that turning is easier. Specifically the Rossignol S7 is talked about as the first mass produced ski with a camber and rocker. This style and technology is now mimicked across almost all ski companies and ski designs.
Evaluation: The resource may not be as well researched as it could be, but the fact that a specific ski and person shows there was some research. The scope could be a bit more developed as the author did not go in as much detail about the combination of camber and rocker that he could have. The author is biased towards the camber rocker combination as opposed to just a camber.
Reflection: I learned new technologies are being developed even today in the ski world. This will help me further my research in the area of cambers and rockers, which I have another source on too. I may now also look up the Rossignol S7 or Rossingol's technology. ================================================================================================ 7.Citation: Masia, Seth, and Morten Lund. "Ski History Dates." Skiing History. International Skiing History Association, n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://skiinghistory.org/skishistory.html>.
Information: Morten Lund and Seth Masia are the authors of this webpage. Skiinghistory.org is sponsored by the International Skiing History Association, which is an internationally recognized organization in the skiing world. The intended audience for this webpage is anyone who wants to know more of the origins or history of skiing. This article is meant to be purely informative.
Summary: This source is meant to summarize the major dates in ski history, mainly focusing on ski technology. 'Skis' according to the source were used in prehistoric times, yet the modern ski was not used until about 18th century, where the Swedish Army used them for transportation. The base of all technologies used today in skiing, the camber, was invented in 1850 to make skis lighter and bendable, yet still out of wood. The sidecut, which is the other main element of the shaped skis was invented in 1868, yet were not as radical or staggered as today's are. In the early 1900's, the first major experimentation with metal in skis was made. Metal ski edges decreased turning radius, and cut into hard packed snow. This set the scene for experimentation with aluminum and fully metal skis, which went until the mid 1900's. From about 1950 to 1990 fiberglass and plastics were experimented with and they prompted new technology which became the modern ski. And in 1990, the revolution started, Rossignol and K2 both made shaped skis with super sidecuts, plastic cores, metal edges, and cambers; a combination of all the technology before. The article sites many names, and patents and years for which each event coincides.
Evaluation: This article was clearly well researched, as it is chronologically mapped out with correct names, and inventions. It even goes into depth about where each patent ended up. It also follows up in later dates, explaining how each one is linked to another. The reader gets full understanding of the topic because the scope is fully talked about. The authors are slightly biased in building up a climax at which shaped skis are built, meaning that they think shaped skis are the best thing in skiing.
Reflection: This source is extremely helpful, because now that I know how shaped skis were developed, I can predict what will happen in the future. I will use this to research more into the use of cambers and sidecuts and how they may develop more. ================================================================================================ 8.Citation: Eyre, David. "Physics of Skiing." University of Utah Math. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.math.utah.edu/~eyre/rsbfaq/physics.html>.
Information: David Eyre is a major part of the University of Utah's math department. Being in Utah, the university specializes in skiing, and is one of Eyre's major hobbies. This source, which is mainly math and physics, is meant to be informative, and in some way persuasive as it proves why shaped skis are better than straight skis. The audience is anyone who is good at physics/math, anyone interested in the math behind skiing, or anyone who wants to know more about Utah math.
Summary: Eyre starts out by making the reader visualize what a shaped ski looks like. He tells the reader how to measure a sidecut radius, which will be used to find the value of a pure carved turn. Then Eyre goes on to explain how the turn is achieved from a greater side cut. He says that because the ski has to be de-cambered or weighted, there is more of the ski in contact with the ground, which is also at a great angle. He uses these formulas to explain it:
d = Rsc * (1-cos(phi/2))
d_rc = d * cot(alpha-theta)
Rcyl = (L^2 + 4*d_rc^2)/(8*d_rc)
Rturn = Rcyl * sin(alpha+theta)
Evaluation: There is not much research in terms of the conventional method, but more of a method in which Eyre would make a formula based on numbers and values, then try and prove it. The scope as far as proving that shaped skis are better than straight skis is highly effective and is done thoroughly. The reader is truly convinced that because math proves it, it must be true. Eyre is biased because as an experienced skier, he knows shaped skis are better, yet the numbers do not lie.
Reflection: I will use this article and formulas to actually implement this in my research and maybe even presentation. Nevertheless I intend to measure the pure carved turn of one of my own skis. This will be a major part of my project as it is physical proof for my essential question. ================================================================================================ 9.Citation: Masia, Seth. "Skiing Heritage News: Sidecut." Skiing History. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. <http://www.skiinghistory.org/sidecut.html>.
Information: Seth Masia is part of Skihistory.org, which is a well known site in the skiing world. It is sponsored by an internationally recognized and respected organization called the Internation Skiing History Association. The webpage here is meant to be informative. The audience is anyone researching the origins of the modern ski.
Summary: Masia argues that the sidecut, that led to the parabolic or shaped ski, was brought on by subtle changes in behind-the-scene ski manufacturers, until popular skiers found out the new technology and made it mainstream. The development of sidecuts grew steadily from the 1800's to the early 1900's, yet from about 1950 to 1993, there was little to no progress. Masia feeds the reader through the process of making the shaped ski. The article mostly follows a chronological timeline. At first, wooden skis could not have sidecuts, as they could not be bent easily, then solid hickory skis started to be made, and with their new flexibility the sidecut was born, although only at a measly 7mm. With the sidecut came new champions in the World Cup and the new French Style of skiing because they won the competition. Soon metal and fiberglass started being experimented with, and the shape was even more curved. Manufacturers were now concentrating more and more on racing skis, and making turns faster and easier on the skier. This was only made possible by increasing the sidecut. Even though this was the development, from 1940 - 1980 there as a serious stall in sidecut development. Snowboards shook up the scene in 1975 with Burton, and thus, the ski manufacturers had more inspiration for making greater sidecuts. In the early 80's sidecut may not have changed much, but the overall shape of the ski did. Powder skis changed because of the invention of snowboards, and new slalom skis were invented because races were getting faster and faster. The main reason why the increased sidecut caught on was because everyone used it and everyone was instantly better on skis with it. In 1993 when the shaped ski boom happened, K2 led the way with the K2 Two, Three, and Four. But in 1996, Bode Miller single-handedly changed the sport by winning all but one event in the Junior National Championships. Skiing would never be the same.
Evaluation: The article and author were very thorough and the scope of the article was fully addressed. The work is also well organized and logical. Masia still seems to have a bias though, towards shaped skis over straight skis, mostly because he was one of the first testers of the new shaped skis. The work is defininetly well researched, as it has multiple names and dates and figures.
Reflection: This source is great in helping me link competition and shaped ski development, as no other source has gone as in depth. I will use this source to look more into Bode Miller's Junior National Championship run. ================================================================================================ 10.Citation:Taylor, Rich C. "Shaped skis: hourglass edges take over the slopes." Popular Mechanics Dec. 1996: 60+. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 27 Oct. 2010.
Information: Rich Taylor is a perennial author for the magazine "Popular Mechanics," which is a very prestigious magazine for mechanical objects, new technology and engineering feats. The article is meant to be an overview and slightly persuasive where Taylor is trying to persuade the reader to buy shaped skis. The audience is anyone who want to know why shaped skis are better than straight skis, or the casual "Popular Mechanics" reader, or a ski shopper.
Summary: Taylor tells the reader that there was never going to be a ski revolution until snowboarding popped up. Snowboards gave insight to ski designers, who quickly launched multiple types of skis for multiple situations. The Elan SXC which was a cross between a snowboard and a slalom ski was the perfect stepping stone to the modern ski. He says it took five years for all the pieces required to have a revolution; the technology, the desire, the need, and the public's acceptance. Finally all the ski manufacturers were on the same page, they all knew that having a short ski made you more stable, and having a fatter ski made the turn easier and made you float on powder better. Shaped skis are so forgiving that there's no need for the custom tailoring that is characteristic of old style skis.
Evaluation: This source, although short, explained the psychological process that happened in order for shaped skis to take hold of the skiing world. The scope may have been able to be more addressed. The work is not as well researched as it could be but has some very important info nevertheless.
Reflection: This source is helpful as it works me through the process of the shaped ski revolution, which had been missing previously. Also, I am going to go further into the actual value of the sidecut. I wish this source had talked more about competition though. ================================================================================================ 11.Citation:
Information: Allen St. John writes the "By the Numbers" column of the Wall Street Journal and often times contributes to Ski Magazine (one of the top skiing magazines on the market). The report is mean to be informational and somewhat of an overview. It is targeted towards the average person interested in sports or the Winter Olympics.
Summary: In recent years, new ski technology and the maverick style of American athletes has pushed the US to the top of the world when considering winter sports. The author is arguing that the combination of the unconventional training methods plus shaped skis have pushed the US to the brink.
Since 2007 and Bode Miller's outstanding performance at the Winter Olympics, all the rage in the winter sport world has been with American athletes. Some of these athletes include Lindsay Vonn, Johnny Spillane, Bode Miller, and Shaun White. The way they won and got popular was because of their technology.
Vonn used men's skis, the first woman to win gold with them (they are harder to bend and are larger), Spillane was the first US athlete to win the Nordic Combined event, and Bode Miller was the first skier to win a gold with shaped skis. The other method that St. John mentioned was their maverick styles. Vonn got personal training from her husband independently from the US Ski Team. Spillane started in a grass-roots campaign. Miller made his own independent "Team of the Americas" before rejoining the US team, and Shaun White had a secret halfpipe built by his sponsor to perfect his signature move. Then he goes on to explain how the US Olympic Committee in general handed out 58.2 million dollars (half of what Canada did) to those who were training or trying to qualify to the Olympics, showing how America can win without putting a significant dent in the debt of the American people. There is other talk about sports such as figure skating but they do not pertain to my subject.
Evaluation: The work is logical, because it captivates the reader by starting with a brilliant story about Spillane and his gold, then progresses through the other 'first' successes of the US Winter Olympic team. This shows the reader how much this topic covers and how important it is. It is not well researched because it is merely a news article, yet it is comprehensive because of the level of detail it goes into. Many of the people talked about are well known, while others are not known at all. Nevertheless, if these names were to be searched, many other stories will be seen. The scope is medium sized because it focuses on the US Winter Olympic teams, yet focused on one aspect of the Winter Olympics, winning.
The author is clearly biased towards giving more information about skiing than any other event, but that is partially because there are more skiing events then others. Also he is writing an article about the maverick style of US teams, so he is biased towards the US.
Reflection: This source is helpful, because it shows me there is plenty of information out there in terms of ski technology affecting skiing and ski competitions. Also it gives me specific people to research for key facts. This source has helped me develop my argument to say that shaped skis have propelled the US forward in the world of winter sports.
Although the work is a good start to my research, I would have appreciated more on Bode Miller, since he is a sensation in the sport of skiing, and was the first to win with shaped skis in the Winter Olympics.
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Information: Steve Kopitz, the founder of Skis.com is an expert skier with over 49 years of skiing experience under his belt. Skis.com has been run since 1997, making it experienced and knowledgeable. The website is partnered with countless companies ranging from the new to the widely known. This YouTube video is meant to be somewhat persuasive, yet informative too, about shaped skis and straight skis. The target audience is anyone looking to find information about skis and what type to buy.
Summary: With the introduction of shaped skis, straight skis have become obsolete. With straight skis, the skier needs to use more physicality to turn, and needs to force the turn. With shaped skis, the engineered taper from the middle to the end of the ski, help you carve a turn, which decreases your turning radius, decreases the amount of work you need to do, and increases your speed. Steve visually demonstrates why this is happening. He takes the straight ski on the floor and shows there is no natural tendency to turn or curve. Yet when he puts down the shaped ski, and weight is applied an arc appears and forces the ski to turn the skier.
Evaluation: The video is concise and short, which can keep the topic narrow and specific. This is helpful because the world of skiing is giant. The topic is logical because it does not contradict itself and physically shows the benefits of shaped skis. It may not be as well researched because Kopitz already knows most of the information. There is enough information given on the benefits of shaped skis for me to get something out of the video. Kopitz is somewhat objective yet he still is making a small sales pitch.
Reflection: The source is helpful to my research because it physically backs up my point of view about shaped skis. The fact that it simultaneously points out straight skis are obsolete also help me develop my knowledge of ski technology through time.
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Information: John Fry periodically writes for the Ski Magazine, one of the most prestigious ski magazines in the world. Articles are written based on products, experiences or to teach new techniques. This article is an informative article with the intention to educate the skiing public about the history of shaped skis.
Summary: Fry argues that the idea for shaped skis were around since 1802, when Norwegian craftsmen started to tinker with the conventional straight ski. But the skiing world was one of the most stubborn worlds. They resisted change in almost any manner. People knew that using the edge of the ski made turning easier, but as Fry quoted Seth Mash, a professional ski instructor, everyone taught the wrong type of turn. The turn taught did not require edge use, and therefore the idea of making a ski that would utilize the edge was totally absurd. Another argument the Fry says was used was that because World Champion skiers of the 70's and 80's could ski straight skis well, then so could the public. A hiccup in the road, and what Fry contributes a major change to, is the invention of the snowboard, at that time just a giant shaped ski, in the 90's. This influenced many companies to at least create a limited edition shaped ski, that had a larger side-cut and a wider tip and tail. There was giant success, but the public and professional world only accepted these as teaching tools, and not serious skis. In 1996, Bode Miller, as a Junior in the US Junior Nationals, stunned the crowd by crushing the competition on these 'petty' shaped skis. This started the shaped ski boom. Fry ends his article saying that with more and more technology coming out, engineers can make even better skis and maybe another Bode Miller will come some time soon.
Evaluation: The work takes a logical chronological method of conveying its information, which helps the reader organize it well. The information in the article is well researched, as it quotes many professional instructors and skiers, as well as having accurate numbers and citing specific events. The scope of the article narrowed down as it reached the end, whereas at the beginnning one could not tell this was more than a history lesson. At the end, it was perfectly clear to the reader that Fry was talking about the future of shaped skis. Fry seems less biased, probably because he has used both types of skis before.
Reflection: This sources is helpful to my research because it provides me with the necessary background and technical specifications I need to understand what changes actually took place when inventing the shaped ski. This also pushes me towards researching how competition affected and was effected by shaped skis.
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Information: The Vermont Ski Museum is a prestigious museum in the skiing world. They offer a wide range of exhibits and are sponsored by many businesses and ski mountains. The web page is an overview of their newest exhibit, the history of skiing, and is an informative article. The audience is intended to anyone wishing to learn more about the museum or someone interested in ski history.
Summary: The stance taken in this article is that skiing really took off once metal edges were thought of, and once shorter skis were used to teach beginners. It gives specific examples of ski techniques and how competition affected the 'new' way to ski. Depending on which country won the most recent competition, the technique from their country became the way to ski. The first major push for metal skis that would be widely produced were in 1958 when Head made the first manufactured metal ski. Dubbed "The Cheater" because they made anything easy and were good for all levels of skiing. In 1996 though, the K2 Four really took the market by surprise. It gained popularity overnight, as metal straight skis were so hard to turn. K2 had refitted their factory to make shaped skis, a major risk, and their gamble payed off. Shaped skis then became the only way to ski.
Evaluation: The way the article is written keeps the reader awake, as there are concise paragraphs about each stage in skiing history. The way it is reported is chronologically which also helps it be more logical. The article is well researched too, as there are numerous dates and models cited, and it is a museum. The scope was pretty large, but once it got to the timeline portion of the article, one can tell that it is about shaped skis.
Reflection: This source was helpful, because before I thought that shaped skis revolutionized competition, and now I know that competition also helped revolutionize skis.
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Information: K2 is one of the biggest names in the ski industry. They are respected as one of the revolutionaries of the shaped ski. K2 also sponsors many athletes and events. This web page consists of multiple videos on technology of design as well as short paragraphs about the technology behind building skis and is meant to be informative. The intended audience is any ski fanatic, or person interested in ski technology.
Summary: K2 has interviews with key people, such as Seth Morrison, Zach Crist, Heather Paul, and Michelle Parker really convinces the listener that K2's technology works. K2 has not only developed major shaped skis, but they also have engineered all their skis to have a camber, which make the ski more bendable. The web page is even more centered on their newest technology, the rocker, which keeps more of the ski up in the air. The web page does a nice job of explaining the technology in simple terms yet being accurate at the same time. The core of the ski is a low density wood mixture of Aspen and Paulownia that allows more bend and higher performance.
Evaluation: This source is definitely well researched, as all the technologies have been produced by engineers and a research and development department. The work is logical, as it shows videos of testimonials and actual skiing so that the reader/viewer has something to relate to. Then towards the bottom, the scope narrows, as it talks about specific technologies in the building of the skis.
Reflection: This source was helpful to narrow my research down to a specific type of ski, not just shaped vs. straight skis.
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Information: Alex Clarey has spend his whole life skiing, and actually has a lot of credentials behind his name. Clarey was the captain and vice-president of his ski club at USC and was a ski instructor at Mammoth once he graduated. Clarey now heads the online content at The Ski Channel. The Ski Channel is a well known television channel that specializes in technique, covering competition and breaking news in the ski world. This article is meant to be informative but is also persuasive. The audience is anyone wanting to find out more information about new ski technology.
Summary: Clarey's thesis is that the invention of parabolic/shaped skis prompted a major influx of new technology and ideas towards skiing. Engineers and experts alike started to come up with radical proposals, including one Shane McConkey who proposed the radical idea of a 'rocker.' This source also discusses the various types of cambers, and how they have been developed over the past decade. Clarey then goes on to describe how competition and recreational skiing has be monumentally changed by the invention of the rocker. This decreases surface contact so that turning is easier. Specifically the Rossignol S7 is talked about as the first mass produced ski with a camber and rocker. This style and technology is now mimicked across almost all ski companies and ski designs.
Evaluation: The resource may not be as well researched as it could be, but the fact that a specific ski and person shows there was some research. The scope could be a bit more developed as the author did not go in as much detail about the combination of camber and rocker that he could have. The author is biased towards the camber rocker combination as opposed to just a camber.
Reflection: I learned new technologies are being developed even today in the ski world. This will help me further my research in the area of cambers and rockers, which I have another source on too. I may now also look up the Rossignol S7 or Rossingol's technology.
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7. Citation: Masia, Seth, and Morten Lund. "Ski History Dates." Skiing History. International Skiing History Association, n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://skiinghistory.org/skishistory.html>.
Information: Morten Lund and Seth Masia are the authors of this webpage. Skiinghistory.org is sponsored by the International Skiing History Association, which is an internationally recognized organization in the skiing world. The intended audience for this webpage is anyone who wants to know more of the origins or history of skiing. This article is meant to be purely informative.
Summary: This source is meant to summarize the major dates in ski history, mainly focusing on ski technology. 'Skis' according to the source were used in prehistoric times, yet the modern ski was not used until about 18th century, where the Swedish Army used them for transportation. The base of all technologies used today in skiing, the camber, was invented in 1850 to make skis lighter and bendable, yet still out of wood. The sidecut, which is the other main element of the shaped skis was invented in 1868, yet were not as radical or staggered as today's are. In the early 1900's, the first major experimentation with metal in skis was made. Metal ski edges decreased turning radius, and cut into hard packed snow. This set the scene for experimentation with aluminum and fully metal skis, which went until the mid 1900's. From about 1950 to 1990 fiberglass and plastics were experimented with and they prompted new technology which became the modern ski. And in 1990, the revolution started, Rossignol and K2 both made shaped skis with super sidecuts, plastic cores, metal edges, and cambers; a combination of all the technology before. The article sites many names, and patents and years for which each event coincides.
Evaluation: This article was clearly well researched, as it is chronologically mapped out with correct names, and inventions. It even goes into depth about where each patent ended up. It also follows up in later dates, explaining how each one is linked to another. The reader gets full understanding of the topic because the scope is fully talked about. The authors are slightly biased in building up a climax at which shaped skis are built, meaning that they think shaped skis are the best thing in skiing.
Reflection: This source is extremely helpful, because now that I know how shaped skis were developed, I can predict what will happen in the future. I will use this to research more into the use of cambers and sidecuts and how they may develop more.
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8. Citation: Eyre, David. "Physics of Skiing." University of Utah Math. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.math.utah.edu/~eyre/rsbfaq/physics.html>.
Information: David Eyre is a major part of the University of Utah's math department. Being in Utah, the university specializes in skiing, and is one of Eyre's major hobbies. This source, which is mainly math and physics, is meant to be informative, and in some way persuasive as it proves why shaped skis are better than straight skis. The audience is anyone who is good at physics/math, anyone interested in the math behind skiing, or anyone who wants to know more about Utah math.
Summary: Eyre starts out by making the reader visualize what a shaped ski looks like. He tells the reader how to measure a sidecut radius, which will be used to find the value of a pure carved turn. Then Eyre goes on to explain how the turn is achieved from a greater side cut. He says that because the ski has to be de-cambered or weighted, there is more of the ski in contact with the ground, which is also at a great angle. He uses these formulas to explain it:
Evaluation: There is not much research in terms of the conventional method, but more of a method in which Eyre would make a formula based on numbers and values, then try and prove it. The scope as far as proving that shaped skis are better than straight skis is highly effective and is done thoroughly. The reader is truly convinced that because math proves it, it must be true. Eyre is biased because as an experienced skier, he knows shaped skis are better, yet the numbers do not lie.
Reflection: I will use this article and formulas to actually implement this in my research and maybe even presentation. Nevertheless I intend to measure the pure carved turn of one of my own skis. This will be a major part of my project as it is physical proof for my essential question.
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9. Citation: Masia, Seth. "Skiing Heritage News: Sidecut." Skiing History. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. <http://www.skiinghistory.org/sidecut.html>.
Information: Seth Masia is part of Skihistory.org, which is a well known site in the skiing world. It is sponsored by an internationally recognized and respected organization called the Internation Skiing History Association. The webpage here is meant to be informative. The audience is anyone researching the origins of the modern ski.
Summary: Masia argues that the sidecut, that led to the parabolic or shaped ski, was brought on by subtle changes in behind-the-scene ski manufacturers, until popular skiers found out the new technology and made it mainstream. The development of sidecuts grew steadily from the 1800's to the early 1900's, yet from about 1950 to 1993, there was little to no progress. Masia feeds the reader through the process of making the shaped ski. The article mostly follows a chronological timeline. At first, wooden skis could not have sidecuts, as they could not be bent easily, then solid hickory skis started to be made, and with their new flexibility the sidecut was born, although only at a measly 7mm. With the sidecut came new champions in the World Cup and the new French Style of skiing because they won the competition. Soon metal and fiberglass started being experimented with, and the shape was even more curved. Manufacturers were now concentrating more and more on racing skis, and making turns faster and easier on the skier. This was only made possible by increasing the sidecut. Even though this was the development, from 1940 - 1980 there as a serious stall in sidecut development. Snowboards shook up the scene in 1975 with Burton, and thus, the ski manufacturers had more inspiration for making greater sidecuts. In the early 80's sidecut may not have changed much, but the overall shape of the ski did. Powder skis changed because of the invention of snowboards, and new slalom skis were invented because races were getting faster and faster. The main reason why the increased sidecut caught on was because everyone used it and everyone was instantly better on skis with it. In 1993 when the shaped ski boom happened, K2 led the way with the K2 Two, Three, and Four. But in 1996, Bode Miller single-handedly changed the sport by winning all but one event in the Junior National Championships. Skiing would never be the same.
Evaluation: The article and author were very thorough and the scope of the article was fully addressed. The work is also well organized and logical. Masia still seems to have a bias though, towards shaped skis over straight skis, mostly because he was one of the first testers of the new shaped skis. The work is defininetly well researched, as it has multiple names and dates and figures.
Reflection: This source is great in helping me link competition and shaped ski development, as no other source has gone as in depth. I will use this source to look more into Bode Miller's Junior National Championship run.
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10. Citation: Taylor, Rich C. "Shaped skis: hourglass edges take over the slopes." Popular Mechanics Dec. 1996: 60+. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 27 Oct. 2010.
Information: Rich Taylor is a perennial author for the magazine "Popular Mechanics," which is a very prestigious magazine for mechanical objects, new technology and engineering feats. The article is meant to be an overview and slightly persuasive where Taylor is trying to persuade the reader to buy shaped skis. The audience is anyone who want to know why shaped skis are better than straight skis, or the casual "Popular Mechanics" reader, or a ski shopper.
Summary: Taylor tells the reader that there was never going to be a ski revolution until snowboarding popped up. Snowboards gave insight to ski designers, who quickly launched multiple types of skis for multiple situations. The Elan SXC which was a cross between a snowboard and a slalom ski was the perfect stepping stone to the modern ski. He says it took five years for all the pieces required to have a revolution; the technology, the desire, the need, and the public's acceptance. Finally all the ski manufacturers were on the same page, they all knew that having a short ski made you more stable, and having a fatter ski made the turn easier and made you float on powder better. Shaped skis are so forgiving that there's no need for the custom tailoring that is characteristic of old style skis.
Evaluation: This source, although short, explained the psychological process that happened in order for shaped skis to take hold of the skiing world. The scope may have been able to be more addressed. The work is not as well researched as it could be but has some very important info nevertheless.
Reflection: This source is helpful as it works me through the process of the shaped ski revolution, which had been missing previously. Also, I am going to go further into the actual value of the sidecut. I wish this source had talked more about competition though.
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