Human Blonde Hair As Humidity Indicator

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 4, 5 January 1940, Page 4

Human Blonde Hair As Humidity Indicator

LONDON, Dec. 1. When Anita Loos said “Gentlemen prefer blondes,” she started something, writes M. Q, D. Gallagher, Daily Express war reporter in France. My guess is that it is too much of a generalisation to bo true. But from here (of all places) I can make a statement along those lines brooking no contradiction whatsoever. It is this—the weather men of the R.A.F. will have nothing to do with any but blondes. And they must be genuine bloudes. Having, I hope, aroused your ***p>sity, let mo explain. Somewhere iu England there is a girl with the most beautiful, natural yellow hair. It is long and flawless; Every so often she cuts off strands 12 in. long and sends them to the R.A.F. meteorological station, who keep some and send the rest over hero by ’plane to tlieir men in the field. Measuring Air Humidity. And here they are used to help read the weather. A strand at a time may go into the hydrograpb, an instrument that measures the humidity of the air. One end is suspended from a stationary support. Tho other is tiod to a hook on a small light finger of metal. At the end of this finger is a pen. If the air is dry the hair contracts and lifts the pen, which scores :i line on a moving chart. If there is moisture in the air, it slackens, and tho pen writes a downward line. The whole machine is enclosed in a glass case, which is in turn protected by a light wooden box that looks rather like a modern beehive. Measuring the humidity of the air is only one of tho functions of the R.A.F. weather men in the field. It is important, though. Blonde hair is chosen because it Ss supposed to bo more sensitive than all others. As you can imagine, an artificial blonde, attractive though she might be to look at, is no use to them, bccauso the dye cannot alter the natural resilience of the hair. The Army Weather Beureau. The R.A.F. run our weather bureau here, and give the weather to tho Army. Most of tho men in charge are universi-

ty men; tlic young chap who looks after the hair, for instance, got honours in : physics and mathematics. i Without them, the R.A.F. do not care to fly. Without them, the urtillery cannot be so sure of getting their objec- '

tives. Weather affects them all. Wind means special calculations in firing shells. Heat and cold affect the high explosive inside them. I have noticed in the previous wars I havo reported how tho weather

always seemed to favour the best-equip-ped arm}’. I have oaly just realised that the better-equipped army went into action because they were better equipped to sec what weather was coming and to take advantage of it.