I remember reading somewhere dog wood trees had good wood for making "dogs" mechanical parts for mills-- which reappear in sewing machings--"feed dogs" I dont't think the use of the word dog is related to the animal-- mechanical "dogs" show up in lots of machines (copiers, printers, fullers, newpaper printers, etc.)

Do we have any mechanical engineers who will help define a mechanical dog-- or any wood workers who know the characteristics of dog wood-- I am vaguely aware that certain woods where use to specific purposes-- I am off now to google search for "The Hundred Year Shay" a poem about a carriage that was built so no part was stronger than any other-- and the whole thing lasted-- until, all at once it fell apart--entirely! it has a verse or two on which wood was used for what purpose..


my other obsession