2.009 Treasure Hunt Sources

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Treasure Hunt Questions and Information Sources

For each question, please provide a good citation for where you found the answer. If you used library materials, provide the call number and library in which it is located. If you used a database, indicate which database was used.

Take me to: question 1; question 2; question 3; question 4; question 5.

Question 1: You are investigating TOPIC and need to find some facts. (Hint: use handbooks, encyclopedias, or reports to answer these types of factual questions)

TOPIC: Wind turbines in various US cities

What is the average wind velocity (mi/h) in Chattanooga, TN?

ANSWER: Use Marks Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers. Think about the question, and use the TOC headings to narrow down. Chapter 9, Power Generation has a section on Wind Power. Table 9.1.2 has this information.

6.7

Citation: Anonymous 2006, "Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers (11th Edition)," McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, New York, NY. page 9-10
Barker Library - Reference Collection | TJ151.S785

What is the prevailing direction of wind in Omaha, NB?

What is the peak velocity of wind (mi/h) on Cincinnati, OH?

TOPIC: a human powered generator.

What is the amount of useful horsepower (t in min) that an average 60 year old male can produce?

ANSWER: Use Marks Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers. Think about the question, and use the TOC headings to narrow down. Chapter 9, Power Generation has a section on Muscle Generated Power. You can also search for “useful horsepower”.

hp=.30-.08 log t

Citation: Anonymous 2006, "Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers (11th Edition)," McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, New York, NY. page 9-4
Barker Library - Reference Collection | TJ151.S785

TOPIC: a frame to house an outdoor grill, common or building stones

What is the density of limestone (g/cm3)?

ANSWER: Try Knovel. Search for limestone density, see the Building Stones table in International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. Then search slate young’s modulus to find the same table but with slate information.

Use Mark’s Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers. Use TOC to find Chapter 6, Materials of Engineering. Section 6.8 Nonmetallic Materials. Look for the section on Natural Stones to find Table 6.8.10. The units are different (lb/ft3 and 10-6, lb/in2 ) so the units would need to be converted to g/cm3 and 1011 dyne/cm2

2.3-2.7

Citation:
Washburn, E.W. (1926 - 1930;2003). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology (1st Electronic Edition). in knovel: http://libraries.mit.edu/get/knovel

Anonymous 2006, "Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers (11th Edition)," McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, New York, NY. page 6-147
Barker Library - Reference Collection | TJ151.S785

What is Young’s Modulus (1011 dyne/cm2) for slate?

6-9

Anonymous 2006, "Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers (11th Edition)," McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, New York, NY. page 6-147
Barker Library - Reference Collection | TJ151.S785

TOPIC: an elevated hunting blind, looking for mechanical properties of wood

What is the Modulus of Rupture (kPa) for Birch, Paper at 12% moisture content?

ANSWER: Try Knovel. Search for “mechanical properties wood”. Find “Wood Handbook - Wood as an Engineering Material” chapter on mechanical properties of wood. Look through the PDF. Table 4.3a has this data.

85,000

Citation:
Forest Products Laboratory. Wood Handbook - Wood as an Engineering Material.. U.S. Department of Agriculture. In knovel: http://libraries.mit.edu/get/knovel

What is the compression parallel to grain (kPa) for Eastern Hemlock that is green?

21,200

Citation:
Forest Products Laboratory. Wood Handbook - Wood as an Engineering Material.. U.S. Department of Agriculture. In knovel: http://libraries.mit.edu/get/knovel

TOPIC: a bulldozer/earthmover, need to make sure it moves enough weight

What is the equation used to estimate the weight of a naturally piled substance on a rectangular plate?

Answer: Try Knovel. Search for “weight piles” to find Machinery’s Handbook. Any edition will do.

W=MRA^3

Citation:Oberg, Erik; Jones, Franklin D.; Horton, Holbrook L.; Ryffel, Henry H. (2012). Machinery's Handbook (29th Edition) & Guide to Machinery's Handbook.. Industrial Press.
In knovel: http://libraries.mit.edu/get/knovel

What is the Materials Factor (M) for Buckwheat? For Gravel?

Answer: Try Knovel. Search for “weight piles” to find Machinery’s Handbook. Any edition will do.

2.8-3.17, 6.8-13.18

TOPIC: lightweight portable food cooler, need to make sure it is cold enough for a variety of foods

What is the long term storage temperature (F) of milk?

ANSWER:Use Marks Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers. Think about the question, and use the TOC headings to narrow down. Chapter 19, Refrigeration, Cryogenics and Optics has a section on cold storage temperatures. You can also search for “storage temperature”. See Table 19.1.16.

34-36

Citation: 2Anonymous 2006, "Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers (11th Edition)," McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, New York, NY. page 19-22-19-23 or Table 19.1.16
Barker Library - Reference Collection | TJ151.S785

What is the freezing point of celery?

29.7

What is the short term storage temperature (oF) of fresh pork?

36-40

TOPIC: light weight camp stove, need fuel

What is the heat of combustion (low heat value, Btu/lb) for propane?

ANSWER: TUse Marks Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers. Think about the question, and use the TOC headings to narrow down. Chapter 4, Heat has a section on combustion. You can also search for “propane”. See Table 4.1.6.

19,944

Citation:Anonymous 2006, "Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers (11th Edition)," McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, New York, NY. Table 4.1.6
Barker Library - Reference Collection | TJ151.S785

What is the heat of combustion (high heat value, Btu/lb) for butane?

21,316

TOPIC: outdoor activities, want to make sure they aren’t too noisy. Check the noise levels and thresholds.

What is the typical noise level (dB) for a snowmobile?

ANSWER:Try Knovel. Search for noise thresholds. Find “Measure of Man and Woman”, table 11.1.3.

106-113

Citation: Tilley, Alvin R. (2002). Measure of Man and Woman - Human Factors in Design (Revised Edition).. John Wiley & Sons. In knovel: http://libraries.mit.edu/get/knovel

A quiet garden (db)?

ANSWER:Try Knovel. Search for noise thresholds. Find “Measure of Man and Woman”, table 11.1.3.

Citation: Tilley, Alvin R. (2002). Measure of Man and Woman - Human Factors in Design (Revised Edition).. John Wiley & Sons. In knovel: http://libraries.mit.edu/get/knovel

What is the average frequency (Hz) of a woman’s voice?

ANSWER:Try Knovel. Search for noise thresholds. Find “Measure of Man and Woman”, table 11.1.3.

256

Citation: Tilley, Alvin R. (2002). Measure of Man and Woman - Human Factors in Design (Revised Edition).. John Wiley & Sons. In knovel: http://libraries.mit.edu/get/knovel

Question 2:. You are trying to estimate the size of the market /understand the industry for your revolutionary new product, which…

GMID questions

…is a lightweight, climate controlled tent.
A1. Over the last five years, what are two key trends affecting the global camping market?
B1. Which countries constitute the largest regional markets for camping goods based on the number of campsites within their borders?

…is a very quiet, low decibel riding lawn mower.
A2. In 2011, sales of riding lawn mowers represented what percent of total value sales of lawn mowers in the U.S?
B2. What is the post-2008 trend for lawn mower sales in the US?

…is footwear designed to reduce impact on different types of terrain such as found in rain forests or on mountain trails.
A3. Ecotourists may be a prime market for your footwear. What was the annual rate of increase in ecotourism between 1990 and 2006?
B3. What countries are among the top ecotourism destinations?

…is a new design for a moveable frame beehive especially adapted for subtropical climates.
A4. What was the market size for honey in Argentina (retail value of pesos spent on honey) in 2008 and 2011?
B4. What was the market size for honey in the U.S. (retail value in US $) in 2008 and 2011?

IBISWorld questions

…is a lightweight, climate controlled tent.
A5. Camping equipment contributes what percent of the $8.9 bn revenue generated by sporting goods manufacturing (estimated for 2012)?
B5. How competitive is the sporting and camping goods manufacturing industry? Is it easy for new players to enter the industry?

…is a very quiet, low decibel riding lawn mower.
A6. It is estimated that lawn and outdoor equipment stores in the US will generate $5.3 bn in revenue during 2012. What segment of this market (as a percentage) will come from lawn mowers?
B6. What are two factors expected to affect the outlook for the lawn and outdoor equipment retailing industry over the next five years?

…is footwear designed to reduce impact on different types of terrain such as found in rain forests or on mountain trails.
A7. What product segments comprise the $1.8 bn U.S. footwear & shoe manufacturing industry (estimated for 2012)?
B7. Current performance of the US shoe manufacturing industry has been impacted by a shift to overseas production. Imports from overseas now account for what percent of domestic demand for shoes in the U.S.?

…is a new design for a moveable frame beehive especially adapted for subtropical climates.
A8. The U.S. beekeeping industry consists of five product and service categories. As of 2011, how is this product segmentation represented in percentage breakdown?
B8. The U.S. beekeeping industry consists of six major markets. As of 2011, what are these markets and what is the market segmentation in percentages?

SOURCES
For A1-4, B1-4use GMID – Global Market Information Database (http://libraries.mit.edu/get/euro)
For A5-8, B5-8 use IBIS World (http://libraries.mit.edu/get/ibisworld)

ANSWERS
A1. GMID. Search box at top right of page. Use the term <camping>. System will flash several possibilities but “camping” appears first. Result number3, “Camping gets a makeover…” is where to look. Trends appear in the first section: luxury camping (glampling), aging populations; appeal of Eastern Europe, and camping closer to home to save money. Last section of report, Future Outlook, also lists some trends.
B1. GMID. Search box at top right of page. Use the term <camping>. System will flash several possibilities but “camping” appears first. Result number 3, “Camping gets a makeover…” is where to look. Second section of report, “Destinations,” has a table of campsite numbers but the first paragraph also starts out: “…countries such as Russia, the US, France, UK, Japan and Germany represent by far the largest regional markets for campsites in terms of number of sites.”

A2. GMID. Search box at top right of page. Use the terms <lawn mowers U.S.>. The first item in the results is titled, “Gardening in the U.S.” Open that report and scroll down to paragraph 6 of the Trends section (where terms lawn mowers are highlighted), where it is stated: “…ride-ons represented just over half of value sales in 2011.”
B2. GMID. Search box at top right of page. Use the terms <lawn mowers U.S.>. The first item in the results is titled, “Gardening in the U.S.” Open that report and scroll down to paragraph 6 of the Trends section, where it is stated: “Current value sales fell by 8% in 2009, followed by a decline of 3% in 2010. Faced with tight budgets and an uncertain economy, many consumers put off buying a new mower. Even after growing by 5% in 2011, current value sales of lawn mowers were still well below their pre-recessionary (2008) levels.”

A3. GMID. Search box at top right of page. Use the term <ecotourism>. Open the first report, which is titled, “Ecotourism’s potential is still largely unexplored.” Scroll down to section 2, “Tourism grows bigger and greener,” where it is stated that ecotourism grew “at an annual pace of 20%-34% between 1990 and 2006.”
B3. GMID. Search box at top right of page. Use the term <ecotourism>. Open the first report, which is titled, “Ecotourism’s potential is still largely unexplored.” Scroll down to section 2, “Tourism grows bigger and greener,” where it is stated that, “The top players of the ecotourism market are Ecuador, Costa Rica, Belize, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, Nepal and Australia.”

A4. GMID. Search box at top right of page. Use the term <honey>. In the results, open the report titled “Market Sizes.” Country retail value of honey is listed; countries are grouped by regions.
Argentina: 2008, 41.2 mn pesos / 2011, 67.9 mn pesos.
B4. GMID. Search box at top right of page. Use the term <honey>. In the results, open the report titled “Market Sizes.” Country retail value of honey is listed; countries are grouped by regions.
United States: 2008, 303.5 mn US$ / 2011, 389.6 mn US$.

A5. IBISWorld. Search on <camping equipment> or search on <sporting goods>.
From results, open Athletic & Sporting Goods Manufacturing in the US - 33992a. Tab on Products & Markets. Scroll down to Products & Services box or choose from menu on tab. The graph there shows that 9.5% of product segment is camping equipment.
B5. IBISWorld. Search on <camping equipment>. (Could also search on <sporting goods>.)
From results, open Athletic & Sporting Goods Manufacturing in the US - 33992a. Tab on Competitive Landscape. Scroll to Basis of Competition or choose from menu on tab. Section indicates competition is HIGH. Scroll further down to Barriers to Entry, which indicates that barriers are high.

A6. IBISWorld. Search on <lawn mowers>. From results, open Lawn & Outdoor Equipment Stores in the US – 44421. Tab on Products & Markets. Scroll to Products & Services or choose from menu on tab. Graph there indicates 17% from riding lawn mowers and 20.5% from push lawn mowers. Total is 37.5%.
B6. IBISWorld. Search on <lawn mowers>. From results, open Lawn & Outdoor Equipment Stores in the US – 44421. Tab on Industry Outlook and browse report. First paragraphs include text on projected consumer growth, and two highlighted sections discuss effects of Home Improvement Stores (competition from big box stores) and consumer Focus on Green Machines (eco-smart products, etc.).

A7. IBISWorld. Search on <footwear> or search on <shoe>. From results, open Shoe & Footwear Manufacturing in the US – 31621. Tab on Products & Markets and scroll down to Products & Services or choose from menu on tab. The graph there shows a product segmentation of :
20.9% = Women’s footwear excluding athletics; 28.8% = Rubber and plastic footwear; 45.6% = Men’s footwear excluding athletics; 4.7% = Other footwear.
B7. IBISWorld. Search on <footwear> or search on <shoe>. From results, open Shoe & Footwear Manufacturing in the US – 31621. Tab on Industry Performance and scroll down to Current Performance or choose from menu on tab. Paragraph one states: “…cheap imports account for an estimated 95.5% of domestic demand.” Paragraph two states: “In 2007, foreign-made goods accounted for 93.3% of demand…” Either is okay.

A8. IBISWorld. Search on <beekeeping> or search on <honey>. From results, open Beekeeping in the US – 11291. Tab on Products & Markets. Scroll to Products & Services or choose from menu on tab. The graph there shows:
Honey = 56%, Pollination services = 37%, Live bees = 4%, Beeswax = 2%, and Other products = 1%.
B8. IBISWorld. Search on <beekeeping> or search on <honey>. From results, open Beekeeping in the US – 11291. Tab on Products & Markets. Scroll to Major Markets or choose from menu on tab. The graph there shows:
Cooperatives and private processors = 39.7%, Farmers = 34.2%, Retailers = 9.3%, Exports = 6.6%, Other = 6.5%, Apiculturists = 3.7%.

Question 3: You need to find a partner to help develop and commercialize your new product idea. An industry expert has suggested that COMPANY X, one of the largest TOPIC in the world and a publicly-owned company, might be a potential partner. Before contacting them, learn more about COMPANY X. Please indicate the database you used to get the information you used to answer this question.

i) Uncover the following facts about the company’s operations:

a) The year when the company was founded (or change of control)
b) The address of their US headquarters
c) Total # of employees worldwide
d) Latest revenue (sales) figures
e) Were they profitable last fiscal year? How much was their profit or loss? (Hint: Look for “Net Income” or “Total Net Income”)
f) The North American Industrial Classification (NAICS) code for their primary industry

ii) Find a news article about the company published in the past year. Provide a good citation for the article and include the name of the bibliographic database where you found the article.

ANSWER:
Go to course page. Look for “Researching Companies” tab.

Look for the box “Looking up a company” with databases on finding financials, addresses, etc on a company. Can use any, but Hoovers is recommended.
Look for box of databases “Finding news about a company”. Select a database and search. May need to sort results by publication date instead of relevance.

1. Winnebago Industries (manufacturer of recreational vehicles)

1958
605 W. Crystal Lake Rd.,Forest City, IA 50436, United States
2130
$496.42M
Yes, $11.84M net income; 10.44% sales growth
336213: Motor Home Manufacturing

2. Kirby Corporation (inland barge operator)

1987
55 Waugh Dr.,Ste. 1000 Houston, TX 77007, United States
2,900
$1.85B
Yes, $183.03M net income; 66.77% sales growth
483211: Inland Water Freight Transportation

3. Arctic Cat (all-terrain vehicles & snowmobile manufacturer)

1982
601 Brooks Ave. South,Thief River Falls, MN 56701, United States
1,396
$585.27M
Yes, $29.94M net income; 25.96% sales growth
336991: Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing

4. Puma, S.E. (footwear manufacturer)

1924
5 Liberty Way,Westford, MA 01886, United States
10,36
$3.9B
Yes, $298.34M net income; 8.64% sales growth
31621: Footwear Manufacturing

5. Brunswick Corporation (boatbuilder)

1845
1 N. Field Ct.,Lake Forest, IL 60045-4811, United States
15,356
$3.75B
Yes, $71.90M net income; sale growth 10.13%
336612: Boat Building

6. Griffin Land & Nurseries (plants and garden supplier)

1970
1 Rockefeller Plaza,New York, NY 10020, United States
103
$37.19M
No, ($2.47M) net income; 4.44% sales growth
444220: Nursery, Garden Center & Farm Supply Stores

7. Adams Golf, Inc. (golfing equipment manufacturer)

1987
42801 E. Plano Pkwy., Plano, TX 7507, United States
131
$96.5M
Yes, $14.46M
339920: Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing

8. Johnson Outdoors, Inc. (camping and outdoor equipment manufacturer)

1987
555 Main St.,Racine, WI 53403, United States
1,200
$407.42M
Yes, $32.64M; 6.53% sales growth
339920: Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing

Answer for ii. – Look at Researching Companies tab on libguide. 2nd box, Finding News about a company. Try Factiva or Business Source Complete.

Question 4: You would like to learn more about TOPIC, and you know that the right book can provide a good summary on this topic.

Find a general book on TOPIC, available in the MIT Libraries. Provide a good citation for the book, include the library call # at the end of the citation and which library has the item (Dewey, Rotch, Barker etc.). Also include if this book is available on the shelf (according to Barton) and include the day/time this was checked. Electronic books are allowed. If you select an electronic book, provide the Online Ed. URL and the service provider (Books24x7, netlibrary, GPO access, etc.).

TOPICS:
1 wilderness shelters
2 backpackng or hiking
3 parachuting
4 water harvesting
5 rock climbing
6 cycling
7 compost or composting
8 sailing

ANSWERS: use Barton to find books

To find more specific information, you want to read a scholarly article on the narrower topic of TOPIC. Find an English language journal article on this topic published in 2002-2012. Provide a good citation for the article, and include the bibliographic database you found the article citation in.

Does MIT have a subscription to this journal for the year that the article was published? If yes, in which library is it held?

1 inflatable shelters/structures
2 backpack load and its effect on gait
3 parachut materials
4 rainwater harvesting for crops
5 climbing ropes
6 bicycle brakes (not electronic bicycles)
7 year waste compost as fertilizer
8 sail performance in upwind conditions

ANSWERS: can be found in Compendex or maybe agricola

Question 5: You want to make sure your design or project idea is unique before you take it to a company or customer for production. Check the patent literature, and find one granted (not an application) United States technical patent for:

Teepee
Plow (farming, not snow)
Hiking stick
Picnic basket
Beehive warmer/heater
Beach umbrella with anchor (so it doesn’t blow away)
Ice fishing net
Portable toilet or restroom

What is the patent title?
What is the patent number? (Tip: numbers starting with D, e.g. D593812, are design patents, not technical patents. Numbers starting with the year, e.g. US20060201950, are applications, not granted patents)
Who is the assignee? The inventor?
Provide at least one classificatio code assigned to this patent (number and name, e.g., 446/486: Amusement Devices: Toys/Resilient toy or actuator?

ANSWER: Go to the Patents tab on the library course page, which directs you to the Patents research guide. Select any patent database and do a search, but it is helpful to learn more about patents by viewing the videos or reading the pages provided.

TIP: PatSnap, full view of the patent record, look down the left hand side to U.S. Classifications. You can also easily limit to granted patents using the left hand menu.

TIP: Google patents will link from the classification code to its place in the USPTO schedule to determine the name of the classification code