Kids Encyclopedia

Bedbug — Bedbugs (or bed bugs) are small nocturnal insects of the family Cimicidae that live by hematophagy, that is by feeding on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded hosts. The common bedbug (Cimex lectularius) is the best adapted to human environments. It is found in temperate climates throughout the world and has been known since ancient times. Other …

Bark Beetle — A bark beetle is one of approximately 220 genera with 6,000 species of beetles in the subfamily Scolytinae in the weevil family Curculionidae (traditionally the bark beetles were placed in their own family Scolytidae). The best known European species (since they transmit Dutch Elm Disease are in the type genus Scolytus. Bark beetles are so-named because the …

Ants — Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related families of wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. They are a diverse group of more than 12,000 species, with a higher diversity in the tropics. They are known for their highly organized colonies and nests, which sometimes consist of millions of individuals. Individuals …

Karl Benz — The first automobile was built by Karl Benz (1886; Germany). A one-cylinder internal-combustion engine propelled this three-wheeler at 13 km/h (8 mph). Karl Friedrich Benz, for whom an alternate French spelling of Carl is used occasionally, (November 25, 1844, Karlsruhe, Germany – April 4, 1929, Ladenburg, Germany) was a German engine designer and mechanical engineer, generally regarded …

M.G. TC Midget — The M.G. TC Midget (1947; England) had a 4-cylinder, overhead-valve, twin-carburetor, 1,250-cc engine, running board, and wire-spoke wheels. The MG T series of cars (including the TA, TB, TC, TD, and TF) was a basic body-on-frame sports car produced from 1936 through to 1955. It was replaced by the MGA. The TC was the first postwar …

Jaguar XKE Coupe — The Jaguar XKE coupe (1961; England) was a high-speed, sleek sports car powered by a 6-cylinder, 265-hp, 3.8 liter engine. The Jaguar E-type or XK-E is an automobile manufactured by Jaguar between 1961 and 1974. The E-type revolutionised sports car design, with performance, handling and looks ahead of its time. It was priced well below competing …

Hispano-Suiza — Hispano-Suiza open touring car (1920-30; France) had a light-alloy, 6-cylinder engine and the first servo-assisted 4-wheel brakes. Hispano-Suiza was an originally Spanish and then Spanish-French automotive and engineering firm (actually, from 1923 on, two different companies) best known for their cars, engines (including world famous aviation engines) and weapons designs in the pre-World War II period. Today they …

Ford V8 Roadster — The Ford V8 Roadster was developed to meet the increasing consumer demand for more speed and comfort. Ford was the first company to introduce the one-piece V-8 engine block. The Model B was a new Ford automobile produced in model year 1932. It was an updated version of the Model A and remained largely unchanged until …

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL — The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL coupe (1953; Germany) had “gullwing” doors that opened upward and a 6-cylinder, 175-hp engine with fuel injection The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a series of luxury automobiles. SL, meaning “Sport Light”, or in German, Sport Leicht, first appeared on the 1954 300SL ’Gullwing’ so named because of its upward-opening passenger doors. The Mercedes-Benz …

Ford Mustang — The Ford Mustang (1964; United States) was so popular that over one million cars had been sold within two years of its introduction. The Ford Mustang is an automobile produced by the Ford Motor Company, originally based on the Ford Falcon compact. The first production Mustang rolled off the assembly line in Dearborn, Michigan on March 9, …