Posts tagged with "Wikipedia"

Rolls-Royce marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of co-founder Sir Henry Royce via 360 Magazine.

SIR HENRY ROYCE

(1863 – 1933)

DRIVEN BY PERFECTION

  • Rolls-Royce marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of co-founder Sir Henry Royce
  • A look back at his remarkable life and work reveals a driven, even obsessive character and a relentless work ethic forged in childhood poverty and frequent adversity
  • The quest for perfection extended to every aspect of Royce’s professional and personal life
  • His famous maxim “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better” still informs and inspires the company’s activities today

“Sir Henry Royce bequeathed to the world an extraordinary legacy of engineering innovation and achievement. He also left us, his successors at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, an unequivocal instruction: ‘Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better’. Sir Henry himself lived out this maxim in every aspect of his personal and professional life. Today, as we mark the 160th anniversary of his birth, his challenge still informs and inspires everything we do. It serves as a constant reminder that perfection is a moving target: it is never ‘done’. There is always something we can refine, adjust, rework, reinvent or innovate in our pursuit of perfection; and that is what makes our life and work here so exciting.”

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Sir Henry Royce’s uncompromising command, “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better” is one of the most famous quotations in automotive history. It is also a maxim that rings down the ages, and still inspires and informs the company that bears his name.

A LOT TO IMPROVE ON

As Rolls-Royce marks the 160th anniversary of Sir Henry’s birth, we look back at his remarkable life and career in search of the origins of his most celebrated and oft-repeated exhortation. What drove his own lifelong striving for perfection; and how did his relentless, some might say obsessive, desire to improve and refine manifest itself in both his work and domestic spheres?

Royce’s early life was one of hardship, poverty, and disadvantage. The youngest of five children, he was born in 1863 into a family in perilous financial circumstances. Matters worsened considerably when his father, a miller, was finally declared bankrupt and, under the law of the time, ended up in prison.

It was against this unpromising backdrop that Royce’s character was formed. Yet he was determined to make a better life for himself, and by the age of just 10 was working in London, first as a newspaper seller and later as a telegram delivery boy.

Things appeared to be moving his way when in 1879, with financial support from his aunt, he secured a coveted apprenticeship at the Great Northern Railway (GNR) workshops in Peterborough. Instantly and obviously in his element, his natural aptitude for design and innate skill with tools and materials quickly become apparent. One early indicator of his talent was a set of three miniature wheelbarrows he made in brass; these pieces clearly demonstrate the exemplary standard of workmanship and quest for excellence he would maintain throughout his life.

Royce’s drive for self-improvement came to an abrupt halt after two years, when his aunt was unable to pay his annual apprenticeship fee. Undaunted, Royce returned to London and, in 1881, began work at the fledgling Electric Lighting & Power Generating Company (EL&PG).

His decision to forsake traditional engineering for the emerging field of electricity was essentially a pragmatic one. Electricity was then so new it had no governing body or professional institutions, and thus no examinations to pass or standards to attain. Unlike in engineering, therefore, Royce’s lack of formal qualifications was no barrier to his progress.

His fascination for the subject, already formidable work ethic and commitment to study (he attended evening classes in English and Mathematics after work) meant that in 1882, the EL&PG, by now renamed the Maxim-Weston Electric Company, sent him to work for its subsidiary in Lancashire as First (Chief) Electrician, responsible for street and theatre lighting in the city of Liverpool. Yet again, however, circumstances conspired against him: through gross mismanagement in its acquisition of patents, the company abruptly went into receivership, and Royce, aged only 19, found himself unemployed once more.

TAKING CHARGE

Although the parent company of his erstwhile employer chose to salvage what it could rather than sell off the remaining resources, Royce had had enough. Impelled by his innate drive, clear appetite for (calculated) risk and the abundant self-assurance noted by his contemporaries, he started up in business on his own.

In late 1884, he founded F H Royce & Co (he was christened Frederick Henry) in Manchester. Initially producing small items such as battery-powered door bells, the company progressed to making heavy equipment such as overhead cranes and railway shunting capstans.

But while the business was thriving, Royce himself was not. By 1901, his years of overwork and a strained home life were taking a severe toll on his health, which had probably been fundamentally weakened by the privations of his childhood.

His doctor persuaded him to buy a De Dion quadricycle as a way to escape the office and enjoy some fresh air; but before long, Royce’s health collapsed. A major contributing factor was his growing concern that the company was heading into financial problems; something that would perhaps have had particular significance for him given his father’s experiences.

The company owed its dwindling fortunes to an influx of cheap, or at least cheaper, electrical machinery from Germany and the USA that was able to undercut Royce’s prices. Ever the perfectionist, Royce himself was not prepared to enter a race to the bottom or compromise the quality of his products.

Complete rest was required, and he was eventually persuaded to take a 10-week holiday to visit his wife’s family in South Africa. On the long voyage home, he read ‘The Automobile – its construction and management’. The book would change his life – and ultimately, the world.

MAKING THE BEST BETTER

On his return to England, Royce ­– now fully revitalised both mentally and physically – immediately acquired his first motor car, a 10 H.P. Decauville. Given the still-parlous state of his company’s finances, this might have seemed a frivolous squandering of precious funds; but in fact, this purchase was a shrewd and calculated one that, in his mind, held the key to the company’s future prosperity.

The story usually goes that this first car was so poorly made and unreliable that Royce decided he could do better. In fact, his holiday reading had already focused his mind on producing his own car from scratch; he had already supplied a limited number of electric motors for the ‘Pritchett and Gold’ electric car. So contrary to the received wisdom, he chose the Decauville precisely because it was the finest car available to him, in order to dismantle it and then, in his most famous phrase, “take the best that exists and make it better”.

He began by building three two-cylinder 10 H.P. cars based on the Decauville layout. That he was the only person who believed this new direction could save the company is another sign of his tenacity and self-belief. Just as importantly, his attention to detail in design and manufacture, accompanied by a continuous review of components after analysis, set the production template he would follow until his death.

These first examples were followed by the three-cylinder 15 H.P., four-cylinder 20 H.P. and six-cylinder 30 H.P. – each of which represented significant advances in automotive design. In 1906, two years after the founding of Rolls-Royce, Managing Director Claude Johnson persuaded Royce to adopt a ‘one model’ policy. In response, Royce designed the 40/50 H.P. ‘Silver Ghost’, the car that rightly earned the immortal soubriquet “the best car in the world”.

The Silver Ghost demonstrated Royce’s almost uncanny instinct for using the right materials for components, long before scientific analysis could provide reliable data. He also worked out that the properties of fluids alter with speed, so designed the Silver Ghost’s carburettor with three jets that came into play at different throttle openings, thereby eliminating ‘flat spots’.

HOME AND AWAY

By 1906 it was obvious that Rolls-Royce’s Cooke Street works in Manchester could no longer accommodate the company’s rapidly expanding motor car production. Rolls-Royce acquired a site on Nightingale Road in Derby, where Royce designed and oversaw the building of a brand-new, purpose-built factory. He undertook this enormous and technically complex task on top of his normal workload, and demanded his customary exacting standards from all concerned, not least himself.

Given the relentless volume and pace of his work, Royce’s second serious health crisis in 1911 came as little surprise. Rest was again prescribed, and during the summer and autumn, Johnson drove him on a road trip that extended as far as Egypt. On the return journey, they stopped in the south of France, where Royce took a strong liking for the tiny hamlet of Le Canadel, near Nice. Ever the man of action, Johnson bought a parcel of land and commissioned a new house for Royce, plus a smaller villa for visiting draughtsmen and assistants. Royce himself naturally took a keen interest in the building work, basing himself in a nearby hotel.

His health, however, remained fragile. After a relapse which led to emergency surgery in England, he returned to the now-finished house to recuperate. For the rest of life, he (very sensibly) spent his winters at Le Canadel and the summers in the south of England.

From 1917, his English residence was Elmstead, an 18th-Century house in the village of West Wittering on the Sussex coast, just eight miles from the present-day Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood. Elmstead had some adjoining land, where Royce resumed his long-standing interest in fruit farming. Inevitably, he brought his desire for perfection to this activity, too, and he quickly became a leading expert in many aspects of farming and horticulture.

His domestic life at Elmstead throws further light on his perfectionist nature, which focused his attention on even the smallest actions of others. For example, any aspiring cook would be employed only if they boiled potatoes in the ‘right’ way – just as an unfortunate labourer in the Cooke Street works was once admonished and shown how to use a broom correctly.

A REMARKABLE LEGACY

Whether he was designing car components or aircraft engines, Royce’s search for perfection never waned; yet even he acknowledged that it was, in fact, unattainable. His mantra for his drawing-office staff was ‘Rub out, alter, improve, refine’, and that process of constant improvement and development led to some of his greatest engineering achievements. Under his direction, the Buzzard aero engine built in 1927 with an initial output of 825 H.P. was transformed in just four years into the Schneider Trophy-winning ‘R’ engine that, in its final form, was capable of producing 2,783 H.P. And his outline design for a V12 engine would appear almost unaltered in the Phantom III of 1936, three years after his death. An instinctive, intuitive engineer, he was a firm believer that if something looked right, it probably was right. His extraordinary ability to assess components by eye alone proved infallible time and time again.

Royce’s tendency to overwork, often at the expense of his own health, was a symptom of his quest for perfection, and a will to achieve it forged in hardship and adversity. He was a highly driven – some might say obsessive – man who overcame many setbacks and misfortunes, and applied his meticulous engineer’s eye, inquisitive mind and relentless work ethic to every aspect of his life. And such is the power of his ethos and legend, they still inform and inspire the company that bears his name 160 years after his birth.

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Memphis hitmaker NLE Choppa joins forces with rap legend Lil Wayne for the blistering new single “Ain’t Gonna Answer” via 360 MAGAZINE.

NLE CHOPPA × LIL WAYNE

Memphis hitmaker NLE Choppa joins forces with rap legend Lil Wayne for the blistering new single “Ain’t Gonna Answer” Listen HERE and watch HERE. Packed with raucous energy, dizzying wordplay and boundless attitude, the collaboration is the latest taste of Choppa’s highly anticipated Cottonwood 2 album coming April 14th via NLE Entertainment/Warner Records. Pre-save the project HERE

“Tell me baby, what we doin’, what we doin’? Makin’ money,” the multi-platinum MC spits over driving percussion and frantic strings. “What they doin’ hatin’ on us? If they want it, take it from me.” Weezy then steps up to contribute one of his trademark spitfire verses. The hip-hop cohorts know exactly how to bring the party and “Ain’t Gonna Answer” is no exception. This banger was made to be blasted as loud as possible. 

The track arrives a matter of weeks after his hard-hitting anthem Mo Upfront,” the triumphant “Champions” and defiant “23.” Since topping Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart for a record-breaking 24 weeks in 2019, cracking the Billboard 200 top 10 with 2020’s Top Shotta, and earning a spot on last year’s Billboard 21 Under 21 list, his star has continued to rise.

Now, Choppa’s using his platform of over 35 million combined followers to inspire and advocate for the youth through his NLE Reading Challenge,” vegan & holistic lifestyle, and social activism. With “Ain’t Gonna Answer” and Cottonwood 2, Choppa is ready to take his place at the pinnacle of hip hop.

FOLLOW NLE CHOPPA:

Website | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Press Site | TikTok

Myke Towers releases new song mi droga via 360 magazine.

Myke Towers – Mi Droga

WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR “MI DROGA” HERE

Leading lyricist in Latin music, Myke Towers, releases long anticipated fourth studio album, LA VIDA ES UNA. This project finds the singer-songwriter reintroducing himself in a new era: swaying away from his grittier hoodgrown rap and bringing in new global genres in his 23-track commercial sequence. LA VIDA ES UNA also displays a confident Myke, one that graduated from various levels of the music industry – he is no longer the young teen that went viral on SoundCloud, he is an international star. On the album, he built the courage to release exploratory sounds that welcome body movement and dance as well as more “romantiqueo” (romanticism). To achieve this, Myke takes his listeners on a sonic journey through globalized music that includes Alt-pop, afrobeat, and reggae. 

“I’m at a level where I feel like I’m graduating and heading to a new level. This music is a refreshment that was needed.I made this album so I can sing with and to my fans.” Myke Towers

Coming off the heels of his recent releases “AGUARDIENTE” and “ULALA (OOH LA LA)” featuring Daddy Yankee, Towers drops the album along with a video for “MI DROGA”, a track with a guitar foundation and led by sharp, romantic strings. On it, Myke croons and raps to narrate the story of both his lust and the alluring characteristics of his romantic partner, like her independence and self-assurance.

LA VIDA ES UNA brings forth new tracks that will recenter Myke Towers since his hiatus: “I took a break, and it helped me focus on creating the right way. I had a lot of songs out, and I needed to take a step back because I want to be intentional with my releases, not for the sake of doing things,” he says. Throughout the years Myke has become one of the most in-demand rappers in the movement, and on this project he brings on titans of the industry such as, Arcangel, for “DON Y TEGO” where they give flowers to their favorite rappers and honor “Bandoleros” — an irreplaceable track that has become a classic and remains special to lyricists today. 

The Latin GRAMMY® nominated artist honors East Coast rap with “CAMA KING” alongside Chita and the reggae culture that birthed a plethora of sub-genres and movements with “FLOW JAMAICA.” Some diversified moments include the Alt-trap “EXTRA EXTRA” and the Play-N-Skillz-produced funk “SABADO.” He also dabbles in afrobeat like on “MUNDO CRUEL” for example, produced by Colombian reggaeton hitmaker Sky Rompiendo. These themes are also present on “CONOCERTE” featuring Ozuna.

“I wanted to challenge myself with this album. I took risks and tried new things – things I didn’t do in the past,”  notes Towers.

A collaborator among the genre’s biggest names, he’s worked with artists such as Bad Bunny, Wisin, Cardi B, Farruko, Maluma, Piso 21, Sech, Yandel, Anitta, Selena Gomez, Becky G, Amenazzy and Arcangel to name a few. LA VIDA ES UNA is a sequenced project by Myke since 2021’s LYKE MIKEwhich dropped on the heels of his EP, Para Mi Ex, in which he wrapped the decade, surprising fans with hit tracks “Explícito,” “Extasy,” “Mi X,” and the focus track “Bandido” alongside artist, Juhn. This followed his 2020 critically acclaimed sophomore album Easy Money Babywhich debuted at number #1 and has garnered over a billion streams combined alongside being certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA. Certifications also include “La Playa” (6x Platinum), “Diosa” (7x Platinum), “La Playa Remix” (3x Platinum), “Si Se Da” (11x Platinum), “Si Se Da Remix” (13x Platinum) and “Girl” (5x Platinum). 

With LA VIDA ES UNA, Myke Towers illustrates an assertive and festive Myke, one who is ready to reach a wider scope of listeners. This era of Myke’s artistry wants to bring good vibes, joy, dance, and love through desirable tracks. 

ED SHEERAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY ANNIE LEIBOVITZ via 360 MAGAZINE.

Ed Sheeran – Eyes Closed

Global superstar Ed Sheeran has returned with a brand new song “Eyes Closed” – the lead single off of his forthcoming album “ – “ (pronounced Subtract) – alongside its official video (listen here / watch here).

Ed originally wrote “Eyes Closed” a few years back. Starting out as a break-up song, the lyrics took on a whole new meaning after Ed suffered heartbreaking loss which led him to revisit the track for “ – “. One of the most pop-leaning sonics on his highly anticipated new record, “Eyes Closed” captures the essence of love and loss, which is also reflected in the official video. Directed by Mia Barnes, we see Ed on a night out being followed by a blue monster – serving as a metaphor for grief, Ed is unable to shake it, wherever he goes, reminding him of the void that’s left in his life.

Speaking of the new song and the video, Ed says – “This song is about losing someone, feeling like every time you go out and you expect to just bump into them, and everything just reminds you of them and the things you did together. You sorta have to take yourself out of reality sometimes to numb the pain of loss, but certain things just bring you right back into it.

When I was thinking of concepts for the Eyes Closed music video, I wanted to make a video inspired by movies like Harvey, where the main character has an imaginary friend who’s a giant rabbit that no one can see. There’s also a book I read my daughters where sadness is encapsulated by an imaginary creature. Often sadness is something that follows you around, engulfing the rooms you’re in, and you can feel and see it, but no one else around you can. So I decided to create my own big blue monster for the video. He gets bigger and bigger as the video goes on, til he takes up whole rooms, and is all I can see, just like sadness.”

Ed’s soul-baring, new album “ – “ will be released on May 5 via Atlantic Records and is available for pre-order here now. Written against a backdrop of grief and hope, Ed wrote and recorded the fourteen-track record with Aaron Dessner (of The National) in February last year after a series of hard-hitting events impacted his life.

Ed is currently featured on the April cover of Rolling Stone in the U.S. and 14 other countries around the world as the magazine’s global cover star. In one of his most revealing interviews to date, Ed opens up about the most tumultuous period of his life that ultimately inspired the songwriting for “ – “. Given an early listen to the music, Rolling Stone’s Brian Hiatt writes, “With Sheeran’s new album…he’s in sudden danger of achieving a new brand of musical coolness, thanks to some of his most unadorned and emotive songwriting.” Read the full story here.

Announced earlier this week, his all-new, four-part documentary ‘Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All” will be streaming on Disney+ starting May 3. Blending never-before-seen personal archive, interviews and performances, the intimate documentary explores how his personal experiences have shaped him to become the artist he is today. Watch the emotional, official trailer here.

Ed is currently in midst of his worldwide “+ – = ÷ x Tour” (pronounced “The Mathematics Tour”). The North American leg hits stadiums across the continent for the first time since his history-making “Divide Tour” in 2018, which officially became the most-attended and highest-grossing tour of all time by its completion. Dates begin on May 6th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, before wrapping up on September 23rd at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, CA (see attached itinerary). Ed closed 2022 topping Billboard’s Top Ticket Sales chart after wrapping the UK/European leg of the “+ – = ÷ x Tour,” performing in front of over 3 million people in 6 months, highlighted by a five-night stand at London’s Wembley Stadium.

 FOR MORE ON ED SHEERAN:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

Photo: ANNIE LEIBOVITZ

Donnie Walhberg releases new episode of VERY SCARY PEOPLE on discovery+ via 360 MAGAZINE.

WAHLBERG – VERY SCARY PEOPLE

DONNIE WAHLBERG STARS IN A CHILLING NEW SEASON
OF VERY SCARY PEOPLE ON INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY

–New Episodes Premiere Sunday, April 16 at 9/8c on ID–

VERY SCARY PEOPLE, hosted and executive produced by Donnie Wahlberg, returns for a new season next month on its new home Investigation Discovery, the leading true crime network. Through in-depth interviews and incredible archival footage, each two-hour episode of VERY SCARY PEOPLE will offer unprecedented and comprehensive insight into not only the twisted crimes of these individuals, but a glimpse into their background, possible motives, psyche and the investigations that subsequently brought them all to justice. Featuring local authorities and journalists who investigated and covered the cases, as well as interviews with those close to both the victims and the killers, each episode of VERY SCARY PEOPLE will offer an expansive look into some of society’s most evil minds. New episodes of VERY SCARY PEOPLE will premiere Sunday, April 16 at 9/8c on ID and will be available to stream the same day on discovery+. All previous seasons of VERY SCARY PEOPLE are available to stream now on discovery+.

“I could not be more excited for a new season of VERY SCARY PEOPLE to air on Investigation Discovery,” said Wahlberg. “With each episode, we bring new insights into the lives of terrifying criminals to create awareness and hope this knowledge helps prevent similar crimes from happening in the future.”

“With an impressive background of work in the true crime space, Donnie Wahlberg has become one of the most trusted faces for fans of the genre,” said Jason Sarlanis, President of Turner Networks, ID and HLN, linear and streaming. “And as the leader in true crime television, we at ID are delighted to become the new home of ‘Very Scary People’ and welcome Donnie to our family of first-rate storytellers known to be the most credible, passionate and knowledgeable in the business.”

The season premiere of “The Trailside Killer” on Sunday, April 16 at 9/8c on ID focuses on serial killer David Carpenter. From 1979 to 1981, Carpenter terrorized Northern California’s typically tranquil hiking trails, shocking the quiet community surrounding them with his cold-blooded violence and led local authorities on a twisted and challenging investigation to bring him to justice. The new season of VERY SCARY PEOPLE also digs into some of the most diabolical individuals of the past few decades, including: Larry Hall, the American murderer and rapist whose true nature was exposed by drug smuggler turned F.B.I. informant James Keene; the Times Square Killer, Richard CottinghamThe Happy Face Killer, Keith JespersonJohn Robinson, the internet’s first serial killer who dubbed himself the “Slavemaster;” and Judy Buenoano, a deadly Black Widow lurking behind the facade of nurse, wife and mother.

Follow ID social on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for exclusive videos, articles and conversations around the series. Engage on social using #VeryScaryPeople.

VERY SCARY PEOPLE is produced for ID by HLN.

About INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY (ID)

Investigation Discovery (ID) is the leading crime network on television, delivering the highest-quality programming to approximately 80 million U.S. households. Viewers can enjoy their favorite shows anytime, anywhere on discovery+, the definitive non-fiction, real-life subscription streaming service. ID’s true-crime programming is also available via the network’s aggregated TV Everywhere offering, IDGO, where fans can access thousands of episodes from the Discovery family of networks. For exclusive web content and bonus material, fans can follow ID on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook or check out the network’s true crime blog, CrimeFeed. Investigation Discovery is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, a leading global media and entertainment company available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages whose portfolio also includes Discovery Channel, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HBO Max, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies and others.

Global Business Hit Hard by Rising Energy Costs

Zurich, Switzerland: Research shows that businesses around the world remain concerned about the impacts of energy security and prices, which could be a catalyst for a range of environmental, social, and economic ripple effects. According to the ABB Energy Insights survey 1 of 2,300 leaders from small and large businesses across a range of sectors, 92 percent of respondents feel that the continuing instability of energy is threatening their profitability and competitiveness. Energy costs and insecurity are having a significant impact on the workforce with decreased investment in employees. Business leaders are also concerned about potential impacts on them meeting their sustainability targets.

Restricting business investment and growth

Rising energy costs and security are forcing business leaders to rethink how they operate and where they invest in their businesses, to stay competitive, let alone grow. The key impacts on businesses due to rising energy costs in the last year include lower profit margins (34 percent) and cuts to spending in some areas (34 percent), leading to a shift away from investment in R&D and other business growth initiatives. Over a third (38 percent) have or plan to reduce technology investment, while a third (33 percent) expect to cut spending on infrastructure and 31 percent foresee a decline in marketing spend.

Impact on employees

Businesses say they have reduced investment in their workforce in the last year because of increased energy costs and the need to implement mitigation measures and expect this to continue over the next three to five years. Three of the top five business areas highlighted for budget reductions are related to the workforce: 42 percent will spend less on recruitment; 38 percent will decrease spending on salaries, overtime and bonuses; and 37 percent will reduce investment in staff training and development.

Delaying decarbonization

Respondents further cite concerns that energy pricing and insecurity could delay progress on climate change, with carbon reduction commitments considered less of a priority than reducing energy costs. Over half (58 percent) of business leaders surveyed said the cost of energy could delay achieving their sustainability and carbon reduction targets by anywhere from one to five years. While reducing energy costs is the top priority for 61 percent of companies, only 40 percent are currently prioritizing reducing carbon emissions.

Energy security

83 percent of business leaders express concern about the security of their business’s energy supply, and many are taking action to address energy insecurity and fluctuating energy prices. Over a third (36 percent) are worried about further rises in energy costs, 31 percent are concerned by power cuts and blackouts, and a quarter by energy rationing. In response, 34 percent have already put in place energy efficiency measures and 40 percent are looking to install on-site renewable energy generation to become less dependent on the grid.

Morten Wierod, President, ABB Electrification, said:

Businesses say they need to insulate themselves from energy prices and insecurity and are re-evaluating current and future spending plans. Taking action to mitigate this is a clear priority, but this doesn’t have to be a catalyst for potential workforce or environmental impacts. Investing in smart and sustainable on-site renewables and energy efficiency technology means businesses can simultaneously cut costs and reduce their emissions. With the right approach, it is possible for industry to achieve cost savings without sacrificing competitiveness, workforces or the journey to decarbonization.

Taking action

While businesses want to take concrete actions to address energy challenges, a third are being put off by the perceived cost of implementing energy efficiency measures, and almost half (49 percent) feel they don’t have the know-how or resources to proceed.

Much of the technology that can help businesses – large or small – to optimize their energy management and reduce costs, is already widely available and at a reasonable cost. For example, at a telecoms HQ in Hanoi, smart building technology reduced energy costs by 20 percent, while retrofitting hardware and using energy management solutions at an ABB factory in Italy has led to 30 percent energy savings.

To find out more about how ABB and our customers are collaborating to mitigate energy challenges, visit Sustainability in Electrification. Businesses can also join the ABBEnergy Efficiency Movement–a global forum of over 300 organizations sharing ideas and solutions that can help industry lower costs, mitigate energy challenges and accelerate climate action.

Louis Vuitton’s High Watchmaking via 360 MAGAZINE.

Louis Vuitton’s High Watchmaking

Louis Vuitton presents a selection of the Maison’s most exceptional timepieces at the pinnacle of watchmaking savoir-faire and creativity. By bringing together the most experienced specialists to express their incomparable savoir-faire at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton in Switzerland, the Maison pursues its quest for excellence in the art of high-end watchmaking.

Tambour Opera Automata

It pays tribute to the Sichuan Opera’s Bian Lian, and the virtuoso decoration of this specific watch presents a traditional mask that comes to life and changes expression on demand. This “art of changing masks” characteristic of the Sichuan Opera is a major source of inspiration for the Tambour Opera Automatic Watch. During the opera, the performers can put on up to twenty different masks in a fraction of a second, revealing their wide range of expressions. Each has their own technique for making these painted silk figures appear and disappear with a quick hand gesture or a graceful fanning motion. In the 21st century, very few actors still master the ancient art of Bian Lian. To transpose this mysterious interplay of faces to a watch case, for two years, Louis Vuitton enlisted the help of the greatest contemporary craftsmen Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, alongside Master Enameller Anita Porchet and Master Engraver Dick Steenman. This caliber LV 525, totaling 426 components, has a power reserve of 100 hours and five animations. When the latch is pushed, the engraved pink gold dragon’s head rises to reveal the jumping hours inscribed on the forehead of the Bian Lian, while its tail indicates the retrograde minutes. The mask’s expression changes dramatically – its eyebrows frown, its eyelid closes over its left eye, and the pupil of its right eye retracts to reveal a pointed Monogram flower. Going from joy to sadness through the movement of its chin, the Bian Lian mask expresses a wide range of emotions.

Tambour Fiery Heart Automata

Louis Vuitton’s High Watchmaking via 360 MAGAZINE.
Louis Vuitton’s High Watchmaking via 360 MAGAZINE.

Louis Vuitton presents its first in-house self-winding automatic movement and first enamel dial with the feminine Tambour Fiery Heart Automata timepiece. Under the candy-bright hues and alluring textures of an engraved grand feu enamel dial, this watch features a rose motif with entwined thorny vines. At the push of a button at the 8 o’clock position, the Tambour Fiery Heart Automata blooms; at 9 o’clock, a flaming heart emblazoned with “SWEET” unveils; and at 12 o’clock, “SWEET BUT FIERCE” appears. This timepiece features five separate dial elements, rotating roses, gold tongues that simulate real flames, caliber LFT 325, horny rosestems in pink-gold, a 18K pink-gold rotor, a dial-side automata, and 65 hours of movement power reserve. Beauty emerges, refined and transcendent, from the crucible of horological knowledge and combined expertise at Louis Vuitton. The Tambour Fiery HeartAutomata is the multi-layered result of the Madison’s Approach to fine watchmaking, now elevated to unprecedented levels in all 169 years of Louis Vuitton history.

Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon

Louis Vuitton’s High Watchmaking via 360 MAGAZINE.
Louis Vuitton’s High Watchmaking via 360 MAGAZINE.

The final novelty is a true demonstration of the Maison’s craftsmanship and expertise, featuring the two new Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon “Poinçon de Genève,” in fluorescent green or yellow, completing the color palette of this exceptionally transparent family of watches.

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow released via 360 MAGAZINE.

Black Arrow

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveils Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow to mark the end of production of one of the most transformative motor cars in the marque’s history. This Bespoke masterpiece, limited to just 12 examples worldwide, is also the last V12 coupé Rolls-Royce will ever make as it embarks on its bold new electric era and all 12 cars have already been allocated to clients around the world. While delivery of both Wraith and Dawn commissions to the United States concluded in 2022, these twelve commissions have already found homes in other countries across the globe. 

WRAITH: A CULTURAL ICON

Launched in 2013, Wraith is one of the most important and influential models ever designed and built at Goodwood. More performance-focused than its predecessors Phantom and Ghost, Wraith fundamentally altered perceptions of Rolls-Royce and brought new, younger customer groups to the brand for the first time. Its wider cultural significance is underlined by countless references to the Wraith in music, cinema, art, and fashion.

THE V12 CONNECTION

Wraith’s dramatic ‘fastback’ silhouette signaled the motor car’s dynamic intent, which was further amplified in 2016, with the introduction of Black Badge Wraith: a potent, subversive, and even more powerful expression of this transformative motor car, offering some of the highest levels of performance ever achieved by a V12-powered Rolls-Royce. 

When considering how best to mark the end of the Wraith era, Goodwood’s designers and engineers took inspiration for the Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow Collection from an equally significant V12 in Rolls-Royce‘s long and storied legacy. In 1938, Captain George Eyston – whose bold, brave endeavors encapsulate the Black Badge spirit – set a world land speed record of 357.497 mph (575.335 km/h) with Thunderbolt, a seven-ton, eight-wheeled leviathan equipped with two Rolls-Royce V12 ‘R’ Series aero engines.

Thunderbolt’s record attempts took place on the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Against the glare of the brilliant white surface, and under a blazing desert sun, the reflections from the car’s polished aluminum body made it almost impossible to tell precisely when it passed the timing equipment. Eyston’s simple but ingenious solution was to paint a large black arrow on the car’s sides, incorporating a yellow central circle motif that could be seen clearly even at high speed. This is what gives today’s Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow Collection both its name and unique historical context. 

V12 LEGACY FASCIA

To commemorate Rolls-Royce’s last-ever V12 coupé, the marque’s Bespoke Collective of designers, craftspeople, and engineers collaborated to create a unique artwork for Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow’s fascia. The intricate, tactile design skillfully depicts the contemporary V12 engine in Wraith. In keeping with the Black Badge family’s noir ambience, the highly complex design – itself the product of two months of development – is engraved in a single sheet of black-coated aluminum to reveal the gleaming metal beneath, providing a bold visual link to Thunderbolt’s polished aluminum body.  

RECORD CONSTELLATION  

Given Thunderbolt’s record-breaking status, it is only fitting that Black Arrow incorporates a record of its own. Casting a dramatic night’s-sky ambience over the interior suite, Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow’s Bespoke Starlight Headliner incorporates 2,117 fiber-optic ‘stars’ – the greatest number ever seen in a Rolls-Royce motor car. All individually arranged by hand, the ‘stars’ depict the Milky Way as seen from vast open spaces, and the constellations precisely as they would have appeared over the Salt Flats in Utah on 16 September 1938, the date of Eyston’s final, immutable record. 

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow released via 360 MAGAZINE.
Rolls-Royce Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow released via 360 MAGAZINE.
Rolls-Royce Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow released via 360 MAGAZINE.
Rolls-Royce Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow released via 360 MAGAZINE.

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HGTV host Lauren Makk on the cover of 360 MAGAZINE, captured by Vaughn Lowery. Shot on location at AllSaints NYC flagship store.

EDGY FASHION

Unconventional + Different

With over 25 years as a highly successful model and spokesperson, Vaughn Lowery utilizes his vast experience within the fashion industry to creatively capture introspective moments with his subjects.

Lowery has worked alongside and assisted various notable shutterbugs: Tyren Redd, Elton Anderson, Ron Contarsy, Jeffrey Langlois, Catherine Asanov, and James Hicks.

Vaughn‘s works have been globally featured on various covers for 360 and within its pages. Now available on Amazon.com and BN.com

Vaughn Lowery, president of 360 MAGAZINE, now is one of the edgy fashion magazine’s leading photographers. Wardrobe: jacket by AllSaints, sweater by H&M, and watch by Armitron.
Vaughn Lowery, president of 360 MAGAZINE, now is one of the edgy fashion magazine’s leading photographers. Wardrobe: jacket by AllSaints, sweater by H&M, and watch by Armitron.
Amazon's 'Making the Cut' Esther Perbandt photographed by Vaughn Lowery for 360 MAGAZINE on location in Berlin, Germany.
Amazon ‘Making the Cut’ Esther Perbandt photographed by Vaughn Lowery for 360 MAGAZINE on location on Berlin, Germany.
Amazon 'Making the Cut' Esther Perbandt photographed by Vaughn Lowery for 360 MAGAZINE on location on Berlin, Germany.
Amazon ‘Making the Cut’ Esther Perbandt photographed by Vaughn Lowery for 360 MAGAZINE on location on Berlin, Germany.
Photographer Vaughn Lowery shoots beauty editorial f/ new face Kaden Olivier for 360 MAGAZINE.
Photographer Vaughn Lowery shoots beauty editorial f/ new face Kaden Olivier for 360 MAGAZINE.
Fashion model Kaden Olivier in AllSaints leather trench for 360 MAGAZINE. Photographed in NYC at Civilian Hotel rooftop by Vaughn Lowery.
New Face Kaden Olivier photographed by Vaughn Lowery for 360 MAGAZINE fashion editorial, wearing Calvin Klein underwear.
New Face Kaden Olivier was photographed by Vaughn Lowery for 360 MAGAZINE editorial, wearing Calvin Klein underwear.
HGTV host Lauren Makk on the cover of 360 MAGAZINE, captured by Vaughn Lowery. Shot on location at AllSaints NYC flagship store.
HGTV TV personality Lauren Makk on the cover of 360 MAGAZINE, captured by Vaughn Lowery. Shot on location at AllSaints NYC flagship.
HGTV host Lauren Makk photographed by Vaughn Lowery for 360 MAGAZINE.
HGTV host Lauren Makk photographed by Vaughn Lowery for 360 MAGAZINE.
New Face Courtney Davis shot by Vaughn Lowery for 360 MAGAZINE fashion editorial.
New Face Courtney Davis photographed by Vaughn Lowery for 360 MAGAZINE fashion editorial.
New Face Courtney Davis photographed by Vaughn Lowery for 360 MAGAZINE fashion editorial.
New Face Courtney Davis photographed by Vaughn Lowery for 360 MAGAZINE fashion editorial.
Fashion merchandiser Armon Hayes photographed by Vaughn Lowery for 360 MAGAZINE.
Fashion merchandiser Armon Hayes photographed by Vaughn Lowery for 360 MAGAZINE. Upcycled denim jacket: Bridge&Tunnel. Leather vest: AllSaints.
NBC Celebrity PRANK WARS with Kevin Hart and Nick Cannon via 360 MAGAZINE.

CELEBRITY PRANK WARS

E! PULLS OFF THE ULTIMATE GAG AS ‘CELEBRITY PRANK WARS,’ HOSTED AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY KEVIN HART AND NICK CANNON, PREMIERES THURSDAY, APRIL 6 AT 10 P.M. ET/PT.

CLICK HERE FOR A SNEAK PEEK 

Kevin Hart and Nick Cannon take their famous friendly feud to the next level with E!’s hilarious new competition series “Celebrity Prank Wars,” premiering Thursday, April 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.  

It’s an all-out war as one celebrity pranks another, and the payback begins. Each episode will feature celebrities planning and perpetrating some of the wildest and most viral pranks on each other, as hosts Nick Cannon and Kevin Hart choose one winner of the Prank War. Celebrities are always trying to up the ante as each prank is more elaborate than the next – all of them with unexpected twists, embarrassing situations and shocking reveals. Celebrities would be smart to stay on high alert with these pranksters in town!   

Celebrity participants include: Anthony Anderson, Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Lil Duval, Big E, Fantasia, Tiffany Haddish, Taraji P. Henson, Lil Jon, Kofi Kingston, Ludacris, Joel McHale, Killer Mike, Chance The Rapper, T-Pain, Robin Thicke, T.I. and Xavier Woods.  

“Celebrity Prank Wars” is produced by Hartbeat and NCredible with Kevin Hart, Nick Cannon, Kevin Healey, Luke Kelly-Clyne, Mike Stein, Bryan Smiley, Thai Randolph, Jeff Clanagan, Michael Goldman and Ben Sumpter serving as Executive Producers.