Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video] • Hacker News Board

[deleted] wrote: post #4

stevep98 wrote: post #2

I went to school with Fred's Nephew! Fred was well known around the area as a steam-machine-tinkerer extraordinaire.

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Re: Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]

#6

Post by paulajohnson » Mon, Jun 29, 2015, 6:51 AM UTC

His idea of a holiday was to knock a chimney down in Blackpool in exchange for a new boiler while his family went to the beach.

Re: Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]

#7

Post by petepete » Mon, Jun 29, 2015, 7:24 AM UTC

I'm sure I shouldn't be spending my Monday morning watching this, but his enthusiasm is infectious. Also, the last thing I'd expect to see on HN, not that I mind.

Re: Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]

#8

Post by ablation » Mon, Jun 29, 2015, 7:30 AM UTC

An amazingly enthusiastic and talented man, and a wonderful/revealing snapshot of (mostly) northern England during the 70s.

Re: Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]

#9

Post by lamby » Mon, Jun 29, 2015, 7:45 AM UTC

I find it wasn't necessarily what he did (steam engines, chimneys, etc.) even though that was pretty interesting in itself, but his attitude and infectious enthusiasm.

Re: Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]

#10

Post by sooper » Mon, Jun 29, 2015, 7:49 AM UTC

ablation wrote: post #8

An amazingly enthusiastic and talented man, and a wonderful/revealing snapshot of (mostly) northern England during the 70s.

Truely. Self taught and brilliant at what he did.

Though I know the ending, I still get nervous watching him on the top of dodgy smokestacks with no safety equipment!