Ben Cartwright was quite a man. His sons each had a different mother, all three of whom old Ben had outlived. Most episodes involved various threats to the Ponderosa and the Cartwright's ingenuity and integrity eliminating those threats. The show is still alive in reruns and has one of the most recognizeable pieces of theme music and memorable opening credits in television history.
Bonanza is also the name of a chain of family restaurants. Their menu mostly consists of grilled steak and chicken items. These entrees come with an all-you-can-eat food bar. You can also just get an all-you-can-eat food bar, if you want. Many college students have been known to get a cheap meal this way.
Of course, that's not the first thing I associate with Bonanza. Actually, the first thing I associate with Bonanza is the fact that I was a victim of an armed robbery while working at one.
Bonanza was a rather poor HUMO lookalike by an overrated belgian TV production house called woestijnvis. They 'd better stuck with making TV shows.
They bought some editors from competing magazines, offering them the big money.
The market for this type of magazine was already saturated and people tend to be more loyal to a publication than a TV station. The magazine was in trouble before its first edition...
Update: on 20-aug-01 woestijnvis stopped with the magazine and has announced a colaboration with Mediaxis, the company that owns HUMO ... (if you can't beat them, join them)
The Bonanza (while more expensive than the Cessna 172, its primary competitor) is a very high-performance aircraft, reaching a maximum speed of 165 knots, compared to the Skyhawk's 128 knots. The Bonanza is actually safer and more reliable than the vaunted Skyhawk, but it doesn't have the Skyhawk's popularity and market share, because of the Bonanza's significantly greater expense.
One of the most interesting things about the Bonanza is that it comes in two very visibly different types: the straight tail, which has a normal aircraft's tail on the end, and V-tail, which, well, has a tail that terminates in a V-shape.
Most aircraft have a stabilizing tail in a T-shape, with the crossbar of the T either at the top of the tail or the bottom. The V-Tail Bonanza, on the other hand, has a V-shaped tail, without the crossbar. This allows the V-Tail Bonanza to accomplish with two surfaces what most aircraft must do with three, thus reducing weight and drag, as well as making manufacturing cheaper. It also looks really cool.
Unfortunately, the unique V-tail design requires a more complicated control system for the maneuvering surfaces, and creates far more stress on the tail than the T-tail design, leading to a significant number of Bonanzas breaking up in flight. Beech stopped manufacturing V-Tail Bonanzas in 1982, to the disappointment of many, but still manufactures straight-tail machines.
In 1985, Beechcraft released an upgrade kit to strengthen the Bonanza's airframe and control surfaces in order to compensate for the V-Tail's issues, and both types of Bonanza are known for having an even greater safety and reliability record than the Cessna 172.
Beech Aircraft Company Model 35 "Bonanza"
We chased lady luck, 'til we finally struck Bonanza. With a gun and a rope and a hat full of hope, planted a family tree. We got hold of a pot of gold, Bonanza. With a horse and a saddle, and a range full of cattle, how rich can a fellow be? On this land we put our brand, Cartwright is the name, fortune smiled, the day we filed the Ponderosa claim. Here in the West, we're livin' the best, Bonanza, if anyone fights any one of us, he's go a fight with me, Bonanza. Hoss and Joe and Adam know every rock and pine, no one works, fights, or eats, like those boys of mine. Here we stand in the middle of a grand Bonanza. With a gun and a rope and a hatful of hope, we planted our family tree, we got hold of a potful of gold, Bonanza. With a houseful of friends where the rainbow ends, how rich can a fellow be? On this land we put our brand, Cartwright is the name, fortune smiled, the day we filed the Ponderosa claim. Here in the west we're livin' the best Bonanza. With the friendliest, fightingist, loving band, that ever set foot in the promised land, and we're happier than them all. That's why we call it Bonanza...Bonanza...Bonanza...
Little Joe (solo): I've got a flair for women everywhere---Bonanza! Hoss (solo): Bonanza! (Barks and howls) Hoss, Joe and Ben: I'm not afraid of any pretty maid--Bonanza! Bonanza! But when I give a kiss to any little miss, She'll learn a lot from me. Ben (solo): I'm not afraid of any pretty maid--Bonanza! Hoss, Joe and Ben: Bonanza! When I give a kiss to any little miss She'll learn a lot from me Hair of brown, hair of gold I'll take what I see We're not a one to saddle up and run--Bonanza! Bonanza! Anyone of us who starts a little fuss Knows he can count on me One for four, four for all This we guarantee We got a right to pick a little fight--Bonanza! Bonanza! If anyone fights any one of us He's gotta fight with me!
Bo*nan"za (?), n. [Sp., prop. calm., fair weather, prosperity, fr. L. bonus good.]
In mining, a rich mine or vein of silver or gold; hence, anything which is a mine of wealth or yields a large income.
© Webster 1913.
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