Tunnel boring machine name contest
Concise names make life easier. We could simply call the tunnel boring machine, which will excavate the accelerator tunnel for the European XFEL, just “tunnel boring machine with a liquid-based mixshield”. Yet a more friendly name for the 500 ton and 71 metre long metal earth worm would make the underground construction works far more pleasant.
Therefore, the “Hamburger Abendblatt” invites its readers, to participate creatively in the tunnel construction. Name suggestions for the tunnel borer are sought by June 24th 2010. The name should sound female and should be an acronym of a term related to the project. For instance, the borer of the new underground line U4 in Hamburg has been christened “VERA” – as an acronym of “Von der Elbe zur Alster” (from Elbe to Alster, the two rivers that lie between the tunnel.)
The price offered is worth some thoughts: The winner (and three persons above the age of 16 of his/her choice) will be invited to watch the borer in action. In addition, the winner and an accompanying person can attend the christening ceremony on June 30th.
Please send your proposal (keyword: Tunnelbohrer) together with your name, address and phone number to lokales@abendblatt.de. The deadline is June 24th.