Inspiration Video
The video on the Internet was unassuming. It showed an elderly gentleman trying to catch a series of falling batons, and missing them all. The video did, however, catch Einida's attention.
"Viktor, we simply must build this device. I think it would be of great benefit to all of our slow-minded minions around here," said Einida.
"I agree. I think it should be easy enough to make, but we do need more details? What is this device called? From whence does it originate? What are its mechanical parts?," Viktor said.
"Then, I challenge you to a Research Duel!" Einida said.
(A Research Duel occurs when two highly-trained research professionals pursue the same data target. Whoever gets the most information about the data target wins. No holds are barred in the research. No database or corner of the Internet is off limits.)
And so the challenge began. Viktor set the timer and he and Einida began the duel.
Einida remembered seeing a mechanical version of the falling batons, many years ago, on a travel show, and so she pursued that lead. The show led her to the name of a Dutch town and in turn to a museum located there. The museum's website was unhelpful. Her subsequent investigation of the history of Dutch toys and games led her down a tulip-scented rabbit hole.
Similar mechanical device As Seen on Rick Steve's Europe Season 8 The Netherlands: Beyond Amsterdam time stamp 20:36
Meanwhile, Viktor concluded that the original video looked like it was shot somewhere in Asia. He did image matching from the stills in the video and when he found a website that had the image, he translated the characters, hoping to find a name.
Einida was pleasantly distracted by the history of sjoelbak (a form of shuffleboard). She tracked down the origin of Crokinole, which is a Canadian, rather than Dutch, dexterity game. After that, she got wholly distracted by a game called, "Aunt Sally," a cricket hybrid, where one hurls a stick at a target balanced on another stick. This too was not Dutch.
"Hmmm, that looks like loads of fun...and so simple to build...," she muttered to herself." Suddenly she looked at her watch and said, "Egads! I'm running out of time!"
She abandoned that research vector and aqgain studied the original video. Then she came to the same conclusions as Viktor and frantically tried a number of different search terms, looking for a lead.
At that same moment, Viktor found the characters which showed up on more than one webpage bearing had images of the device. "Ha ha! ...眼疾手快游戏摆摊...'Quick of eye and deft of hands' - That is the it is the phrase which unlocks the secret!"
He hit the timer stop button and shouted, "It is done. I have found it. I am the winner!"
"What did you find? What is the device called?" asked Einida.
He thrust his finger in the air and announced, "It appears to be known as 'Quick Eyes, Fast Hands,' and enjoys no small degree of popularity in China. The device is a popular weekend attraction, exhibited in the local markets. An element of betting might also be attached to it."
He continued, "Anyway, I now have enough photos and video to really get a thorough understanding of this project." Then, he gleefully rubbing his hands together he added, "I would ask what you found in your research, but it seems you were on the same path as I, albeit an hour behind."
Einida smirked and said, "You know that reading about historical games is one of my weaknesses and I was indeed thrown off the scent by that vector, Viktor. But I now know even more about that subject and shall surely defeat you in any future 'Research Duels,' that cover Sjoelbak, Crokinole, or Aunt Sally's Stick Throwing."
Viktor smiled and said, "Let's get busy, shall we?"
"To the Laboratory!," they shouted in unison