The torpedo launch console has big square plastic buttons-Flood Tube, Open Shuttle, Ready to Fire-that flash red or green, like something Q would have built into James Bond's Aston Martin. The missile compartment has similarly retro-looking panels of buttons. They provided the setup for one of the more quotable things Murray said to me-a line that, were fewer precautions in place, could have joined Houston, we've had a problem or Watch this in the pantheon of understated taglines for calamity: I wouldn't lean on that.
The torpedo launch console in the book "Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War" by Mary Roach is depicted with large, vibrant buttons labeled with commands like Flood Tube, Open Shuttle, and Ready to Fire, reminiscent of gadgets one might find in a James Bond film. The aesthetic includes retro panels in the missile compartment, evoking a sense of nostalgia for classic military technology.
One memorable quote from the author, which highlights the unique balance of humor and seriousness found in the text, is the cautionary statement, "I wouldn’t lean on that." This line reflects the understated yet impactful phrasing often associated with critical situations, placing it alongside famous remarks like "Houston, we've had a problem." Roach's writing brings a light-hearted perspective to the serious context of military operations.