Page 112 - Magnificence Everywhere

THE POWER OF BONES' LATTICE SYSTEMS
Our bones, which assume very important roles such as carrying and protecting
the body, were created with the capacity and strength to carry out these functions.
The human thighbone, for example, has the capacity to carry a weight of one ton.
Indeed, with each step we take, a load that is 3 times heavier than our body weight
is imposed on this bone. In fact, when a pole-vaulter lands on the ground, every
centimeter of hipbone is exposed to a pressure of 1,400 kilos (3,086 pounds).
In order to have a full grasp of the perfection of the design of bones, let us make
a comparison as follows: One of the strongest and most useful materials man uses is
steel, because steel is both strong and flexible. However, our bones are both
stronger and 10 times more flexible than solid steel. Also, bones are much more
lightweight than steel. A carcass made of steel would be 3 times heavier than a
human skeleton.
It is also instructive to compare the perfect design of bones with modern con-
struction techniques. Until the second half of the twentieth century, the task of con-
structing tall buildings was costly and time consuming. However, with various
technological advances, many new construction design techniques have been de-
veloped. One of the most important of these is known as "lattice systems." Under
this system, the carrying components of construction consist not of a single piece
but are made of numerous rods crossing each other in the form of a lattice. With the
help of complex calculations made by computers, impressive bridges and industrial
structures can be built much more strongly and cost-effectively using this tech-
nique.
The interior structures of bones are also built with the same lattice system that
we now use in bridge and building constructions. When a bone is cut and exam-
ined, a very interesting system is seen in its interior design. Crossing each other,
thousands of small rods form a complicated structure. This structure is essentially
the lattice system built inside bones. By means of this, our bones are both very
strong and light in such a way that we can use them easily.
If the opposite was the case, in other words if the insides of our bones were hard
Magnificence Everywhere is only one example of the matchless creation art of Allah. Everyone needs to see the
and completely filled, the weight of the bones would be much higher than the
weight we can bear and they would crack and break at the slightest blow.
The structure of bones, which man tries to imitate by using today's technology,

magnificence of Allah's perfect and unique creation in his own body and be thank-
ful, reflecting upon it.

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