Smoke signals... a burning question.

It was one of those moments, when a burning question popped out of my head.

"Is it really true that the American Red Indians (native Americans) really did send smoke signals to each other? (Ancient texting, huh?) I mean, how do you create those perfect puffs that you see in Hollywood Western movies?" I asked.

Turns out it was true, said the website I had consulted when I wondered how did tower cranes keep going up and up in the construction of high-rise buildings. The website, howstuffworks.com, is really great. And not only did the native Americans use smoke signalling, the ancient Chinese guarding the Great Wall did so too! And so do today's Boy Scouts.

Here's an interesting segment from the website's page titled "How to send a smoke signal", with the link below as well:

...wet a blanket to keep it from burning and throw it over your smoking fire. Once the trail of upward smoke has ceased, pull the blanket off to send a white puff skyward, and then put the blanket back on. This will send a one puff message.

What message it conveys is up to you and your recipient... repeat this action to create a two puff and three puff message.

Here are a few of the common signals used by the Apache Indian tribe:

One puff -- Sending a single plume of smoke would commonly be an attention signal. This meant that something unusual was going on, but there's no cause for alarm or imminent danger. It was commonly a sign to watch for further signals.

Two puffs -- A two puff signal meant that all was well and that camp was established and safe. It indicated that they would stay at their current location until further notice. If the camp was more permanent, a continual two puff message was sent to let neighbouring bands know that permanent camp was near and safe. It was an important message, as Native American tribes often moved camp according to the seasons, the availability of resources and for safety.

Three puffs -- This was an alarm signal, just as it is with Boy Scouts today. Indians warned of approaching enemies or marked the beginning of a battle with this signal. Continuous single columns of smoke indicated greater danger and a call for help.

http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/survival/wilderness/how-to-send-smoke-signal1.htm

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Since we now know that Boy Scouts, native Americans and the ancient Chinese communicate with smoke signals, here are two appropriate jokes:

* First Boy Scout: There's a smoke signal yonder. Can you read it out for me?
   Second Boy Scout: Let me see (consults the manual). It says...

Help! My blanket's on fire!

* Indian chief wants to summon his braves back from hunting trip. He sends smoke signal.

It is some six hours later that the men return.

Indian chief (angrily): You no see my smoke signal?
One man replies: Yes, chief, we see. But signals in strange shape. We no understand.
Another man (suddenly inspired): Let me see blanket. Hmmm.... Aha! Great smoking bear in the sky, the blanket label says "Made in China!"