What the hell are these ‘J-rods’?

Thanks to readers have solved the mystery of the springy lengths of steel found all over Sydney’s streets. Jeff Barr-David, a metalworker from UTS was first in with the solution – the ubiquitous metal strips are broken bristles from mechanised street sweepers. Pick them up and keep a few – it’s surprising how often they come in handy. Charles Lake says that in his student days they made great components for architectural models. After a friend, Jarrod, worked out what they were the students named them ‘J-rods’ in his honour.