September 17th, 2009 
TBDKeith The answer Lignum vitae:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignum_vitae
It was used for the shaft bearings on the WWII submarine USS Pampanito (SS-383) were made of this wood.[2] The after main shaft strut bearings for USS Nautilus SSN-571; the world’s first nuclear powered submarine were composed of this wood.
It was also used for medical conditions:
“Lignum vitae” is Latin for “wood of life”, and derives from its medicinal uses; lignum vitae resin has been used to treat a variety of medical conditions from coughs to arthritis, and chips of the wood can also be used to brew a tea.
Keith
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I didn’t know that about Lignum Vita that it was used in submarines. I had heard about it being used in bearings, but that is neat. That is also very interesting about the medical uses and makes me wondering about what other woods have been used for in the medical field. I am familiar and have used the Eucalyptus wood for clearing out nasal cavities. But what about the other great creations on this world? Does anyone have any other ideas of how these woods have been used?