THE CYBERPHILOLOGIST WILL SEE YOU NOW…
IN THE old days, I mean really old, the word “scientist” didn’t exist. I learned this reading “Megafauna,” by Adrienne Mayor, in the London Review of Books, July 2, 2015 … Continue reading
“POINTLESS” CARS?
BACK IN the 1980s when most cars still had traditional breaker-point ignitions, one carmaker’s innovative state-of-the-art electronic system was heralded with a wonderful press release: “New Rapidfire has a pointless … Continue reading
Wyoming Tales
I ENJOY when learning a little about something encourages one to discover a bit more. For example, I knew next to nothing about Wyoming until I randomly opened The WPA … Continue reading
THE STINSONS—HIGH FAMILY VALUES
BACK IN 1910, Katherine Stinson, age 19, had a great idea for financing lessons toward her career as a concert pianist: She’d learn to fly and earn the money from … Continue reading
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNCLE SAM!
THE TALE of our Uncle Sam is oft-told, but not completely inappropriate on this, the 239th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Uncle Sam is a … Continue reading
TROJAN TALES GALORE
THE ENGLISH Trojan automobile had more eccentricities and as many stories as the legendary Model T Ford. Introduced in 1922, the Trojan had an engine with four cylinders arranged in … Continue reading
I WISH I SAID THAT (FIRST)
I’VE BEEN collecting thoughtful comments, or in some cases just great one-liners, from a variety of sources. Some come from movies I’ve enjoyed or books I’ve read, others from TV … Continue reading
FUTURISTS AT MERCEDES AND ELSEWHERE
GIVEN THE automobile’s complex design cycle and regulation requirements, automakers need to understand the future. In some quarters, it’s already 2020, 2025 or beyond. In the June 10, 2015, issue … Continue reading
MICKEY AND A MELTING WATCH??
WALT DISNEY had a way with fantasy. And so did artist Salvador Dali. Amazingly, these otherwise vastly different art icons worked together. In researching this, I learned of John Hench, … Continue reading
ORSON WELLES AND THE FEDERAL THEATRE PROJECT
THIS YEAR is the 100th anniversary of the birth of theatrical great Orson Welles. Likely, he’s best remembered for his 1941 movie Citizen Kane, consistently ranked among the all-time greatest … Continue reading
Simanaitis Says 