A BEV NICHE?
THIS MAY seem like beating a weary horse, but evidence continues to build indicating the inanity of battery electric vehicles being anything but a niche market. Even the federal government … Continue reading
TUPOLEV MAKSIM GORKI
“GO BIG or stay home.” In 1932, Josef Stalin wanted to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Russian author Maksim Gorki’s first publications. So Stalin asked his favorite aircraft designer, Andrei … Continue reading
HELIUM AND DONALD DUCK
THIS HELIUM shortage is getting serious. A local supermarket had a “Temporarily Out Of Helium” sign—and you know what that means: Those of us with no particular vocalization talents won’t … Continue reading
A MONACO VISIT
THE MONACO Grand Prix exemplifies everything that’s glamorous about Formula 1 racing. It’s the last of the grand venues, a genuine street circuit. And through what streets! One of my … Continue reading
AMERICA’S SONGS
THE SONGS of America’s musical theater and film musicals have been called “the Great American Songbook.” Radio personality Jonathan Schwartz offers this view daily, and I agree with his assessment. … Continue reading
COSMIC EVENTS
YESTERDAY, SATURDAY, March 9, 2013, had yet another asteroid flyby, this one called 2013 ET, the size of a football-field. On February 15, we had one of record-breaking closeness—only to … Continue reading
FUZZY QUADROS
A FRIEND passed along an amazing video of two flying robots balancing a rod—and tossing it back and forth! “Could this be a hoax?” my friend asked. Amazing though it … Continue reading
JAPAN’S OTHER RACE CIRCUIT
PAUL WILLIAMSEN, Lexus International Training guru and Facebook Friend, recently mentioned the Okayama International Circuit, née TI Circuit Aida. The TI stood for Tanaka International, after its founder Hajime Tanaka; … Continue reading
LE MÉTRO
THE PARIS Métro is one of the oldest—and most grand—of the world’s subterranean transportation systems. Its construction encountered ancient catacombs and other caverns even more unexpected. Its stations are exemplary … Continue reading
NORTH TO ALASKA—BY AERO
IT WAS the idea of Brig. Gen. William “Billy” Mitchell, father of the U.S. Air Force and, already in 1920, a firm believer in the importance of air power: Have … Continue reading
Simanaitis Says 