1973
Catalytic Conversion
“Among essentially the most troublesome air pollution produced by vehicles are the chemically lively nitrogen oxides. Workers at Bell Laboratories have discovered catalysts that react nitrogen oxides with a lowering fuel (hydrogen or carbon monoxide), changing them to nitrogen and such innocent by-products as water and carbon dioxide. They may be coated on a ceramic help to make a filter-like system that may very well be put in in an car. So far such gadgets have been examined solely within the laboratory; additional exams are essential to see if they may get up below the extreme circumstances in an exhaust system of an car operating for prolonged intervals. The car trade faces more and more strict Federal requirements for lowering carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen in exhaust emissions.”
1923
Discovered: Nebraska Man
“At the latest assembly of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Henry Fairfield Osborn introduced the invention of a tooth giving proof of a pre-historic and unknown species of anthropoid intermediate between the ape and the earliest man. This discovery was made by Harold J. Cook within the center Pliocene formations of Nebraska. This tooth matches no recognized tooth of ape or man, fashionable or extinct. Dr. Osborn classifies it as a brand new species and genus and names it Hesperopithecus haroldcookii, which implies ‘the anthropoid from the west found by Harold Cook.’ The fossil was discovered within the higher section of the Snake River beds, related to stays of the rhinoceros, camel, Asiatic antelope and an early type of the horse. Hitherto, no specimen of anthropoid primates had been found in America.”
Within a number of years the novel classification was proved to be a mistake; it was retracted in 1927.
Artificial Rain
“There have been loads of reported achievements in [artificial weather making] that, on investigation, turn into illusory. Now we’re requested to consider {that a} methodology of dispelling clouds and fog, and by the way of turning clouds into rain, low cost sufficient to be utilized universally for the advantage of aviators and others, has been devised by investigators at work at McCook Field, close to Dayton, Ohio, on behalf of the Army Air Service. The course of consists of spraying the clouds from an airplane with electrically charged sand, clearing away the cloud and producing an incipient rainstorm. We are unable to see any motive why this course of ought to prolong very far. The grains of sand would rapidly lose their electrical cost and behave the identical as some other mineral mud discovered within the ambiance.”
1873
Vesuvius House, Great Lava Views
“About two thirds of the way in which up the facet of Vesuvius stands a small constructing, plainly seen. During cloudy and moist climate, it’s shrouded within the dense veil of smoke which settles across the summit; and in instances of eruption, the fiery streams appear to embody it and movement far beneath its degree. In this construction, thus dangerously situated, Professor Palmieri, a well-known Italian savant, has established an observatory and, with marvelous intrepidity, has remained at his publish watching the convulsions of the volcano at instances when his home stood between torrents of liquid hearth, the warmth from which cracked the home windows and scorched the strong stone of the partitions. The information obtained at so nice a danger has been just lately given to the world in an ably written quantity, which comprises information of invaluable help sooner or later investigation of volcanic phenomena. Professor Palmieri considers that, to a sure extent, eruptions could also be predicted. We recommend he complement his efforts by turning from an intermittent to a continuing volcano—from Vesuvius to Stromboli.”
Science Benefits Economy
“It is noticeable that scientific topics have acquired extra consideration from the newspaper press of late. This is partly [because] it’s turning into extra typically recognized that discoveries that appeared at first to be with none software have contributed to the overall good. Experiments in magnetism and electrical energy, which led to the invention of the electrical telegraph, had been constructed from curiosity solely. None may have anticipated the usage of spectrum evaluation within the manufacture of metal. Other instances could also be famous as an example the proposition that each addition that could be made to bodily science is able to an financial use.”
