September 4, 2008
You know the saying, "Human see, human do.":
technica q&a: brian greene (icarus at the edge of time)
technica q&a: bill tancer (click)
technica q&a: robert zimmerman (the universe in a mirror)
technica q&a: eric roston (the carbon age)
isepp lecture series
aisle 49
new arrivals
doug brown's factoid
bestsellers
Could it be global warming in flux? Two weeks ago, it was 104 degrees. Then, the scorching heat turned to rain showers and the temperature dropped 40 degrees. It felt like October. Now, it's 80 degrees again. Collier, our ubiquitous Tech staffer, has the right idea — wear flannel all year round, and eventually the weather will catch up to you.
TECHNICA Q&A: BRIAN GREENE
Brian Greene isn't one to rest on his laurels. His newest book, Icarus at the Edge of Time, reworks the Greek myth of Icarus. Says Greene, "I like to call this a work of science in fiction as opposed to science fiction." In this Q&A, learn about Greene's surprising score on the Geek Test, find out why he loves the Catskill Mountains, and why French curves thwarted a career in architecture. And save 30% on Icarus while our promotion lasts.
TECHNICA Q&A: BILL TANCER
Bill Tancer wrote Click: What Millions of People Are Doing Online and Why It Matters as an extension of his blog about what he does for Hitwise, on online competitive intelligence company. The anecdotes about what we are really doing on the web are surprising to say the least. In his Q&A for Powells.com, Tancer reveals his love of barbequing, his penchant for both Adamses, and his most influential teacher from his school days. Read on, and save 30% off the cover price of Click for a limited time.
Atomic City
September 19, 1957: The first underground nuclear bomb was detonated in a tunnel beneath Rainier Mesa in Nevada. Shockwaves were recorded as far away as Alaska. Local residents of Las Vegas reacted to the nuclear testing by holding their first Miss Atomic Bomb pageant. This pageant didn't last long, but underground testing continued in the Nevada desert until 1992.
TECHNICA Q&A: ROBERT ZIMMERMAN
Robert Zimmerman's curiosity helped him write his latest book, The Universe in a Mirror, which chronicles the invention and construction of the Hubble Space Telescope. Zimmerman describes that curious nature in his Technica Q&A — "When I see a half-filled glass of water...I see the empty half as mysterious and fascinating in its own right." In the rest of his answers, learn about Zimmerman's take on the "Dilbertization" of the American workplace, check out his sharpshooting skills, and learn why he likes to play Mahjong online during writing projects. And save 30% on The Universe in a Mirror while our promotion lasts.
TECHNICA Q&A: ERIC ROSTON
"'Carbon' is the most important word that people know the least about," says Eric Roston in his Technica Q&A. His latest book, The Carbon Age, details the essential role carbon plays in the universe, and explains why carbon is such a buzzword right now. Read on to find out what he has in common with Jacques Cousteau, how he rates on the Geek Test, and why writing is like an enjoyable puzzle. And save 30% off the cover price of The Carbon Age for a limited time.
ISEPP LECTURE SERIES
Fall is coming, and that means another stellar lineup of the Institute for Science, Engineering, and Public Policy science talks at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. On October 2 at 7:00 p.m., don't miss Dr. Richard Leakey's lecture, The New Revolution in Human Origins. Be sure to show up early to get your book signed. Other coming speakers include Daniel Levitin on October 23 and Brian Greene on November 13. Plus, you can save 40% off individual ticket prices by purchasing a season pass at the ISEPP website.
Full of Hot Air
Inventor Henri Giffard first demonstrated the dirigible, also known as an airship balloon, zeppelin, or blimp, to the public in September 1852. Ferdinand Zeppelin, who first encountered air balloons in America during the Civil War, invented the rigid balloon structure that later bore his own name. One hundred and fifty-five years later, Colin Meloy, singer-songwriter for the Decemberists used the word "dirigible" in his 2007 song "Sons and Daughters."
AISLE 49
Aisle 49 — full of books that you covet. Surely, you've heard of continuing education? No matter your age, it's never too late to learn a few new tricks. Check out Secrets of Mental Math by Arthur Benjamin and Michael Shermer, re-read Linus Pauling's General Chemistry, or get inspired by Kelli Dunham's How to Survive and Maybe Even Love Nursing School. Perhaps the brightest gem in this month's collection is Frank Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy, a book filled with beauty and wonder.
You're Never Alone When You're a Trekkie
September 14 is the birthday of actor Walter Keonig, who played Chekov in the Star Trek TV show. He was the first classic Star Trek cast member to write an episode, called "The Infinite Vulcan," which appeared on the animated series. Keonig also wrote for the TV shows Land of the Lost and Family, and even wrote a film called You're Never Alone When You're a Schizophrenic.
NEW ARRIVALS
Dr. Robert Morris, author of The Blue Death, reports on the history of water-borne illnesses and the reasons they're still a grave danger. Christopher Vine's new book, Peter's Railway, gives children a good story along with technical information about steam trains. Another City, by Dell Upton, studies the urban landscapes and sociological environs of Philadelphia and New Orleans during their antebellum history. And, just in time for the election, don't forget Obama and McCain paper dolls!
DOUG BROWN'S FACTOID
There are many instances of smaller animals hanging around larger animals for protection. One of the more interesting is in Peru, where small frogs share daytime burrows with much larger spiders. The spiders are theraphosids, popularly called tarantulas. The frogs are microhylids, which are less than an inch long. The frogs are so small that they can actually take refuge underneath the spiders when disturbances occur. It is thought that noxious skin secretions keep the spiders from eating the frogs, as these spiders will readily eat other frogs. When the spiders go out at night to forage, the frogs often forage nearby.
POWELL'S TECHNICAL BOOKS BESTSELLERS
1. The Bull of the Woods by J. R. Williams (Machine Shop)
2. The Bull of the Woods: Volume 2 by J. R. Williams (Machine Shop)
3. Tabletop Machining by Joe Martin (Tools)
4. An Introduction to Stirling Engines by James R. Senft (Steam Engineering)
5. Tom Henry's Key Word Index: 2008 NEC by Tom Henry (Code Books)
6. Gas Burners for Forges Furnaces and Kilns by Michael Porter (Foundry and Forging)
7. How to Open Locks with Improvised Tools by Hans Conkel (Home Security)
8. Metal Casting by Stephen Chastain (Foundry and Forging)
9. Electrical Wiring Residential by Ray C. Mullin (Electrical)
10. Steam Donkey Engine by William M. Harris (Steam Engineering)
Technica
By Carole R.
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