Introduction The companion piece to this story, “Building the World’s Largest Wind Turbine”, was written somewhat with tongue in cheek, but this story has to be taken more seriously. Unlike the Mod-1 WTG, erected in Boone, North Carolina, which has been surpassed in size and power many times, the General Purpose…

Travel Log from Panama and Costa Rica Introduction These are my diary entries from a trip that I made to Panama and Costa Rica, several years ago. The highlight of the trip was passage through the Panama Canal. …

Introduction This story was intended to focus on the reliability of power systems for interplanetary spacecraft, but with my writers’ weakness for digression, the dialogue does touch on other topics. The anecdote that I relate concerns how the application of advice from a blind professor may have saved the Galileo mission…

Introduction I began writing this story in response to several articles about proposals to place satellites into Earth orbit using alternatives to chemical rocket propulsion. To date, every man-made object placed into Earth orbit, or beyond, has been placed there by using a launch vehicle propelled by chemical rocket engines. Two…

Introduction A recent feature article of AARP’s Bulletin, dated June 2022, entitled, “The New Truth About Aging”, presented the results of a poll that included preparedness for retirement, segregated by age groups. Surprisingly, and to the satisfaction of its oldest members, the poll showed that older age groups were better prepared…

Introduction First, get used to the idea, that before the Conquest, Anglo-Saxons were known by only one name. For example, two of the earliest members of the Cockfield family had the names “Wulfric”, and “Leofmaer”. Period. Add to that the practice of naming children after uncles and other relatives, and it…

Introduction The truth of the matter is, there are no secrets. The keys to living a long, healthy, and happy life have always been known. They begin with food and exercise, and a stress-free attitude. Easier said than done. …

Introduction This story is about the design, construction, and operation of the Mod 1 Wind Turbine Generator, along with some personal anecdotes. This was way back in 1979. It was not the first of its kind, and much larger WTGs have been built since then. But the WTG installed in Boone…

Preface If you have enjoyed Mardi Gras in New Orleans, you might consider a trip “Off the Beaten Path” to experience how it is celebrated in Cajun country. It is an interesting contrast. Many make the mistake of thinking of New Orleans food and culture as Cajun when it is more…