Here’s a weird one: Today’s BotD is Small Gas Engine Repair by Paul Dempsey That’s not really the weird part. What struck me is that one could argue, “Interesting, Barry, but with all this hybridization/alternative fuel sourcing/farm-animal-utilization going on now-a-days, how long will this book be relevant?” That got me thinking. First, have people talked about alternative energy sources for anything other than home and car? Is there a hybrid riding mower out there? The answer got a lot weirder when I found sites like Evatech, who apparently make remote control hybrid mowers. Freaky! But think of the fuel economy when it doesn’t have to carry you around, and the energy economy on yourself when you don’t have to push it. It’s like a Roomba for your backyard!
Well, all of that aside, what struck me beyond that point was a consideration of obsolete technology. Who could still make a record player? Who, in 50 years, will be able to make a record player? Who in 50 years will know how to make a small gas powered engine? What about in 100? After all of that, now I’m interested in how these things work. The biggest problem with doing the Book of the Day is never having enough time to complete them all myself.
