The New York Times bestselling author of Stuff Matters presents a rollicking guided tour of the secret lives of gases: the magnificent, strange, and fascinating substances that shape our world. Gases are all around us—they fill our lungs, power our movement, create stars, and warm our atmosphere. Often invisible and sometimes odorless, these ubiquitous substances are also the least understood materials in our world, and always have been. It wasn’t long ago that gases were seen as the work of ancient spirits: the sudden closing of a door after a change in airflow signaled a ghost’s presence. Scientists and engineers have struggled with their own gaseous demons. The development of high-pressure steam power in the eighteenth century literally blew away some researchers, ushering in a new era for both safety regulations and mass transit. And carbon dioxide, that noxious by-product of fossil fuel consumption and cow burps, gave rise to modern civilization. Its warming properties known for centuries, it now spells ruin for our fragile atmosphere. In It’s a Gas, bestselling materials scientist Mark Miodownik chronicles twelve gases and technologies that shaped human history. From hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and neon to laughing gas, steam, and even wind, the story of gases is the story of the space where science and belief collide, and of the elusive limits of human understanding.
"The first architect-designed gas station - a Pittsburgh Gulf station in 1913 - was also the first to offer free road maps; the familiar Shell name and logo date from 1907, when a British mother-of-pearl importer expanded its line to include the newly discovered oil of the Dutch East Indies; the first enclosed gas stations were built only after the first enclosed cars made motoring a year-round activity - and operating a service station was no longer a "seasonal" job; the system of "octane" rating was introduced by Sun Oil as a marketing gimmick (74 for premium in 1931)." "As the number of "true" gas stations continues its steady decline - from 239,000 in 1969 to fewer than 100,000 today - the words and images of this book bear witness to an economic and cultural phenomenon that was perhaps more uniquely American than any other of this century."--Jacket.
Six volumes bound under one cover make this the most comprehensive book ever written on alcohol fuel production, use, policy, history, ecology, politics and economic perspectives. Thoroughly addresses both past and present controversies, myths and misconceptions that permeate the public debate. It contains the most exhaustive treatment of potential energy crops to be found anywhere. Crops for all climates and soil types are detailed including cellulosic materials. Unique feedstocks that can have global impact like ocean kelp, cattails used for treating sewage, and creative waste products are covered. Design and construction of alcohol plants from 2 gallons per hour to 50 gallons per hour including detailed distillery design data is described in laymen?s terms for easy construction. Case histories of actual plants are covered in interviews of operations built by the author?s students.The book compares qualities of alcohol versus gasoline and diesel. In exceptional detail, conversion of gasoline, diesel, aircraft, motorcycle, two stroke, and utility engines are described. Using alcohol to produce electricity and hot water as well as cooking and cooling are also addressed. Business models for micro and small plants are laid out enabling the reader to design their own business.The author?s original concept of Community Supported Energy projects in which communities establish driver owned alcohol stations and then contract with farmers to supply the station are outlined clearly so activists can organize them. Profusely illustrated with 514 charts, photos and drawings. The book is thoroughly documented with 473 endnotes and a 6300 entry index.
In this car culture of ours, what could be more American than the gas station, from the roadside pit stop in the middle of nowhere to the spit-and-polish, full service city shop? This brightly illustrated history of service stations runs the gamut from East to West, North to South, spotlighting the culture and lore of the gas-pumping garage that has kept the United States moving for a century. Whether it's the last-chance Texaco or the Sinclair dinosaur winking in the distance, the beckoning Shell, or the winged Mobil horse, it's here in all its small-town glory of compact architecture, inspired promotions, art deco pumps, and endless views of the American horizon. Author Tim Russell, one of the world's foremost collectors and historians of Petroliana, rolls out the ribbon of highway that takes us to all of those way stations of Americas motoring past.