Jan. 11, 1902 — Popular Mechanics Is Born 77
Today, back in 1902 Henry Haven Windsor published the first issue of Popular Mechanics, helping to empower geeks of future generations with straightforward explanations of scientific and mechanical advances. "The magazine has reported both the brilliant and ridiculous ideas of its times, depending on the writer, scientist or editor. It once published an article about a Philadelphia physician who supposedly used X-rays to turn blacks into whites: probably not a great editorial decision. Betting on blimps over planes for so long might not have been advisable, and hyping excessive consumption during the birth of the environmental movement in the 1960s also rates a demerit. But beyond those probable transgressions, Popular Mechanics paved the way for the people’s incursion into science’s once-exclusive domain. Its longevity argues that science and its sometimes inscrutable possibility have raw mass appeal — even if the subject is cars with steering wheels in the back seat or self-diagnosing appliances."
Whites (Score:5, Funny)
Actually, he turned white people into charcoal, which is technically black.
Popular Mechanics was not about science at all. It was mainly engineering and technology. Science is something else entirely.
A few months back (Score:4, Funny)
Now get off my lawn!
comparison (Score:5, Funny)
... has reported both the brilliant and ridiculous ideas of its times, depending on the writer, scientist or editor.
For a minute, I thought they were talking about slashdot!
Popular Mechanics' predictions inaccurate (Score:3, Funny)
If they weren't, we'd all be flying autogiros and speaking Esperanto by now.
Re:Love the old ones! (Score:1, Funny)
They have pride of place on the shelf in 'the smallest room' and make great bogtime reading.
... everyone seemingly on the make ...
You know, there are other, less lavender, ways of communicating the same ideas...
... favourite ...
Ah, nevermind. I see what the problem is now.
Strong Bad says... (Score:4, Funny)