Editor-Publisher
If we look on the energy crisis as an opportunity, rather than
as an unbeatable problem, we’ll all be the better for it.
Readers of The Iron -Men Album include hundreds who are
inventive and innovative, who can see a challenge they enjoy in the
shortage of fuels. We call on them to apply their minds and their
skills to finding new ways, and reviving and adapting old ways, to
meet today’s problems and put America ahead on the energy
front.
What can be done with steam that should be brought to the fore?
Steam may well have a more glorious future than its past, which was
elemental to the Industrial Revolution, opened the way for giant
strides in production of power and transportation, and gave the
impetus for man’s leap from ancient farming methods to the
opening of millions of acres to agriculture.
We quote from Amos Rixxman, past president of the ATA, Oklahoma
City, who wrote in the 1962 ATA program book about the steam
engine:
‘Never developed to the fullest extent, it could well have
been the sole, or nearly sole, power used today! Yet the potential
of the reciprocating steam engine design has never been developed
beyond its infancy! The future of newer and small atomic power
plants may yet see our forgotten age of steam return in a new
dress.
‘The versatility and performance of steam has not yet been
duplicated in industry or transportation. So it may well be that
this monster which can stand silent, but ready to put forth full
power in an instant in either direction, may return to serve us far
better than we have yet been served.’
(From ‘Farm Steam Shows USA & Canada’, by Dana Close
Jennings.)
We are also interested in a resolution introduced in Congress by
Rep. Edwin D. Eshleman, of our district. He seeks to encourage the
use of old patents to meet the crisis.
The bill, joined in by a group of 15 bi-partisan congressmen,
calls on individuals and industries holding patents that might be
useful in conserving energy, or supplying new energy sources, to
turn them over to the House Interior Committee for evaluation.
‘Any patents found valuable and put into use would mean full
reimbursement to the holder of that patent under this bill,’ he
said.
Joining in sponsorship of the bill are Reps. Gene Synder
(R-Ky.), Edward J. Derwinski (R-I1L), Joe D. Waggoner Jr. (D-La.),
Harold V. Froelich (R-Wisc), Herman T. Scheebeli (R-Pa.), J. Edward
Roush (D-Ind.), Antonio Borja Won Pat (Guam), Trent Lott (R-Miss.),
William R. Roy (D-Kan.), Joseph M. McDade (R-Pa.), Donald J.
Mitchell (R-NY), Allan Steelman (R-Tex.), Clair W. Burgener
(R-Calif.), John M. Zwach (R-Minn.), and Larry Winn Jr.
(R-Kan.).
We’re counting on all our readers to help.
