In July 1893 when Rudolf Diesel was building the first diesel engine
prototype, it exploded, nearly killing him. Subsequent prototype engines
did not work or barely worked. Despite these setbacks, Diesel persevered
and eventually perfected one of the most important inventions in the
history of energy.
In January 2005, a glow discharge cell in Mizuno's laboratory at
Hokkaido University exploded. It produced roughly 441 times more energy
than the input energy up to that moment, so I think it was an anomalous
energy release. See:
http://lenr-canr.org/Experiments.htm#PhotosAccidents
In response to this, the university ordered Mizuno to stop doing
experiments. End of the story. Maybe the end of any chance to develop
this into a practical source of energy.
In the 19th century, people responded to danger and setbacks by
persevering. In the modern age we respond by closing down research and
abandoning the future. Our approach is actually far more dangerous to
society as a whole. Even for the individual, it often increases danger
rather than than making people safer. We protect our children to such a
ridiculous extent that they never learn to use kitchen knives or power
tools. When they grow up and are confronted with cooking and other tasks
they must do, they are much more likely to hurt themselves.
I was reminded of that today when I had to cut a piece of glass. I do
that on the concrete porch steps, with with an old-fashioned glass
cutter, a ruler, and WD-40. That is satisfying when it works. Especially
when you tap the glass lightly and it snaps off cleanly, which on my
porch means the unused portion smashes into a pile of shards on the
bottom step. My father taught me how to do this, and I taught my
children. My daughter became adept at making stained-glass ornaments.
Imagine what would have happened if I had showed other kids in the
neighborhood how to do this. Teaching kids how to make a jolly pile of
glass shards might get you arrested for endangerment these days.
- Jed
