Honey, I Finished The Internet

14 Replies to “Honey, I Finished The Internet”

1. This is one of the best I’ve heard in a long time. What is also amazing is the fact that a man who was experimenting with microwaves has lived to 101, and remains healthy.

   In 1953, my dad worked for a Chrysler dealership. He picked up a new car at the factory in Detroit. His co-workers picked up a couple more in Windsor Ontario. He often talked about them having seen a microwave at a trade fair they visited. He was amazed that it could cook bacon, yet the napkins inside didn’t burn. It would be another 15 years before the microwave became popular in Canada.

   Thanks for a great story.

   1. After your first RF burn, you don’t do it again.

2. My father told of the time while he was in grad school that he and mom attended a demonstration of the microwave stovetop in one of the science lecture halls. I think it was 1952. There was a presentation of the physics behind it, which interested dad, and then the rapid cooking aspect, which was of general gee-whiz futuristic interest to all.

   That was before they had all the shielding and safety details worked out. Turns out that microwave stovetops are “a bad idea.”

3. Apparently, James Lovelock, who also worked for MI5, was the real-life Q.

   1. Q is a position, there is a current Q.

   2. He passed away on his 103rd birthday this past July. He was quite remarkable.

      I had the fortune to meet him a couple of times and I celebrated his 100th birthday with him at an event in the UK.

4. I feel very sorry for the future generation that will watch a frozen ‘cave man’ known as Bill Gates … reanimated by microwaves after a cure is found for brain tumors. I hope they know what to do with him after that.

   Speaking of hamsters

5. Inlaws still have one of the 70’s style Amana Radar Ranges at the cabin. Built like a tank. Just like this one:

   https://946e583539399c301dc7-100ffa5b52865b8ec92e09e9de9f4d02.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/12537/1733112.jpg

   1. My parents bought one of those when they first came out – $425 if I remember correctly, adjusted for inflation over $3000.

      1. They were made in Amana, in east-central Iowa. The Amana colonies, which more or less surround Amana, Iowa, were settled by Germans who were being persecuted for their religious beliefs. If you’re ever driving on Interstate 80 and you have the time, it’s worth stopping there. The Amana company got acquired by another company that made kitchen appliances, and then closed up, but there are some interesting things about the settlers.

6. Kate is absolutely right. I’d call it fascinating, rather than simply interesting, but there’s no point in arguing that. James Lovelock’s enthusiasm (at age 101!) made me happier than I’ve been since Joseph Biden was elected President.

   1. Allow me to clarify some language. I’ve been unhappy since Joseph Biden was elected President. I was happy before the election.

   2. He walked at least a mile every day and maintained a healthy sense of humor.

7. James Lovelock passed in July of last year. What a treasure of a man.