6 Maven of Mercy 22 Thailand 28 Remember the Maine 38 Packed with Power Humanitarian A tale of two cities A “splendid little war” The history of the battery Clara Barton
CONNECTINGTOINDUSTRY How Sweet It Is
OUR INSATIABLE APPETITE FOR SUCROSE KEEPS THE WORLD’S SUGAR REFINERIES COOKING
FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 asia/pacific – spring/summer 2012
The Right Connection™ 21 io av opigCmay l ihsreserved. rights All Company. Coupling & Valve Dixon ©2012
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8 16 22
FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 8 SWEET SPOTS 5 BUILDINGCHARACTER Our insatiable appetite for sucrose keeps the world’s The Golden Rule sugar refineries cooking. By Mary K. Zajac 6 PROFILE Clara Barton 16 HERO OF THE SKIES In an amazing act of daring and bravery, Butch O’Hare 15 FACTS & FIGURES became the first naval flying ace of World War II. Sugar Around the World By Greg Rienzi 21 THEDIXONDRILLER 22 THAILAND: A TALE OF TWO CITIES 32 DIXON SPOTLIGHT Tourists flock to this country in Southeast Asia for its Reinvesting in American Manufacturing rich culture, chaos—and calm. By Jodi Ettenberg 34 KEEPINGITSAFE 28 “REMEMBER THE MAINE!” Use Caution with Compressed Air How a “splendid little war” put the U.S. on the map 36 HEALTH & FITNESS as a world power. (Es)chewing the Fat By Eugene Finerman 38 INVENTIONS Packed with Power
WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 3 FALL/WINTER 2012 ASIA/PACIFIC – SUMMER 2012
Publisher Dixon Valve & Coupling Company
Editor Sue De Pasquale
Editorial Board Richard L. Goodall, CEO Bob Grace, President, Dixon Taylor Goodall, Vice President, Distribution, Dixon Scott Jones, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Dixon Hazen Arnold, Vice President, Dixon Mark Vansant, Vice President, Dixon Joseph Dawson, Marketing Manager Bill Harr, Global Marketing Director Karen R. Hurless, Advertising & Communications Manager
Editorial & Design Clipper City Media
Director of Custom Media Jeni Mann LOOKING AHEAD Creative Director Kim Van Dyke Dixon looks forward to 2013. Our commitment to manufacturing, lean practices and product innovation highlights our dedication to providing the Graphic Design Jamie Conway best possible products and service. Cortney Geare Our industry, like others, depends on the health of the overall economy.
We need our government leaders to ensure policies that promote the free Please submit address changes and enterprise system and the values that have made our country great. The fact requests for new subscriptions to: Clipper City Custom Media is that successful businesses are the engine of job production; without them, Attn: Adrienne Gieszl 11459 Cronhill Drive, Suite A-B the American Dream of success is beyond our reach. Let’s hold our elected Owings Mills, MD 21117 officials accountable—and together we can look forward to more jobs and 888-257-8558 Fax: 410-902-2338 less government interference in the months and years to come. Thank you for your business! Have a happy and successful year. BOSS is produced three times a year by Dixon Valve & Coupling Company and Clipper City Custom Media. The acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorse- ment of the products or services by Dixon Valve & Thanks for reading, Coupling Company. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement that is not in keeping with the standing or policies of Dixon Valve & Coupling Company. Copyright 2012, all rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of BOSS without written permission is prohibited.
Dixon Valve & Coupling Company 800 High Street Chestertown, MD 21620 877-963-4966 Fax: 800-283-4966 www.dixonvalve.com
Email questions or comments about BOSS 4 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 to: [email protected] BUILDING CHARACTER/BY MICHAEL JOSEPHSON
The Golden Rule
> “Do unto others as you would have rule of ethics. In other words, we are Is it ethical to lie to a liar or cheat them do unto you.” honest, kind or fair to others only so a cheater? Not for a person of character. The Golden Rule is an ethical they will be honest, kind and fair to us. We may feel like suckers from time principle rooted in every major culture. There is, of course, a practical aspect to time if we’re honest and kind to You can find it in the writings of to the Golden Rule. Kindness often everyone, but in the end the best reason Confucius and Aristotle as well as in the begets kindness, and people are more to follow the Golden Rule is not because scriptures of virtually all religions. You likely to be honest with us if we’re it assures that others will treat us right, don’t want to be lied to, yelled at or honest with them. The trouble is that but because it is right. You see, how we treated unfairly, so don’t lie to, yell at or if we anchor our willingness to treat treat others is not simply about them. It’s be unfair to others. others well in expectation that they will about us. It defines who we are. It’s a terrific rule to create a more return the favor, what is our moral duty kind and just society, and it is central to with respect to selfish, disrespectful Reprinted from You Don’t Have to Be Sick the ethical principle of respect. But if and dishonest people? Can we modify to Get Better, Josephson Institute of Ethics. we’re not careful we can twist the the rule to “Do unto others as they ©2001. www.josephsoninstitute.com. meaning of the Golden Rule by treating have done unto us,” or “before they do Permission given by the Josephson Institute it as a rule of exchange rather than a it to us?” of Ethics.
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WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 5 PROFILE/BY MARIA BLACKBURN Maven of Mercy Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, set the standard for selflessness
> Clara Barton is most widely known as “You must never so much as think the founder of the American Red Cross, whether you like it or not, whether it is the “Angel of the Battlefield” and the bearable or not,” she said once. “You namesake of a busy service area on the must never think of anything except the service through nursing when she was southbound New Jersey Turnpike. need and how to meet it.” 11 and her brother David fell off the She was much more than that. Clarissa “Clara” Harlowe Barton was barn roof he was repairing. Doctors told Barton was a pioneer at a time when born in North Oxford, Mass., on Dec. the family that David would surely die women were expected to stay home and 25, 1821, to Captain Stephen and Sarah of his serious internal injuries within a care for their families, an era when Barton. The youngest of five, she and year. Barton stepped in and took care of women were barred from working in her siblings were educated from the her brother day and night for two years. many jobs and unable to vote. Barton time they were small by their father, a He recovered. worked as a teacher and patent clerk, a veteran of the Indian Wars, about how In 1839 she became a teacher. When searcher of missing persons, nurse and important it was to serve one’s country Barton was offered a “promotion” to humanitarian, tirelessly serving those and help others. teach in a more challenging school at around the world who needed help most. She first showed her devotion to the same $2 weekly salary (about $50
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6 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 today)—less than what male teachers in may be compelled to face danger, but Red Cross. She started the American the same job were earning—she told never fear it, and while our soldiers can Association of the Red Cross in 1881, the school board, “I may sometimes be stand and fight, I can stand and feed at age 60, expanding the concept of the willing to teach for nothing, but if paid and nurse them,” she said. “My place is organization to include assisting in the at all, I will never do a man’s work for anywhere between the bullet and the face of national disasters. less than a man’s pay.” The school board hospital.” Her courage and dedication Barton was president of the agreed and decided to pay her the same as the “Angel of the Battlefield” won American Red Cross for 23 years, salary as the male teachers. her much praise and attention, and she leading the organization as it assisted Barton’s strong spirit served her well was named the superintendent of victims of such disasters as the Texas when, in 1854, she took a job as a Union nurses. famine in 1886, the Florida yellow fever copyist in the U.S. Patent Office in When the Civil War ended in 1865, epidemic in 1887 and the Galveston Washington, D.C., and became a civil Barton still felt called to serve. “War, flood in 1900, as well as those injured servant. She was the first woman to get although the most tragic, is not the in the Spanish American War. a substantial clerkship in the federal only evil that assails humanity,” she She resigned as head of the Red government, and she loved her job. said. At her urging, President Abraham Cross in 1904 and died in 1912 at the However once the Civil War began, she Lincoln granted her permission to age of 90 at her home in Glen Echo, resigned in order to volunteer in aiding search for missing soldiers through a Md. An obituary of Barton published in soldiers on the front lines of battle. letter writing campaign via the Office the Detroit Free Press stated simply, “She Women had never been allowed on of Correspondence. was the most perfect incarnation of battlefields or in military hospitals or Barton’s schedule was relentless mercy the modern world has known.” camps before, and officials declined her and taxing and took a toll on her health. Today, Barton’s legacy lives on help at first. Barton prevailed and won A trip to Europe for rest in 1869 through the American Red Cross the access and support she sought. “I introduced her to the International (www.redcross.org).
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WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 7 Sweet Spots
BY MARY K. ZAJAC
Sugar beets being delivered on a conveyor belt, for processing at a sugar mill. JUSTIN TSUCALAS
OUR INSATIABLE APPETITE FOR SUCROSE KEEPS THE WORLD’S SUGAR REFINERIES COOKING
The air smells sweet in the courtyard Imagine a world without refined sugar. Difficult, Tunder the giant Domino Sugars sign visible from all isn’t it? angles of the Baltimore harbor. The ship that discharged As Michael Pollan acknowledges in The Botany of the current batch of raw sugar for American Sugar Desire, his exploration of the complex relationship Refining’s Baltimore refinery (formerly the Domino between plants and human desires, humans are wired Sugar Corporation) has left the port. In a warehouse, for sweetness. “A taste for sweetness appears to be a man in a front loader pushes piles of tawny, inedible universal [among different cultures],” writes Pollan. raw sugar into what looks like giant sand dunes. A few “This goes for many animals, too, which shouldn’t be bees, fat and drunk on sugar, buzz about lazily. Dressed surprising, since sugar is the form in which nature stores in hard hat and safety glasses, his hair (and beard) food energy.” Mammals get their first taste of sweetness encased in netting, refinery manager Stu FitzGibbon from their mother’s milk, explains Pollan, and the taste climbs the refinery’s metal steps, pausing only to greet for sugar only grows from there. Since sugar was first an employee by name or to take in a quick view of the introduced to England in the 13th century, the world’s harbor filled with sailboats and swooping Seagulls. taste for sugar hasn’t ceased. “I love sugar,” says the 32-year industry veteran. The In recent decades, high fructose corn syrup and world would agree. artificial sweeteners (from saccharine to Splenda® and Imagine a world without refined sugar. No candy, aspartame) have made inroads into the sugar market. no jam, no pickles. Bread rises with difficulty without Yet old-fashioned sugar has prevailed. According to sugar to boost the yeast. Medicines become a challenge the USDA, in 2010, Americans consumed roughly 66 to swallow in their unadulterated state. Forget that pounds of sugar per capita, the highest amount since morning doughnut. 1999, whereas high fructose corn syrup consumption
WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 9 Above: A sugar beet. Right: A worker stands among sugarcane plants on a plantation in India in 1929.
at 64.5 pounds hit its lowest levels American Sugar Alliance (ASA), “no since 1986. other commodity in the world that “There’s been some migration comes from such different plants has back to sucrose as a sweetener,” says an outcome that is so indistinguish- FitzGibbon. “The public started to able. It’s the same outcome from grass realize that simpler is better. [Sugar] and tuber.” tastes better too.” Sugar is produced on six continents humid climate and thrives in areas like Sugar, or sucrose, is a naturally and in more than 100 countries, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana and Texas. occurring product derived from both including Brazil, the largest producer Production costs for each method sugar cane and sugar beets—one- to of sugar worldwide, as well as India, of refining are highly dependent on two-foot-long white root vegetables China, Thailand, Poland, Ukraine, weather, explains Roney. Monsoons weighing three to five pounds. Pakistan and the U.S. Eighty-one per- can severely damage a cane crop in Incredibly, the sugar produced from cent of sugar worldwide is made from the Philippines, while drought can each source is virtually identical, but cane (grown in tropical and subtropi- affect the sugar beet crop in Russia. only an expert in the sugar industry cal areas), while sugar beet production “In most years with good rain, lower might be able to tell the difference is relegated to cooler climes. cost productions are associated with between the two sugars, concedes Approximately 72 percent of the sugar beets,” says Roney. Both sides Mark Whitford, vice president of sales world’s sugar stays within each country of the industry are interdependent on of production, with the remaining 28 the other’s harvest, and will make up “Beet sugar percent available on the international for shortfalls if necessary. has more of an market. In the United States, nearly all “In our industry, we never have the sugar produced in the 18 sugar- two years that are the same,” says earthy smell, producing states is consumed by Whitford. Still, according to the ASA, while cane has Americans. sugar producers generate nearly $20 a clean, sweet In the U.S., however, the amount billion a year for the U.S. economy. of sugar made from sugar beets versus In Brazil, the sugar cane industry smell.” — Mark Whitford sugar cane is roughly equal—55 contributed $50 billion, or 2.4 percent percent comes from sugar beets, while to the country’s GDP in 2010. and marketing for Sweeteners Plus 45 percent comes from cane. Sugar Sugar, says FitzGibbon, “is an old Inc., a sugar distributor in Lakeville, beet production is centered west of the industry that’s thriving.” N.Y. “Beet sugar has more of an earthy Mississippi in cool climate states like smell, while cane has a clean, sweet California, Washington, Colorado, A Powerful History smell,” he explains. Idaho, Minnesota, Montana and Sucrose has been part of the human Still, says Jack Roney, director of North Dakota. Sugar cane, on the diet for more than 12,000 years. It was economics and policy analysis for the other hand, needs a warmer, more “first domesticated in New Guinea,
10 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 Sugar Fun Facts
I Sugar’s name originated from the Sanskrit sarkara, which means “material in granule form.”
I Sweet is the only taste humans are born desiring.
I Sugar cane stalks can reach up to 30 feet high.
I One teaspoon of sugar equals 15 calories.
I White sugar is pure sucrose. Brown sugar contains molasses. Dark brown sugar has more molasses content than light brown sugar.
I Confectioners, or powdered, sugar is sugar ground to powder, sifted, and then blended with cornstarch to prevent caking.
SUMMER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 11 JOCELYN AUGUSTI
Cultivating a sugar beet field. A truck unloads sugar beets at a sugar plant in Groningen, Netherlands.
first processed in India and first and using to sweeten their chocolate first successful sugar beet factory was carried to the New World by came primarily from colonies in the established in central California. By Christopher Columbus,” explains Caribbean or West Indies. Christopher 1917, the U.S. operated 91 sugar beet Johns Hopkins University Professor Columbus brought sugar cane from factories in 18 states. Today there are Sidney W. Mintz, a world authority the Canary Islands to Santo Domingo 22 sugar beet refineries in 11 states. on sugar and the author of Sweetness during his second voyage in 1493. By All the refineries are cooperatives, and Power. 1516 Dominican sugar was being har- allowing smaller operators to pool Before sugar reached the New vested and refined via slave labor and their collective resources for equipment World, the Crusaders brought it back shipped back to Spain. In turn, Dutch, and better buying power. to England in the 13th century. There British and French sugar plantations it was used as both a spice and for dependent on slave labor would follow Refining: From Field to Factory medicinal purposes. In the 15th and on islands like Jamaica, the Antilles, On paper, the process of making 16th centuries, both sugar and honey Cuba, Puerto Rico and Antigua. sugar sounds easy: You simply were used as sweeteners, but by the Sugar would become an invaluable remove sucrose from the sugar beet 18th century, Mintz reports, “sugar— international commodity, and until or cane and then separate molasses, sucrose—won out over honey as an the abolition of slavery in Europe and a byproduct, from the raw sugar. item of mass consumption … and has the United States in the 19th century, In reality, the process is a lot more never retreated.” In the 19th century, it was part of the insidious “triangle complicated and slightly different for he adds, sugar consumption in the trade” that swapped human capital for each product being produced. Sugar United Kingdom quintupled. goods like sugar and rum, made from beet harvesting is nearly 100 percent The sugar that Britons and other sugar’s byproduct, molasses. After slav- mechanical worldwide, whereas Europeans were stirring into their tea ery was abolished, Europeans turned sugar cane harvesting varies, with to sugar beets, something previously developing countries more apt to relegated to cattle feed, as a source for use more manual labor. In Brazil, Dixon offers a variety of products their sugar, establishing factories in mechanization accounts for roughly for the sugar manufacturing Germany, France, Poland and other 55 percent of the harvest. industry, including: cool-climate countries. “Once a beet is out of the soil or In the United States, sugar refining cane is cut, it has to be processed I Boss Couplings and Clamps from cane began in earnest in quickly because the sucrose depletes I Cam and Groove Couplings Louisiana in the late 18th century, quickly,” explains Jack Roney. For this I Ball Valves with an influx of expert planters and reason, most beet and cane refineries refiners who were fleeing Haiti after its are located close to the beet or I Air King, Dix-Lock, and Dual Lock revolution. By 1812, Louisiana boasted cane fields. 75 sugar mills. Sugar beet production Although sugar beet refineries I Washdown Stations and Nozzles was attempted in the U.S., mostly on operate year-round, the process begins Sanitary Fittings I the East Coast, soon after, but failed to in earnest in the U.S and in most flourish. It wasn’t until 1870 that the international beet-growing locations
12 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 Processing raw sugar and molasses from sugar cane in Bais City, Philippines. A technician works inside a sugar factory in the Mexican town of Ameca, Jalisco.
with the October harvest, when sugar for 20 minutes to an hour. The milk of cane is put through rollers similar to beets are harvested by machine. A lime bonds with the impurities and is an old-fashioned laundry mangle and defoliator removes the green tops and filtered out, leaving a thin syrup, which crushed to extract the juice. Slaked slices a portion from the top of the is first evaporated and then crystallized lime is added to the juice to filter out beet, which contains a high level and spun in a centrifuge to dry. The impurities, and then the juice is thick- of impurities, while a pinch wheel result is refined white sugar; the ened into a syrup through evaporation. harvester pulls the beets from the soil byproduct is molasses. Some of the The syrup is then boiled until condi- at the root. Beets are weighed and a molasses is sold as food grade. In a tions are right for the sugars to form sampling is tested for sugar content, which can vary between 10 percent Unlike sugar beet production, cane and 20 percent. Then the beets are moved to storage and stacked in piles refining is a two-step process that measuring 18 feet tall and 1,500 feet takes place at sugar cane mills and wide. Although beet sugar refineries then at cane refineries. are busiest during the fall harvest, technology has made it possible for beets to be kept under controlled process called molasses de-sugariza- crystals, and the resulting crystals are conditions for up to six months so tion, a small quantity of molasses is spun in a centrifuge to separate them that refining can occur throughout run back through the system for from the remaining liquid. Next the year. further extraction, which often yields comes step two: The raw sugar, an In preparation for extraction, beets around 10 percent more sugar. The inedible product that results from are washed several times before being largest portion is sold to supplement cane extraction, is sold to cane sliced by large drum slicers (industrial cattle feed (yes, cows have a sweet refineries, like American Sugar graters equipped with pairs of rotating tooth, too). Refining Inc. (ASR), where it will be opposed groove knives) into thin Sugar beets can yield 70 percent to turned into 40 different sugar prod- strips called cossettes, making them 86 percent of the sugar already within ucts—including white, confectioners look a little like raw shoestring French beets when the process started, and and various browns—and sold under fries. The cossettes are placed in large a sugar beet cooperative like the familiar labels like Domino, Florida diffuser tanks filled with hot water and Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Crystal, C&H and Redpath (ASR also then agitated in a process called coun- Cooperative in Renville, Minn., can packages sugar for other customers tercurrent flow—this extracts sugar, process 6,500 tons of sugar beets per under their labels). turning the water into a thick liquid day, and 562.5 tons of sugar per day. American Sugar Refining is the mix of water and sugar called juice. To Unlike sugar beet production, cane world’s largest sugar company, with remove impurities in the juice, a slurry refining is a two-step process that takes more than 17,000 employees (including of calcium hydroxide called “milk of place at sugar cane mills and then at manufacturing and distribution) and lime” is added and then the entire cane refineries. The first step in cane 10 refineries in the United States, mixture is carbonated in large tanks sugar refining is extraction, where the Canada, Mexico, England, Portugal
WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 13 A trio of sweeteners: regular, cane and high fructose corn syrup. An advertisement from the United States Food Administration, ca. 1918. and across the Caribbean. The company thoughtful process than it used to be,” farms 439,000 acres of sugar cane he adds. and harvests 12.5 million tons of cane Raw sugar is 98 percent sucrose, annually. The Baltimore facility is and the Baltimore refinery is “a huge second in production only to the facility for 2 percent removal,” jokes New Orleans refinery; in 2011, the FitzGibbon wryly. The refining to a limited production of organic Baltimore plant produced 885,000 tons process is a series of melts, rinses and sugar. Domino has also begun to offer of refined sugar. It is, as refinery alternative packaging in the form of manager Stu FitzGibbon describes it, The refining four-pound plastic tubs of refined “a major operation.” sugar rather than the familiar five- Still, on first glance, it’s also easy process is a series pound bags. to understand what FitzGibbon means of melts, rinses Although the American sugar when he says that the public perception and evaporations industry receives no government of sugar refineries is that they are subsidies, it is heavily regulated, and old and outdated. The 29-acre ASR all designed both the domestic and international Baltimore refinery opened in 1922 and to separate the sugar industries pay close attention to many of its darkened brick buildings molasses from the discussions of free trade agreements are still in use (its iconic neon sign was since such agreements—as well as erected in the 1950s). But “just because sugar crystals weather and supply—affect both the sugar refineries are old does not mean international commodity market the technology and equipment are old,” evaporations all designed to separate and pricing. says FitzGibbon. As he points out the molasses from the sugar crystals. The sugar industry will also frequently throughout a tour of the This refinery produces 6.5 million continue to face competition from Baltimore facility, jobs that once pounds of sugar (or melt, as the the artificial sweetener industry as required mostly manual skills now industry calls it) per day. It even has people worldwide face the conundrum require critical thinking. its own powerhouse. of trying to cut calories without “The main thing our employees do eliminating sweetness. is think,” says FitzGibbon, pointing to Opportunity … and Challenges “Sugar-free has taken a huge bite a 10-year employee who is monitoring Consumers across the U.S. and out of the sugar industry,” admits Mark a computer screen that regulates “affi- around the world can choose from Whitford of Sweeteners Plus Inc. “But nation centrifuges”—tanks that spin white, brown, confectioners and other while you get sweetness from sugar, 900 pounds of raw sugar that has been specialty sugars in their supermarkets, you also get body. Take that away from blended with a small amount of water and the industry continues to introduce soft drinks and you’re left with water and molasses (also known as magma) new products and packaging. A and sweet. It’s not the same. every three minutes. “It’s a more demand for organic products has led “Sugar will never go away.”
14 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 FACTS & FIGURES/
Concentrating squeezed sugar cane juice at a small, rural sugar factory in Myanmar, Burma.
Sugar Around the World
I Global consumption of sugar increased steadily I India is the largest consumer of sugar in Asia by 2.5 percent per year between 2000 and 2010. (roughly 17,000 tons), followed closely by China.
I Global sugar production for the 2011–12 I Brazil is the largest exporter of sugar (accounting marketing year is forecast at roughly 185 million for 53 percent of world trade), followed by India, tons, up 4 percent from 2010–11, according to China and the United States. the USDA. I The U.S. produces approximately 70 percent of I The U.S. is the largest consumer of natural the sugar it consumes, importing the remaining sweeteners, consuming around 10 million tons 30 percent from other countries like the of refined sugar each year. Philippines, Zimbabwe, Belize and Fiji.
WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 15 Hero of the Skies In an amazing act of daring and bravery, Butch OʼHare earned his place in history as Americaʼs first naval Flying Ace of World War II BYGREGRIENZI
On Feb. 20, 1942, Navy Lieutenant Edward took his crew on fishing and swimming trips, he “Butch” O’Hare hopped into his Wildcat fighter smoked Camel cigarettes and often flashed a plane aboard the USS Lexington aircraft carrier. Hollywood smile. This was no reconnaissance mission, flight drill O’Hare also possessed remarkable stick-and- or exercise. Duty, danger and fate beckoned. rudder and gunnery skills that made him a The Lexington sat some 450 nautical miles standout pilot and—on that fateful February from New Guinea and Japan’s Pacific naval afternoon in 1942—a nation’s knight in headquarters at Rabaul harbor. airplane armor. Earlier that afternoon, the Lexington had been discovered by a four-engine Kawanishi flying Edward O’Hare was born in St. Louis, Mo., boat. A U.S. fighter shot down the spotter plane, on March 13, 1914, to Edward Joseph O’Hare but not before it had radioed the carrier’s position. and Selma O’Hare. Young Butch, as he quickly A full squadron of Mitsubishi G4M “Betty” became known, had two sisters, Patricia bombers flew out of Rabaul to take out the and Marilyn. Lexington. To counter, the Lexington dispatched Butch’s father was a lawyer who early in his six Wildcat fighters, which took down most career met a St. Louis inventor, Oliver Smith, of the enemy planes. The ship’s anti-aircraft who developed a mechanical rabbit for use in guns finished off the rest before any damage dog racing, a new and popular pastime. Edward was done. O’Hare helped Smith take out a patent for the A second wave of bombers, however, was device, and the two later toured the country soon incoming. O’Hare and five other pilots introducing the rabbit (later popularized in a roared off the carrier’s deck to stop them. Bugs Bunny cartoon) at several racetracks. These were the times when heroes were made. When Smith died in 1927, the elder O’Hare Although just 27, O’Hare was already a sea- allegedly swindled Smith’s widow out of any soned and senior pilot who had established him- rights to the mechanical rabbit and took all the self as a favorite with crew members. The hand- earnings for himself. “Fast Eddie,” as he would some Irish-American was popular for his sense be known, was born. of humor and his modesty. A man’s man, who Butch’s parents divorced that same year,
16 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 Lt. Edward H. “Butch” O’Hare in his Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat giving a thumbs-up at Naval Air Station Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii, on April 10, 1942. Note the five Japanese flags representing the five enemy bombers he was credited with shooting down. Courtesy of The National Archives.
WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 17 when Butch was 12. His sisters stayed learned the basics on such naval aircraft On Feb. 20, the Lexington was deep with their mother in St. Louis, while as the Factory N3N-3, or Yellow Peril, in enemy waters in preparation for a Butch and his dad moved to Chicago. and the Stearman NS-1 biplane trainer. surprise air strike against the Japanese It was here that Fast Eddie met Al He trained in aerobatics on the Boeing ships in the harbor of Rabaul. With Capone, the American gangster whose F4B-4A, an agile pursuit aircraft, as well their position spotted, the mission had crime syndicate was at the height of its as in aerial gunnery. He also flew the to be aborted. Now it was just a matter powers. Capone brought on O’Hare SBU Corsair and the TBD Devastator. of self-preservation. The second wave to help run his horse and dog track During his training, O’Hare of enemy Japanese bombers took the operation in Chicago. The two struck received heartbreaking news from Lexington off-guard, and O’Hare and up both a partnership and friendship. home. On Nov. 8, 1939, his father was his squad had to scramble. Despite his father’s dealings with gunned down by some of Capone’s The launch from the carrier, how- such a notorious figure, Butch had a men, just weeks before the famous ever, was far from ideal; four of the fairly normal childhood, with summer mobster was released from Alcatraz Wildcats quickly found themselves too vacations to river camps, where Butch prison. Fast Eddie was killed instantly. learned to sail and fish. His father also He was 46. bought him a .22-caliber rifle that he Butch O’Hare finished his naval used to shoot tin cans and other targets. aviation training in May of 1940 and By all accounts, the elder Eddie was assigned to the USS Saratoga’s doted on his son and praised him at fighter squadron, then transferred to every turn. But perhaps knowing the the carrier USS Enterprise. O’Hare extent of Capone’s villainy, he worried speedily mastered the fine art of carrier for the boy’s future. At age 13, O’Hare landings, a pulse-raising maneuver he was sent to Western Military Academy, could not get enough of, impressing
O’Hare speedily mastered the fine art of carrier landings, a pulse-raising maneuver he could not get enough of, impressing even more experienced pilots.
a private military preparatory school even more experienced pilots. located in Alton, Ill.—an academy that During the summer of 1941, in addition to O’Hare turned out several O’Hare returned to St. Louis. During war heroes, including Paul Tibbits, who a hospital visit to a friend, he met a would go on to pilot the Enola Gay nurse named Rita Wooster and fell over Hiroshima. head over heels in love. He proposed O’Hare graduated from the on the spot. She said yes, but with a Western Military Academy in 1932, catch. O’Hare had to convert to Roman and the following year enrolled at the Catholicism so that they could marry A recruiting poster, ca. 1942, appeals to the United States Naval Academy in in a Catholic Church. Butch agreed patriotic fervor of the day. Butch O’Hare’s Annapolis, Md. Around this time, and the two married on Sept. 6, 1941. heroism undoubtedly inspired many young Fast Eddie provided incriminating The couple honeymooned in men to join the ranks of U.S. naval aviators. evidence during Capone’s infamous Hawaii, and then moved to Coronado, tax evasion trial, which helped finally Calif. where Butch was reassigned until far from the Japanese planes to reach to put the gangster behind bars. he was called to duty the day after the them before they released their bombs. In 1937, O’Hare graduated from the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Only O’Hare and his wingman were Naval Academy and was appointed an Dec. 7, 1941. within intercept distance, but the ensign. Though he longed for naval In January 1942, after the USS wingman’s guns jammed. aviation, like all new officers of the time Saratoga was struck by a Japanese O’Hare and his plane were all that he had to spend two years on surface torpedo off Hawaii, O’Hare’s squadron stood between the eight enemy bombers, warships before he could specialize. relocated to the USS Lexington, and roughly 12 miles away from the carrier, He served two years aboard the O’Hare was temporarily promoted to and the Lexington’s 2,000-man crew. battleship USS New Mexico, and quickly lieutenant. One month later, O’Hare As if these odds weren’t long enough, moved on to flight training at Naval Air would cement his legend in military O’Hare had only enough ammunition Station Pensacola in Florida. There he aviation history. for 34 seconds of firing. He had to
18 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 make each round count. commander and awarded him the cigarettes. The Camel smoker accepted Squinting into the sun, he quickly Medal of Honor. With the president the gift and wrote a letter of thanks to spotted the V-shaped bomber formation looking on, Rita placed the medal the Grumman employees: “You build and took the enemy by surprise. On his around her husband’s neck. The citation them, we’ll fly them and between us, first pass, O’Hare dived full throttle laid out his daring in dramatic detail. we can’t be beaten.” directly at the formation and took “Without hesitation, alone and O’Hare would later embark on out two bombers in mere seconds. A unaided, he repeatedly attacked this several war bond tours and other public burst from his plane’s Browning M2 enemy formation, at close range in the relations duties throughout the country. .50-caliber guns made a direct hit on a face of intense combined machine-gun In June 1942 he was relocated to Maui, bomber’s wing, and the engine ripped and cannon fire. Despite this concen- Hawaii, to instruct other pilots in right out of its mountings. trated opposition, Lieutenant O’Hare, combat tactics. His daughter, Kathleen, O’Hare came around for another by his gallant and courageous action, was born in February 1943, but he pass and took out another crop of his extremely skillful marksmanship in didn’t get to meet his firstborn until a bombers, which were now in complete making the most of every shot of his month later. disarray. With five bombers now taken limited amount of ammunition, shot O’Hare was kept out of combat until out and another badly damaged, down five enemy bombers and severely late October 1943, when he flew in O’Hare was out of ammunition. More damaged a sixth before they reached attacks on Wake Island. In November, U.S. fighters joined the battle. Although the bomb release point. As a result of as Air Group Six commander on the three Japanese bombers managed to get his gallant action—one of the most daring, USS Enterprise, O’Hare participated in
A squad of Grumman F 4F-3 Wildcat fighter jets on a mission (plane in foreground piloted by Lt. Commander John S. Thach; pilot of plane in background is Lt. Commander Butch O’Hare) on July 3, 1942. O’Hare and Thach shake hands in front of a Wildcat fighter plane at an Oahu air base, ca. April-May, 1942. through, none of their bombs would if not the most daring, single action the Gilbert Islands invasion. score a direct hit on the Lexington. in the history of combat aviation—he Then, his good fortune ran out. On It was estimated that O’Hare used undoubtedly saved his carrier from Nov. 26, O’Hare volunteered to lead a only 60 rounds per enemy bomber, an serious damage.” night interception to counter Japanese impressive display of marksmanship. On Saturday, April 25, 1942, O’Hare attacks with torpedo-armed Betty O’Hare’s bravery and skill that day received a hero’s welcome in his home- bombers, which attacked at night at made him the first true naval “ace” of town of St. Louis. With confetti raining low level. The pilots of the Enterprise World War II (a designation for those down, a beaming O’Hare rode down had developed a clever counter to who shoot down five or more enemy Washington Avenue with his wife and these attacks: Once an enemy plane aircraft) and earned him the nation’s mother beside him, as some 60,000 was spotted, the carrier would launch highest military decoration. He would took to the streets to cheer him home. Avenger bombers equipped with radar return to the United States to officially As a token of appreciation, the workers that would lead them into a position receive his honors. On April 21, O’Hare at the Grumman plant in New York, where the Hellcat fighters could spot and his wife visited the White House. where O’Hare’s Wildcat was manufac- the enemy bomber’s exhaust flares. President Franklin D. Roosevelt pro- tured, took up a collection and bought O’Hare led one of these teams of moted O’Hare to the rank of lieutenant him 1,150 cartons of Lucky Strike two Hellcat fighters and one Avenger.
WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 19 It is not clear what went wrong, but a =)'!%#/-()* '>0 ?!"#$%!#@ ?A88A confused dogfight in the darkness took place, with the Avenger taking down two Japanese bombers. O’Hare was lost to radio contact. Despite a search, Butch O’Hare’s 304 Stainless Steel fighter was never found. He was officially listed as dead one year later. !""#$%& ()*+# What happened that night in November remains a mystery, but three theories persist. Some military historians believe that a Japanese bomber killed
Despite a search, Butch O’Hare’s fighter was never found. He was officially listed dead one year later.
O’Hare outright with a lucky burst, others that O’Hare was shot down by the other Hellcat in the darkness, or that B0"'/!0+3 O’Hare took evasive action and clipped / :&&? @0A@0. B :&&? CDA60E@0. the ocean, crashing his plane into the / F++ 10@@0. A*G<)E0A )G0 A)DC@)GH IDCA7 @- J%!,) waters. The surviving two U.S. pilots in / KC0+. A0GLCE0)M+0 ND- A60EC)+ @--+A G0O*CG0.P that night raid defended the carrier and / Q+)R6 0D.A were awarded the Navy Cross. Rita / SC+CE-D0 A0)@A O’Hare received her husband’s posthu- / T+*0 @GCUU0G 7)D.+0 mous Purple Heart and Navy Cross on Nov. 26, 1944. / ,06)CG 2C@A )L)C+)M+0 In 1945, the U.S. Navy destroyer / V60G)@CDU @0R60G)@*G0 G)DU0W :"X Y !&&XK USS O’Hare was named in his honor. / Z)=CR*R -60G)@CDU 6G0AA*G0W ::& (S4 Four years later, in September 1949, Chicago’s Orchard Depot Airport was ;(C0+3 renamed O’Hare International Airport / FL)C+)M+0 CD :[\3 !\ )D. %\ in memory of the fallen flying ace. O’Hare officially opened to commercial air traffic in 1955. In March 1963, President John F. Kennedy laid a wreath at O’Hare International Airport in Butch O’Hare’s honor and spoke of his bravery. “I remember as a young naval officer myself how the extraordinary feat of Butch O’Hare captured the imagination not only of our armed forces but also of the country,” Kennedy said. “His Scan to learn more! extraordinary act in protecting his ship, 9(:%) ;")('"!< shooting down, while he was alone, five !" $!%&'& ()*+ ,-). / (01)*2003 $4 "%&5! of the enemy during difficult days in the 67 !8!9":%98;&& / <= >&&95>;9'&'8 Second World War, gave this country hope and confidence not only in the !"#$%!#&''()*+,-%. quality and caliber of our fighting men -/+'%.0! +0!2(-03 455,647,8684 but also in the certainty of victory.”
20 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 THE DIXON WINTER 2012 Dates in To read The Dixon Driller on a monthly basis, visit our website: History DRILLER www.dixonvalve.com “Published once a moon since 1932” 1787 - On Dec. 7, Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the Constitution, doing so by a unanimous vote. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 1823 - During his annual address to Frac Fittings Congress, on Dec. 2, President James Application: • forged nuts Monroe proclaims a new U.S. foreign • Supplying water and sand slurry • stem and ferrule system policy initiative that becomes known to a hydraulic fracturing site. compatible with Dixon’s as the “Monroe Doctrine.” Primarily new King Crimp system the work of Secretary of State John Features: • machined malleable iron Standards: Quincy Adams, the Monroe Doctrine • one-piece design stems to ASTM A47; all stems • Hammer nut forged to ASTM forbade European interference in the • interchangeable with current zinc plated 105N standards. American hemisphere but also assert- fittings ed U.S. neutrality in regard to future • 400 PSI working pressure at 70°F Size: For additional questions or European conflicts. no leak path as experienced with • 4" figure 206 male/female/male information, please call Dixon two-piece threaded systems NPT at 877.963.4966. 1884 - On Dec. 6, in Washington, D.C., workers place a 9-inch aluminum pyramid atop a tower of white marble, TRIVIA Did you know that... completing the construction of an impressive monument to the city’s Both π and the letter p are the Curtis Institute of Music in Presidents William McKinley, namesake and the nation’s first 16th letter in the Greek and English Philadelphia has the lowest Grover Cleveland, and James president, George Washington. alphabets, respectively. acceptance rate among U.S. Madison are on the $500, $1,000, In 2002, a Japanese scientist colleges, at 4%. and $5,000 bill, respectively. The 1921 - On Dec. 9, a young engineer at found 1.24 trillion digits of pi using Ancient Greeks and Romans bills are still used as legal tender General Motors named Thomas a powerful computer called the originally used the term Africa but are no longer being printed. Midgeley Jr. discovers that when he Hitachi SR 8000, breaking all to apply only to the northern On average, the moon is 238,750 adds a compound called tetraethyl lead previous records. region of the continent. In Latin, miles (384,400 km) from Earth, or (TEL) to gasoline, he eliminates the The country with the largest num- the word Africa means “sunny,” about 30 Earth widths away. unpleasant noises (known as “knock” ber of World War II casualties was and the word Aphrike in Greek Although Nova Scotia was granted or “pinging”) that internal-combustion Russia, with more than 21 million. means “without cold.” the British Empire’s first flag by engines make when they run. Midgeley The Air Force was part of the Army Since vampire bats have to drink King Charles I in 1625, Canada could scarcely have imagined the in World War II and didn’t become as much as their own weight in did not have a national flag until consequences of his discovery: For a separate branch of the military blood every day, a human vampire February 15, 1965, when its maple more than five decades, oil companies until after the war. like Dracula would have to drink leaf flag was adopted by its parlia- would saturate the gasoline they sold Although initially created for the blood of a whole tableful ment. Before that, the red ensign, with lead—a deadly poison. college students, Facebook users of guests every night just to a British maritime flag, was in over age 26 now represent 60% of keep going. general use. 1965 - On December 9, the Cincinnati the total U.S. Facebook population. www.facts.randomhistory.com Reds traded outfielder Frank Robinson to the Baltimore Orioles, in exchange ONTHELIGHTERSIDE for the pitchers Milt Pappas and Jack Baldschun and the outfielder Ways Annoy People • Holler random numbers while • Sit in your front yard pointing a Dick Simpson. The trade was widely • Specify that your drive-through someone is counting. hair dryer at passing cars to see regarded as one of the worst in order is “to go.” • Staple papers in the middle of if they slow down. Major League Baseball history. • Push all the flat Lego pieces the page. • Chew on pens that you’ve together tightly. • Decline to be seated at a borrowed. 1993 - On Dec. 8, the North American • Leave your turn signal on for restaurant, and simply eat their • Select the same song on the Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is signed 50 miles. complimentary mints by the jukebox 50 times. into law by President Bill Clinton. • Declare your apartment an cash register. • Make appointments for the 31st NAFTA, a trade pact between the U.S., independent nation, and sue your • Write “X - BURIED TREASURE” of September. Canada and Mexico, eliminated virtu- neighbors upstairs for “violating in random spots on all of • While making presentations, ally all tariffs and trade restrictions your airspace.” someone’s roadmaps. occasionally bob your head like between the three nations. • Follow a few paces behind • Drive half a block. a parakeet. www.history.com someone, spraying everything • Leave your Christmas lights up www.history.com they touch with Lysol. and lit until September.
WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 21 A weathered stone statue in the Wat Po Temple part of the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
22 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 Taxis, known as “tuk tuks,” on Khao San Road, a popular landmark featuring a street-side market and many bars.
Tourists flock to this country in Thailand Southeast Asia for its rich culture, A TALE OF TWOchaos—and CITIES calm
BYJODIETTENBERG
THAILAND IS A COUNTRY OF SUBTLE digging under the surface to discover what LAYERS, a complicated onion of history, makes Thailand such a unique destination. culture and food that can be best explored As the only country in Southeast Asia to have by gradually pulling away pieces. With one avoided colonial rule, its story and traditions of the highest rates of tourism in Southeast are deeply intertwined with its monarchy and Asia, it has remained a top vacation spot for dominant religion, Buddhism. In recent years, backpackers and luxury travelers alike. With the country has been in the news for a number its bustling capital of Bangkok, its cultural of coups, a series of violent protests in the heart in the northern city of Chiang Mai and capital, a festering insurgency in Thailand’s dozens of islands to explore in the south, deep south and a massive flood that inundated Tthe country packs a seemingly dizzying large swaths of several provinces, including number of sights into a relatively small parts of Bangkok. Despite these struggles, geographic area. tourism has thrived. It is partly Thailand’s To truly appreciate its cities, beaches and resilience that makes it such a fascinating lush green forests, however, it is worthwhile destination.
WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 23 An Escape from the Cities: Ko Samui For those who want beaches to some of the smaller islands as well as cities and moun- in Thailand, it is also easy to tains, Ko Samui is an easy access and has some stunning option from Bangkok, with beaches. For those looking for a flights on Bangkok Airways place to stay, Rocky’s Boutique (bangkokair.com/eng) and Resort (rates available at Thai Airways (thaiairways.com) rockyresort.com) is on Lanai plying the route several times beach, Samui’s second- a day. biggest shorefront and a While Samui is built up quieter choice than the packed and fairly developed compared Chaweng beach.
Bangkok Don’t miss: city name is Krung Thep decorated with quirky art and (56/10 Sukhumvit Soi 55 I A trip on the public boats along the Chao Phraya river, Mahanakhon Amon furniture and offers a beautiful [Thong Lor], tel. +66-85- offering a very different view Rattanakosin Mahinthara pool to counter the heat of 9042691, soulfoodmahanakorn. of the city. Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop the city. com) as an outlet for his love Noppharat Ratchathani of Thailand’s street food and I A morning at Wat Pho, one of the largest and oldest Burirom Udomratchaniwet Where to eat: American chef its many nuanced flavors. On temples in Bangkok and Mahasathan Amon Piman and food writer Jarrett Wrisley any given day, his menu is a the resting place for the Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya started Soul Food Mahanakorn variety of perfectly braised huge reclining Buddha, Witsanukam Prasit, one of the meats, rich coconut curries his feet encrusted in longest in the world.) and spicy, tangy papaya mother-of-pearl. salads. With sleek décor and a location right next to the I A weekend trip to Where to stay: The Eugenia Chatuchuk, one of (267 Sukhumvit Soi 31, Skytrain, this restaurant is the the world’s largest tel. +66 2259-9011, perfect spot for an evening outdoor markets. theeugenia.com), a colonial- meal. Don’t miss his signature inspired mansion with only cocktails. Name means: Where the olive a dozen rooms, tucked away plum trees grow. (The official on Soi 31. A quiet break from the chaos of Bangkok, it is
24 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 The Kingdom of Siam The country’s recent era can be traced back to the mid-14th century, when several kingdoms were jockeying for power in the region. The Kingdom of Ayutthaya emerged as a strong monarchy, channeling its energies along the Chao Phraya River near Thailand’s central plains and establishing the city of Ayutthaya as the capital. Eventually calling the territory Siam, a name that Wat Chedi Luang held until the late 1930s, the Kingdom of Ayutthaya ruled until its fall at the hands of the Burmese in 1767. Chiang Mai With the city of Ayutthaya in ruins, Don’t miss: Luang, 3Sis is meticulously Siam’s new king, Taksin, moved the capital I The beautiful, old temple decorated in traditional northern to Thonburi, across the river from Bangkok. of Wat Chedi Luang in the Lanna style and features an Just over a decade later, Taksin was removed center of town, with one of attached restaurant and café, in a coup (and subsequently executed), and the oldest trees in Chiang free WiFi, spotless rooms and the new king, Rama I, relocated the capital Mai in its courtyard. a very friendly staff. The B&B is yet again to Bangkok proper, where it has I An afternoon visit to the a short walk to Chiang Mai’s since remained. temple on the hill, Wat Doi huge Sunday night market. The Chakri Dynasty, Rama I’s Suthep, which overlooks the descendants, have ruled Thailand ever city below. Where to eat: The Riverside Bar since, shifting from absolute monarchy (in and Restaurant (11 Charoenrat I A trip to the Elephant Nature which the monarch rules with total power) Park, a rehabilitation center Rd., tel. +66-5324-3239, to constitutional monarchy (limiting the for abused and abandoned theriversidechiangmai.com) is monarch’s power since he/she must rule elephants. Volunteers can located at the edge of the Ping along with a governing body) after a 1932 stay one day or a full week. River, with beautiful nighttime coup. In the years following the abolition of Strongly recommended views of the city just over the absolute monarchy, Thailand’s politics have instead of an elephant ride bank. Its expansive menu of seen an uptick in political protests, coup at a closer camp. curries, khao soi (local coconut- attempts and charges of lèse-majesté (insults based soup) and noodles offers I The Sunday night walking to the monarchy). Notwithstanding the market on Ratchadaemnon something for everyone. cycles of occasional violence, the most road. Bring your appetite recent in 2010, tourism in Thailand consis- since every temple courtyard tently bounces back. When violence does becomes a mini food court of occur, it is almost always confined to the its own. Cap off the night with epicenter of the protests. For example, in a foot massage on the streets. 2010 as Bangkok was under curfew and emergency rule, the islands to the south Name means: The new were unaffected by the clashes. walled city. Chiang Mai elephants It is worth noting that the country is extremely sensitive to any criticism of its Where to stay: 3 Sis Bed and Getting there: Air Asia monarchy, and lèse-majesté laws are some Breakfast (1 Phra Pokklao Soi 8, (airasia.com), Thai Airways of the strictest in the world. See “Thailand tel. +66-5327-3243, 3sisbedand (thaiairways.com) and Bangkok Basics,” on page 27 for more information breakfast.com). Located in the Airways (bangkokair.com/eng) about complying with lèse-majesté as these heart of Chiang Mai and around fly to Chiang Mai from Bangkok laws also affect travelers. the corner from Wat Chedi several times a day.
WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 25 Expat Writers
One of the more interesting ways to learn about a foreign country is through the eyes of its expats. Here are several websites and blogs written by Bangkok residents:
I Mark Wiens: Arizona-born writer who grew up in Kenya and the States. Wiens’ site emphasizes photography of food and the many attractions in Thailand and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Though based in Bangkok, he also writes about his travels through Asia and Africa. migrationology.com
I Greg Jorgenson: Canadian expat district, offering an air-conditioned who has lived in Thailand for respite from the oppressive humidity more than a decade. He writes outside. Bangkok’s large intercon- about the quirks and chaos in his nected malls near Siam station new home. gregtodiffer.com boast movie theaters and meticu- lous food courts. And Thais I Newley Purnell: American and foreigners alike populate trendy journalist living in Thailand and dance clubs and swanky rooftop bars. writing for a slew of different But it would be a mistake to rely publications. His personal on such initial judgments because the website focuses on the back- beauty of Bangkok lies in all of its ground to the stories he covers movement taken together, a dance that and other interesting happenings mesmerizes. Commuters flow in and in Thailand. newley.com out of the city on the Chao Phraya’s public boats, on buses and in minivans. I Austin Bush: An American Dozens of motorcycles huddle at the photographer who traveled front of any given traffic light, impa- to Thailand in 1999 and has tient to get moving again. Throughout remained there ever since. the day, the hectic rhythm of the city His photoblog, focusing stays constant. At dinnertime, office primarily on food, is not to be buildings and shops empty into the perused on an empty stomach— streets and Bangkok’s food stalls are it will make you hungry. Bangkok full of life, with sizzling woks and tiny austinbushphotography.com/blog Despite cycles of political plastic tables and chairs for those who intrigue and occasional want to grab a meal on the go. violence, Bangkok’s econo- Though the city appears extravagant my continues to flourish. Like many from afar, its spirit lies in the confluence capital cities, it receives an influx of of its many disparate groups of people. residents from around the region, Each back alley has a different feel, a contributing to the bustling chaos that specific type of food, a different cluster fuels the city from dawn until dusk. of residents. Like many capitals, Bangkok At first glance, Bangkok’s 21st-century has an overabundance of sights and additions shine through: The ultra- smells and noise, offering up miniature modern Skytrain whisks travelers from versions of the many provinces that the airport to the downtown business make up the country of Thailand.
26 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 Chiang Mai used as a place of worship). silk weaving and umbrella making. If Bangkok’s strengths lie in its chaos, Chiang Mai and its surrounding Further adventures are recommend- Chiang Mai’s assets are its relative areas provide days’ worth of sights to ed for those with more than a week to calm, emphasis on culture and its see. The city’s ancient walls flank the spare. To the north is Mae Hong Son, tantalizing proximity to the mountains. center of town on all sides, with four close to the Burmese border. The first Chiang Mai sits about 600 kilometers main gates (and several smaller ones) road connecting it to Chiang Mai (372 miles) north of Bangkok. Despite still intact. They are not only a beautiful opened in 1960, and today’s version has housing more than a million people, sight, lit up at night and glowing against a nauseating 1,864 curves to maneuver Chiang Mai remains a quieter alterna- Chiang Mai’s tiny moat, but also excel- on the six-hour drive (about 285 kilo- tive to Bangkok, with a history that lent markers for navigating the city. meters or 177 miles). The sleepy town developed in tandem with the south. Within the walls, it is easy to explore features several temples, including the Starting in the 13th century, the Lanna the many temples by foot; the roads are twinned temples of Wat Jong Klang and Kingdom ruled the north, flourishing set out in a grid with tiny alleyways Wat Jong Kham, many small family-run as a trade point between Yunnan in connecting the main thoroughfares. restaurants with Shan-style Burmese China and Burma. It fell to the Allocating a week to Chiang Mai food and an evening market around its Burmese in the mid-1500s and was allows for a thorough exploration of the tiny lake. It also presents an ideal jump- long ignored as Bangkok and its sur- city but also the flavors of the valleys ing-off point to learn about the hill roundings flourished. It was only dur- and towns that surround it. With no tribes of Northern Thailand, away from ing the last century that Chiang Mai water artery, getting around outside the the clusters of tourists that breeze saw a surge in development. moat is best effected with a motorbike through Chiang Mai. The Lanna Kingdom left its imprint taxi or a songthaew, a shared ride in the Bangkok and Chiang Mai are both on Chiang Mai, both on the temples form of a red covered pickup truck. popular tourist destinations in Thailand. and the ancient walls that trace a square The Mae Tang valley is a short day trip With distinctive foods, opposing around the old city. Northern Thailand out of the city, an adventure traveler’s urban architecture and captivating has a different feel, a language closer to paradise with mountain biking, rafting histories, taken together they provide Khmer and a Lanna style of architecture and more. In addition, smaller sur- a small snapshot of a complicated and with curled teak roofs and crumbling rounding villages provide a shopper’s beautiful country. stupas (large moundlike burial structures delight with handicrafts, Northern Thai
THAILAND WHEN TO VISIT: The most popular time to visit Thailand is between November and February, with a spike in pricing around Christmas BASICS time. Rainy season begins in earnest in early June, with the hottest months just prior, April and May. The islands to the south of Bangkok are affected by separate monsoon cycles. ENTERING THE COUNTRY: Thailand offers free 30-day visas to Americans upon arrival in any of its international airports, with 15-day visas offered for land entries. Overstaying your visa is not recommended. CURRENCY: Thailand’s currency is the Baht, available at ATMs throughout the country, with several large banks to choose from (1 USD=30 Thai Baht). Higher-end hotels and restaurants will accept credit cards but carrying Baht is recommended for day-to-day trans- actions, and will be appreciated at smaller stalls and lunch spots. PROCEED WITH CAUTION WHEN DISCUSSING THE MONARCHY: Given the country’s strict interpretation of its lèse-majesté law, travelers are strongly advised not to voice any negative thoughts about the monarchy. This includes statements about not just the king, but also others within the royal family.
WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 27 William J. Glackens
Remember the Maine! How a “splendid little war” put the United States on the map as a world power
BYEUGENEFINERMAN
On January 25, 1898, the USS would certainly lose. Yet, three To the American public, the Maine sailed into the harbor of weeks later, on February 15, the war could have been a Victorian OHavana, Cuba. The battleship was USS Maine was blown apart by an melodrama: a fair Cuban damsel in to anchor there for an unspecified explosion; the ship and 260 of its the clutches of a snarling Spanish time and had the vague assignment crew were lost. A faulty boiler was villain but rescued by the noble of protecting American interests. In most likely the cause, but America American hero. Indeed, this was how fact, the presence of the Maine was preferred to blame Spain. In a American newspapers depicted the a challenge to the Spanish rule of matter of months, Spain had conflict, and the underlying story Cuba. Spain would have had every surrendered its empire, America was fairly accurate. Cuba, Puerto right to protest the American trans- emerged as a world power, and the Rico and the Philippines were gression—but the weak European U.S. secretary of state described it the last remnants of the Spanish power chose not to provoke a war it all as “a splendid little war.” Empire. That empire once extended from Colorado to Tierra del Fuego, but assignment to Remington: “You furnish Remington provided the accompanying Spanish misrule had lost most of its the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.” sketch. We see a beautiful, naked woman colonies to rebellion. Davis, a novelist as well as a reporter, surrounded by those leering Latin Worse, Spain had learned nothing. showed no qualms about writing satyrs. So what if the story was untrue? It was as repressive and corrupt as ever. fiction. One of his most sensational Remington had drawn a masterpiece of In response, Cuba was in continual reports told of an American citizen, propaganda: an irresistible appeal to revolt; since 1835, there had been 11 “a refined young woman stripped and patriotism and prurience. attempts to overthrow Spain. The first searched by brutal Spaniards.” And in this fevered atmosphere, 10 had proved heroic fail- the USS Maine was ordered ures. However, the latest to Havana. A month rebellion, beginning in after the explosion, the 1895, had a strategy to U.S. Navy’s board of goad American interven- inquiry concluded that tion: the destruction of a Spanish mine sank the the tobacco and sugar ship. Modern scholars crops. Between 1894 and doubt it. Would Spain, a 1896, Cuba’s tobacco crop poor nation of 19 million, decreased from 450,000 provoke a rich industrial bales to 50,000. Its sugar power with a population exports dropped by of 72 million? A modern 80 percent. Depriving American fleet was but America of its pleasures hours from Cuba, ready was tantamount to an to blockade its ports act of war. and destroy any meager In 1896, the United reinforcements that States Congress passed Spain could send across resolutions supporting the ocean. Strategically the rebels and demand- and materially, Spain was ing Spain’s withdrawal hopelessly inferior; it from Cuba. Despite Left: American troops boarding transport steamer during the would never have dared the demand, which Spanish-American War. Above: A masterpiece of propaganda: to start the war. But proved popular with artist Frederic Remington’s front-page sketch for William Randolph in the spring of 1898, the American public, Hearst, of Spanish officials strip-searching an American woman America was not so President Grover tourist in Cuba. analytical and rational. Cleveland would not be A rallying cry resounded coerced into a war. His successor, across America: “Remember the Maine! William McKinley, was also reluctant. To Hell With Spain!” The decorated veteran of the Civil War The accuracy On April 20, the United States said, “I have been through one war. confronted Spain with an ultimatum. I have seen the dead piled up, and I of the reports If Spain did not immediately agree to don’t want to see another.” Cuban independence, America would But the war had already begun, was irrelevant. undertake a “forcible intervention.” at least in the American press. The Spain responded, four days later, with newspapers were competing with one This was the a declaration of war. Ironically, the first another to report the latest Spanish major battle in the crusade to free outrage in Cuba. The accuracy of the Cuba was fought in the Philippines. reports was irrelevant. This was the age age of yellow In the early morning of May 1, an of yellow journalism, and facts were American flotilla of four cruisers and never allowed to ruin a good story. journalism, and two guns sailed into Manila Bay. The To cover the atrocities in Cuba—or Spaniards were taken by surprise; their concoct them—New York Journal facts were never anchored fleet was a collection of old publisher William Randolph Hearst and unarmored ships. After the first assigned writer Richard Harding allowed to ruin two hours of battle, noting the feeble Davis and artist Frederic Remington. Spanish defense, American Commodore There is a popular account of Hearst’s a good story. George Dewey suspended the attack so
WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 29 that his men might have breakfast. Introducing Dixon’s New Afterward, the Americans resumed the battle and destruction of the Spanish fleet. Spain lost eight ships and control of Manila Bay; one American sailor 4" One-Piece Fig. 206 died of heat stroke. Manila itself was besieged. An army of Filipino insur- Frac Fittings gents, supported by the Americans, was surrounding the city. Throughout July, American soldiers landed in the Philippines, tightening the siege of Manila. Its fall was inevitable, only a matter of time or negotiation. The war in Cuba began in mid- June when the American army landed near Santiago, the island’s second largest city. An American fleet block- aded Santiago’s harbor while the army advanced on the hills that sur- rounded the city. The Spanish army had dug in and established a good defensive position on San Juan Hill. On July 1, the Americans attacked. Supplying water and sand slurry to a Hydraulic Fracturing site is a fast Accompanying the American troops paced transfer application suitable for Dixon's one-piece 4" Fig. 206 was Richard Harding Davis. If a Hammer Union. shameless propagandist, he was also a heroic correspondent. He was there !"#$% '()* +,,"%-. )(/ .$01 ./2)(),/03 $( ). ) .3.,/45 ,6/ .,/4 74)0/ $( at “the charge up San Juan Hill” and female), a heavy duty forged hammer nut and an interlocking ferrule offer described how… customer’s one-piece dependability that is interchangeable with hammer They walked to greet death at every union parts already in service. step, many of them, as they advanced, sinking suddenly or pitching forward in the high grass, but the others waded Features: on, stubbornly, forming a thin blue line that kept creeping higher and higher one-piece design; no leak path as experienced with two-piece up the hill. It was as inevitable as the threaded systems rising tide. "%,/(*6)%-/)80/ 9",6 *:((/%, +,,"%-.; 26)./ ,6/4 "%,$ 3$:( In his reports, Davis made special current operation note of one American officer: a New hammer nut forged to ASTM 105N standards; long lasting and York socialite, Harvard scholar and dependable former cowboy who was second-in- machined malleable iron stems to ASTM A47, all stems zinc plated; command of a cavalry regiment durable and safe with reliable hose retention known as the Rough Riders. For once, Davis was not exaggerating. Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt would return to New York, be elected governor and CallCaC lll oror clickclc icick to learnleaarnrn m more!orore!e within three years be president of the United States. With the Americans on San Juan Hill and the surrounding heights, Dixon Santiago was at the mercy of U.S. 800 High Street, Chestertown, MD 21620 artillery. The Spanish fleet was ph 877.963.4966 fx 800.283.4966 ordered not to surrender; so on July 3 its four cruisers and two destroyers dixonvalve.com sailed out on a quixotic venture customer service: 877.963.4966 against an American fleet of five
30 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 battleships and two cruisers. All the Spanish ships were sunk or run aground. One American was killed in the battle; 300 Spaniards died and 1,800 were captured. Two weeks later, the city of Santiago surrendered. On July 24, Spain asked for a cease-fire;
Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt would return to New York, be elected governor and within three years be presi- dent of the United States.
an agreement was signed on August 12. However, the news arrived a day late in the Philippines; on August 13 a combined force of Americans and the Filipino insurgents had captured Manila. So ended the “splendid little Theodore Roosevelt gained fame during the Spanish-American War as a “Rough Rider.” war”—an absolute American triumph. Illustration by Udo J. Keppler; July 27, 1898. Spanish and American diplomats met in Paris to negotiate the peace treaty. Spain signed away the last of importance. In the ensuing decade, right to military intervention, and its empire, ceding Cuba, Guam and America established itself as the Cuba could not enter into any treaties Puerto Rico to the victor. It sold the champion of free trade in China, the without American approval. As for the Philippines for $20 million ($560 mil- impartial arbiter of the Russo-Japanese other acquired colonies, a restless lion today). While ostensibly liberat- War, and the engineer and master Filipino population was pacified by ing Cuba, the United States had of the Panama Canal. The Great both military force and the promise of acquired its own empire. But President White Fleet, a force of 16 battleships, eventual independence; that was finally McKinley could rationalize this wind- demonstrated America’s reach by granted in 1946. Puerto Rico and fall. “Territory sometimes comes to us sailing around the world. Guam are still American territories. when we go to war in a holy cause. The United States did honor its The age of imperialism is over, but Shall we deny to ourselves what the commitment to Cuba, recognizing a sense of global responsibility remains. rest of the world so freely and justly the island in 1902 as an independent President Theodore Roosevelt said, accords to us?” republic. Yet America insisted on a “Even if we would, we cannot play a America had emerged as a world few unique prerogatives: until the small part.” power, and relished its strength and 1930s the United States had the
WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 31 DIXON SPOTLIGHT/
Reinvesting in American Manufacturing
> Dixon Quick Coupling will replace “We had added 20 jobs in Charlotte Moreover, the county’s economic its plant in Charlotte, N.C., with a new over the past 18 months,” Grace says. development team put together a very facility in nearby Gaston County, N.C., “We expect to hire more people to attractive package—including equipping that is on track to open during the first provide more American manufacturing the property with backup power quarter of 2013. jobs as business increases.” Dixon Quick generation to provide guaranteed “We had outgrown our existing Coupling manufactures pneumatic uninterrupted power. facility in Charlotte,” which was part of the acquisition of Perfecting Coupling in 1993, says Dixon President Bob “WE ARE GAINING 40 PERCENT CAPACITY TO HANDLE Grace. With the new 100,000-square- foot facility in the Gastonia Technology INCREASED DEMAND. WE ALSO HAVE ROOM TO EXPAND Park, “we are gaining 40 percent capacity THE BUILDING AS DEMAND REQUIRES,” SAYS BOB GRACE. to handle increased demand. We also have room to expand the building as demand requires,” says Grace. The new plant will be home to and hydraulic fittings used in the oil “They put a lot of time and money Dixon Quick Coupling’s manufacturing, and natural gas, agricultural, construc- into this land to attract businesses to customer service, warehouse and tion and industrial sectors. provide jobs for Gaston County,” says divisional headquarters, and will bring When Dixon began to search for a Grace. Dixon will be the fifth business more than 130 jobs to Gaston County. site for the new plant, Gaston County to locate in the Gastonia Technology Grace expects that many of Dixon’s emerged as the clear winner, Grace says. Park, next to Gaston College. employees at the Charlotte plant Gaston College, the local community “From the big strategic point of view, will move to the new facility. A college, is working with Dixon on a it is our desire to be a U.S. manufacturer, good number had already been variety of training programs, including to keep making our products in the commuting from homes in Gaston employee development, lean manufac- United States,” says Grace. “That’s our and Cleveland counties. turing and machine-specific training. vision as we move forward.”
Dixon’s new 100,000-square-foot facility in Gaston County, N.C., set for completion in early 2013, will bring more than 130 jobs to the area.
32 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 Tap Into Dixon’s Mobile App!
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dixonvalve.com customer service: 877.963.4966 KEEPING IT SAFE/BY PHIL KIMBLE
tool that kicks like a mule. The work is even more dangerous when certain Airing on the regulations aren’t followed. One particular crew, behind sched- ule before they started, was scurrying Side of Caution around making final preparations to begin the cleaning phase of the bridge- Compressed air is powerfully useful—and potentially painting contract they had landed. deadly, unless proper protective measures are taken After securing the scaffolding under the bridge, two workers climbed down onto the catwalk and awaited their > If you’ve ever endured road con- task. One such task is bridge mainte- chipping hammers to be lowered to struction (and who hasn’t) while mak- nance. Surface repair is the most them. As was their common practice, ing the daily work commute or during visible use. Structural maintenance, the workers didn’t secure their safety the family vacation trip, you may have such as cleaning and painting metal harnesses until they had their tools noticed burly men creating quite a bit surfaces, is less visible but far more and were in position to begin work. of dust while using tools that sound important to the safety of those With chipping hammer in hand, one like machine guns. Congratulations— traversing the bridge. Repainting is a worker began crossing to the far side you’ve just encountered a pneumatic necessary step for retaining structural of the scaffolding. jackhammer. integrity. Without paint, metal oxidizes About two-thirds of the way across, Air-driven tools powered by and weakens over time. Preparing the air supply line snagged. Without portable compressors can be found at the metal for paint is a hazardous thinking, the worker began to violently many job sites such as construction, job; workers must contend with an jerk on the tool’s whip hose (connected mining, quarries and, yes, road repair. awkward work space high above to the air supply line) in an attempt to These tools make quick work of what the ground or body of water, while free it. But instead of freeing the air otherwise would be a back-breaking wheeling around a heavy air-driven supply line from the snag, he pulled
34 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 the fitting out of it. Almost instantly, this ordeal with just a few bruises. 29 CFR 1926.302 (a)(10) states: Safety the whip hose recoiled violently, striking Compressed air is a very useful chains or equivalent means shall be him in the chest. The impact knocked form of energy at remote locations provided for each hose connection him off the scaffolding and he plunged because of its portability and its ability to prevent the line from thrashing several hundred feet to his death in the to travel great distances without power around in case the coupling becomes ravine below. Meanwhile, the air supply loss. But because of its compressibility, disconnected. Safety devices, such as King Safety Cable, are designed to comply with OSHA regulations for STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE, SUCH AS CLEANING portable compressed air and to AND PAINTING METAL SURFACES, IS LESS VISIBLE, prevent accidents like this from occurring. Anyone working with BUT FAR MORE IMPORTANT TO THE SAFETY OF THOSE or near compressed air should be TRAVERSING THE BRIDGE. familiar with these regulations and the proper use and installation of required safety devices. Let’s Keep line, moving with blinding speed, this energy source has grave dangers It Safe by following established safety struck the other worker in the back, associated with it. As a result, regula- regulations and using proper safety knocking him off the scaffolding as tions have been established to protect equipment and devices. Failure to do well. Luckily, he had anchored his safe- those working with and around it. so can have life-changing, or life- ty harness just moments before. Other Occupational Safety and Health ending, consequences. than severely rattled nerves, he escaped Administration (OSHA) regulation
Use safety clips. Donʼt risk dangerous hose whip from an accidental disconnection.
WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 35 HEALTH & FITNESS/BY SUE DE PASQUALE
(Es)chewing the Fat Dining out needn’t derail your diet
> Most of us find it easiest to maintain again. Consider that a double a healthy diet when we dine at home, cheeseburger at Burger King where we have some control over what is 370 calories (18 grams of we eat, how it’s prepared and the size of fat), while a TENDERCRISP our portions. chicken sandwich comes in at But in our time-crunched world, a whopping 750 calories—with 45 Now That’s Italian! eating out has become the new reality. grams of fat. Almost as bad is the Is there anyone left in the world who On average, Americans eat 4.2 meals Alaskan Fish Sandwich (590 calories; doesn’t recognize Fettucine Alfredo per week in a commercial setting, 31 grams of fat). Holding the mayo or (aka “heart attack on a plate”) as the according to the National Restaurant ultimate fat and calorie buster? So Association. For men ages 18 to 34, that first things first: Run from anything figure is closer to six meals a week. FORTUNATELY, IT’S EASIER with “Alfredo” in the title—including The good news? With a little THAN EVER THESE DAYS Olive Garden’s 1,440-calorie Chicken thought (and advance planning) it is Alfredo dinner, with its artery-clogging possible to enjoy a fast food lunch or TO GET A HANDLE ON 82 grams of fat. restaurant dinner several times a week THE NUTRITIONAL STATS Also on the list to avoid: Lasagna without packing on extra pounds. Some (the twice-baked dinner version at tips for what to order—and avoid: OF FOOD SERVED BY Macaroni Grill carries a calorie count RESTAURANT CHAINS. of 1,360, with 80 grams of fat) and Fast Food: Hold the Fat Chicken Parmesan (1,490 calories We’ve all been conditioned to look to and 68 grams of fat at Macaroni Grill). chicken or fish as a healthier substitute tartar sauce can cut these fat counts Fortunately, there are some tasty for beef. But when it comes to fast food by more than half and shave about Italian dishes that aren’t smothered in sandwiches, you might want to think 200 calories off each sandwich. cream, or bubbling with cheese. But a better strategy still is to avoid “Primavera” options, made with lightly any sandwich fillers that are breaded sautéed spring vegetables, can be your and fried. Instead, go for the grilled and best friend here. Olive Garden’s shrimp eschew the goopy toppings. Without primavera dinner, at 730 calories, mayonnaise, BK’s TENDERGRILL 12 grams of fat, won’t break your chicken sandwich is just 360 calories nutritional bank for the day. with 6 grams of fat. McDonald’s “Pomodoro” sauce (thicker than offers a similar option, with marinara, with chunks of tomatoes, similar stats, with its Premium garlic and basil sautéed in olive oil) Grilled Chicken Classic affords another flavorful choice. You Sandwich. And don’t turn your can enjoy a satisfying bowl of Spaghetti back on the beef. A regular roast Pomodoro at Carrabba’s and consume beef sandwich at Arby’s, for 530 calories and just 1.5 grams of fat. instance, can sate your appetite Take a similar tack when ordering while staying well within healthy pizza. A Margherita pizza, with its fresh calorie limits, at 320 calories and slices of mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, 14 grams of fat. is a filling but reasonable alternative
36 BOSS ᔢ FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 (280 calories/slice; 11 grams of fat at which comes in at a heart healthy Chipotle, for example, with steak, black Bertucci’s) to a pizza loaded with cheese 280 calories and 10 grams of fat. beans, brown rice, fajita vegetables, and meat. Whatever protein you choose fresh tomato salsa, cheese and lettuce, (chicken, pork, steak), be sure to bulk for a reasonable 580 calories and Mexican: Go Naked up on the numerous veggie options 20 grams of fat. To borrow a popular catch phrase used now available at Mexican chains, and by Mexican eateries, it’s best to “go opt for brown rice over white rice Plan Ahead naked” when navigating the fixings whenever possible for more fiber. You Fortunately, it’s easier than ever these lines of Mexican casual dining restau- can dig into a heaping burrito bowl at days to get a handle on the nutritional rants: Simply skipping the soft flour stats of food served by restaurant chains. tortilla on your burrito shaves more Many already post calorie counts on than 300 calories off your meal. their food items, and McDonald’s Along similar lines, follow your jumped on the bandwagon this past good health instincts by ordering fall, in advance of an expected federal a salad—but don’t eat the bowl! mandate for menu-labeling that is Despite its satisfying crunch, expected to go into effect in 2013. a tortilla bowl packs on more Go online before heading out the than 20 grams of fat and about door (or check the menu or your 350 calories. Much better to smartphone while standing in line) order along the lines of the naked to make sure your order isn’t a fat Mango Grilled Chicken Salad at and calorie bomb. Qdoba (with no cheese or sour cream),
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WWW . DIXONVALVE . COM FALL / WINTER 2 0 1 2 ᔢ BOSS 37 INVENTIONS/BY LISA DeNIKE
Packed with Power The development of the battery reflected the currents of the time
> Most of us don’t think twice when electricity. Enter the afore- popping a few AAA batteries into our mentioned Alessandro flashlights, TV remotes and clocks. Volta, of Milan, Italy. In Our only expectation is that they 1800, Volta discovered that some fluids Swedish scientist Waldemar keep the devices going and going could conduct electricity. After much Jungner addressed this issue in 1899 and going—just as promised by the trial and error, he learned that he could by inventing the first nickel-cadmium iconic bunny rabbit in the popular generate even more power by stacking rechargeable battery. Unfortunately, television commercials. pairs of copper and zinc disks on top of cadmium was expensive, so famed But like many things we take for each other, separated by brine-soaked American inventor Thomas Edison granted in our modern lives, the battery cloth or pasteboard (the electrolyte), in replaced it with less pricey iron. This has a fascinating history—a history that a “voltaic pile.” When the plates were may have been an example of the describes the development of electro- connected by wire, they produced axiom “You get what you pay for” chemical cells, which were crucial for electricity. Volta proudly presented this because the Edison battery didn’t industrial applications of electricity. breakthrough at the prestigious Royal perform very well. German scientists Until the advent of electrical generators Academy of London and published the Schlecht and Ackerman overcame such and electrical power grids in the late 19th results, making him famous. Today we problems by inventing something called century, people depended on batteries use the term “volts” to describe the the “sintered pole plate,” which carried as the main source of electricity. strength of a battery. larger currents longer. Many credit Italian Alessandro Volta’s battery was the first to emit a The nickel-cadmium battery Volta with inventing the first battery in steady, lasting current, but it didn’t last was used for many years, and for the late 1700s—but an archaeological for long and there were other drawbacks: many purposes. (Duracell, a company discovery, made in what today is Iraq, The metal disks corroded quickly, whose name is recognizable today, puts that into question. In 1936, railroad and the height of the voltaic stack began operating in 1964.) In the 1970s, workers dug up a clay jar, which held was limited. England’s John Frederich the first lithium batteries came into an iron rod surrounded by a copper Daniell solved that problem with his use, but they had the disadvantage cylinder. The object puzzled the finders. “Daniell Cell”: a jar half filled with of being nonrechargeable. (Lithium In 1938, German archaeologist Wilhelm copper sulfate solution, with a copper metal is inherently unstable.) Efforts Konig suggested that this device, if plate at the bottom. A zinc plate was to create a rechargeable version failed, suffused in an electrolytic food acid hung at the jar’s top and zinc sulfate and research moved to a lithium-ion like vinegar or lemon juice, could have solution was added, which, being lighter, combination, with the Sony Corporation been an early battery. Subsequent floated to the top and surrounded the commercializing the first lithium-ion experiments showed that the “Baghdad zinc plate. A wire connected to the zinc battery. Battery,” dating back 2,000 years, would plate represented the negative terminal, Today, there are a variety of have been capable of generating 1.1 to while a wire leading from the copper compact batteries of various types— 2 volts of electricity. plate was the positive terminal. This alkaline, lithium, carbon zinc, silver Fast forward 1,600 years and thou- worked well enough to power the tele- oxide and more—for different uses. sands of miles west, where a number graph and other stationary 19th-century These handy devices power many of of ingenious European and American electrical inventions. But even the our modern-day conveniences, from inventors were hard at work on the Daniell Cell had its shortcomings, hearing aids to cellular telephones to problem of generating and transmitting including that it was not rechargeable. digital cameras.
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