[SEL] Where is everyone?

[Kangas, James G.]

Hi Ernie,
     You're right and that's why I love pre WW I technology. It's open,accessable,teachable,and understandable to anyone willing to put a little effort in  to it.
You're luckily to have a Dad like you did. Mine despite being raised on a farm was not mechanically inclined and in fact seemed to disdain those that were. So I was left to my own devices. In the '60s they were building the Inter-State near my home and I learned that really big machines could be started with a really small button.When no one was around of course.
    Jim

________________________________

From: sel-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com on behalf of Arnie Fero
Sent: Fri 1/23/2009 2:00 PM
To: The SEL email discussion list
Subject: Re: [SEL] Where is everyone?



Hi Jim,

You hit on one of my main reasons for going to small local, fair type shows.  You
get an opportunity to reach young kids who have no clue what engines are all about.
In five minutes with an open crank engine, the kid really UNDERSTANDS it.

When I was a kid my dad would lift the hood on the family car and we'd discuss how
all the bits worked.  Eventually I got my hands on one of the simple old B&S
lawnmower engines and my buddies and I made a motor wagon.  That poor ol' engine was
taken apart and reassembled so many times it was nearly worn out from THAT activity.

Later I got my own car, a cheap clunker that also received a LOT of work.

Trouble is today with all the electronic gizmos you lift the hood you can't even see
the bloody engine, let alone work on it.  Same goes for the lawnmowers.  A kid just
doesn't have the same opportunity to learn.

See ya,  Arnie

On Thu, January 22, 2009 9:24 pm, Kangas, James G. wrote:
> I agree that there are regions in the U.S. where the art and mystery of things
> mechanical does survive but in general the skills and interest are in decline.




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