Jin Park writes [AIR 16:2]: Can anyone help me identify the disgruntled children in this photograph? This is a science puzzle, and I want to know the answer. My professor when I was living in the United States gave me this as a sort of humorous scientific historical gift. He was that kind of professor. […]
Tag: Air Vents
Mel at a Convention
Dr. Vreeland Heiss writes: [AIR 16:2] My uncle came into possession, shortly after the world war in the 1940s, of this photo which shows Mel, the little man who always appears in your pages. I have drawn the customary arrow to indicate his location in the image. Perhaps your readers can help me identify the […]
Incompetent Breath Test: Waxy?
Professor Bethea D. Royce writes [AIR 16:1]: My colleague Lee Forrester’s letter (AIR 15:6) about the history of breath testing equipment is charming. But unlike Lee, I have my suspicions about the photo of the famous Montague Laboratory experiments. Having examined the photo minutely, and having had more helpings of
A Watch What Question
Investigator Joseph Schoolcraft writes [AIR 15:5]: Perhaps one of your readers can help me identify the metal used to make the watch fob borne by the gentleman standing at the rear center of this photo. I have reason to believe he is none other then Helio More, the father of Drake More and uncle of […]
Mel Located at Lower Left, Reportedly
Investigator Lheal Chormnast writes [AIR 15:5]: You are going to hate me, and maybe you already do. But I have happy news! I apologize for taking up your time and so very many pages of your letters column. Thank you for publishing my now-sadly-lengthy series of letters (most recently in AIR Vents 15:4) in reproducing […]
Overhanded Imaging
“Perhaps one of your readers can solve this mystery. This drawing is in two of three copies I own (yes, I am a book collector) of the 1895 book 400 Versuche aus dem Gebiete der Mechanik, Akustik, Wärme, Optik, Elektricität. Uebungsbuch für den Experimentirkasten, Meiser and Mertig, editors, (4th edition, Dresden, Selbstverlag). My third copy […]
Schizophrenics as Tour Guides (3)
So many people cry that we should “get the schizophrenics off the streets.” Your editorial explains why, in some cases, that is exactly the wrong thing to do. While many schizophrenics are ill-equipped to function on their own, a surprisingly large percentage would thrive if they were given work that so well suits—and celebrates—their strengths. […]
Schizophrenics as Tour Guides (2)
Having undergone the training to become a tour guide, and having done the work for several summers when I was younger, and having over many years observed and interacted with many of the native London schizophrenics, I am certain that these gentlemen and ladies will, on the whole, be much better at the job than […]
Schizophrenics as Tour Guides
I endorse your editorial call (AIR 14:7) for having the local schizophrenics serve as tour guides to major cities. Here in New York we have an adequate supply of people who are qualified to train for the job. Having listened to bits of what the current official tour guides say, I feel sure that the […]
Lemonade Trials
I must disagree with Julia Robins (AIR Vents 15:1) about Dr. Deborah Anderson and the other doctors who did the Coca-Cola experiments that won the Ig Nobel prize. Robins said that Dr. Anderson said that “one of many reasons people should not use Coca-Cola as a contraceptive is that that ‘misplaced bottle caps can cause […]