Well, as it was me who proposed this time travel, it is time to add my story. Thanks to Estanis we have already visited Spain in 1492 trying to prevent the expulsion of non-Christians. Thanks to Luci we have also visited Austria and consulted Dr. Sigmund Freud. We even proposed him to invent some new therapy for some EC members! LOL! As to me, I will take you to Germany in 1876.
If I could travel in time, I would visit many places and meet many people as I have a lot of questions. But to avoid WWIII on EC, I decided to travel to Germany to meet with Nicolaus Otto. For those who may not know, Nicolaus August Otto was a German engineer who invented an effective gas motor engine in 1876. Mr. Otto built the first practical four-stroke internal combustion engine called the "Otto Cycle Engine" and as soon as he had completed his engine, he built it into a motorcycle. Otto's contribution in engineering was very significant. His four-stroke engine universally adopted for all liquid-fueled automobiles started the era of many world problems we are facing now. If such an engine hadn’t been invented, we wouldn’t be moving so fast to the razor edge. In fact, we are already balancing on that edge. So, if I could meet Mr. Otto, I would ask him not to turn his bicycle into a motorbike. I would explain him that riding a bicycle is much safer and healthier for him, for others and for the environment. I would tell him what grave consequences of his invention we face living in the present. I am sure that either Mr. Nicolaus Otto or Mr. Gottlieb Daimler or others who were at the beginning had no idea where their inventions might lead us.
Of course, I don’t mean we have to refuse from our cars or motorbikes but I’d like us to analyze the consequences of the internal combustion engine invention. I would say they are dramatic and tragic: air pollution, fatal diseases, oil wars, obesity, high mortality and much more.
However, if I even met Mr. Otto, I am sure he wouldn’t listen to me and would invent his engine anyway! I think he was too lazy to bike and laziness has always been an engine of the technical progress.
Comments
Dear Onee, we all are the same. We can't already live without our vehicles. Honestly, it is really impossible to move without a car in my area where we have to cover long distances and where is no public transport.
Well, let me correct your sentence:
And now he proves to have created the lazy generation (or He seems to...)
And now it proves he seemed to create the lazy generation. :D :D
Once, I taught students about dangerous gas of motorbike. But, they were really critical. "Teacher, why did you come by motorbike here?" (at near distance) :p
Dear Bet, you are more than welcome!
Tata, I tell you, I am not going to get rid of our cars. Well, you know, I answer the questions I am asked when I am asked but not before.
Thanks for the information!
Danny, HA-HA-HA-HA! I do know you are serious about the engine, but do you really want us to return to the Middle Ages? Remember, in those times such people like us and our friends were burnt to death! Would you like me to tell your EC friends about the number of your cars?
Dear Risty, first of all, there are special government programms for gifted students. Besides, many of my students work part-time. Many people work full time and study part time. There are always many different possibilities for those who see their goals.
Dear Bet, my patents are in the field of polymeric materials used in surgery and prosthetics. It is a very special field. Not to go into details, such materials are used in manufacturing of different implans like heart valves, ligamets, tendons, joins, etc.
If someone wants to be one that person should devote his/her time and full attention to the craft---specific field of science. Who will feed you? How can you provide things for your studying and research? Who will fund you?
Dear Luci, if I ever retire still being alive, I will think about your idea! Hahaha! Of course, we can't refuse from our cars. I can only imagine myself riding a bike 60 miles to my work every morning! If I even got there, the classes would be over and I would have to ride back! But I hope, the future of the automobile industry is electric vehicles or something more effective
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