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Pastimes : Clown-Free Zone... sorry, no clowns allowed

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To: sandeep who wrote (54673)1/6/2001 10:21:32 AM
From: Mike M2  Read Replies (3) of 436258
 
Sandeep, since the auto was invented long ago we tend to overlook what a truly profound impact it had. I think there is a book called " The Machine that Changed the World" . Consider all the related industries that benefit from the production of autos: oil, steel,rubber, textiles,glass, copper, chemicals, machine tools. More recently plastics and semiconductors. Auto production required immense capital investment which was a great stimulus to growth. I think 6% of the work force is employed in industries related to the auto. We cannot stop there consider the impact of the internal combustion engine ( auto related) on farming productivity thus enabling a smaller percentage of the workforce to be engaged in the production of food enabling these workers to move to the city to work in factories. The tractor replaced draft animals ( horse, oxen) which freed up tens of millions ( I think) of acres of pasture and grazing land.( I have these figures somewhere in my mess of TL & EV papers) This land became available for the production of food for human consumption rather than farm animals. I have seen photos of combines drawn by forty horses which later became gas powered and required fewer human operators. We must not forget road building, suburbs, and the mechanization of construction equipment. I'm sure there is more to add but I think you can appreciate the significance of the gas engine. I will not argue about how profound the impact of computers et. al. will be in the future but I do suggest it has a VERY HIGH HURDLE to out do the gas engine. Mike ho ho ho
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